If You Want to Remodel your New Jersey Home, try Deconstruction instead of Demoliton

Deconstruction—the careful removal of salvageable hardwood flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, doors and nearly everything that makes a house a house—is gaining momentum. As a result, more than three-fourths of the house can be re-used and recycled, instead of ending up in the dump. More than 30% of waste that goes into landfills consists of building and construction materials, much that can still be used.

Besides being easier on the Earth, deconstruction—if you donate your home’s salvageable materials to a nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity ReStore—can be lighter on the pocketbook than demolition. However, initial costs don’t reflect that. The average one-week demolition is $10,000 to $20,000. Deconstruction, which can take a month or two, is typically $20,000 to $35,000.  Deconstruction takes someone who isn’t afraid of waiting until taxes are filed to get the money back.  To recoup costs, you have to hire an appraiser who specializes in deconstruction.

“Deconstruction means taking it apart by hand instead of by machine,” says Lance Houston, owner of Houston Excavating and Demolition in Liberty, Mo. “Habitat ReStore takes out what can be salvaged—sinks, cabinets, so forth. We’ll de-nail it, cut off bad ends, band it and wrap it to go to Habitat ReStore. All metals, like copper piping, can be salvaged at the scrap yard.”

On average, more than 75% of a home can be reused and recycled. Items that typically can’t be repurposed, explained Mark Bullock, deconstruction manager for Habitat ReStore in Kansas City, Mo, are insulation, PVC pipes, roofing, old carpet, brittle sheathing and fragile tile.

If you would like to consider this environmentally-friendly way to remodel your New Jersey home, contact me for names of appraisers who understand the process and your financial commitments.

Joe Giancarli, SA
Real Estate Advisor
609-658-2612
jgiancarli@remax.net
http://www.joegiancarli.com/
http://www.njhomesource.com/
http://www.njhomesource.blogspot.com/
www.activerain.com/blogs/josephgiancarli

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