Demolition before Remodeling: Salvage Useful Materials

dmhome • Sep 26, 2017

If you are planning to demolish an existing structure to remodel, one thing you want to do if possible is to go slow. While your natural inclination may be to go as fast as possible during the demolition phase, you could end up wasting thousands of dollars of valuable material.

While some building contractors and even you as homeowner may balk at the thought of pulling apart a room piece by piece, the benefit will outweigh any annoyances. Deconstruction material is broken down into two main classes, construction and ornamental and appliances.   Some of these valuable and reusable items that should be removed before taking a wrecking ball to a demolition job include:

  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Cabinets
  • Fixtures
  • Column
  • Mantles
  • Sidings
  • Lumber
  • Molding and Trim
  • Hardwood flooring

Some material is recyclable such as roofing and bricks. If the roofing material is fiberglass or asphalt, it can be repurposed for driveways and parking lots.   Bricks can be reused in walkway, as decorative dividers in gardens. Depending on the amount of bricks, these can be sold to companies that deal in aggregates. Some lumber can be sold to landscape companies that turn these into mulch. Wallboard/drywall made from gypsum can be recycled and there are companies that purchase this material.   Depending on the age of the ornamental items recovered, some have historical value.

While you may not want to or cannot reuse all or some of these on your new addition or remodeled house, you could sell them and make a profit. It is a good idea to consider reusing material that is still good and save on your construction project. Also, if you have plans to do further additions later on, keeping interior doors and windows that are in good condition make sense. When doing additions, having similar doors and windows is often preferred. Finally, deconstructing an older structure rather than demolition is also environmentally friendly. There is less dust and noise pollution, and wastage of valuable material. In addition, by reusing some material you help to reduce the pressure on landfills.

However, if you really have time constraints, select specific rooms to deconstruct instead of the entire building. In choosing rooms for demolition, make sure they have the least valuable items for reuse.   For many homeowners, partial deconstruction is the best option.

Before you start your project, locate recycling centers close to your location. If the recycling plants are too far away, it will not be economical to get the material to the plant. Give us a call at 301-948-0100 to schedule a consultation with us.

Luxurious Look Of A Kitchen — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
The kitchen still retains its spot as one of the most important rooms in the home. See the complete article to see the options available to you and choose the ones that work best for your home and your lifestyle.
Basement Remodel — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
Renovating your basement will help you to get rid of clutter in other parts of the home. Incorporate built-in storage to help you get organized. Contact D & M Enterprises to get free estimates.
Beautiful Bathroom — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
Brighten Your Bathroom with these 6 Easy Light Enhancing Ideas. It doesn’t matter if your bathroom is the size of a closet or if it is a huge master bath, you may still feel like it needs to be brighter and more appealing. Contact D & M Enterprises at (301) 948-0100 to book an appointment.
Home Remodeling — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
Planning a remodel? We would be happy to help you with the design and implementation of your unique remodeling ideas. Contact D & M Enterprises today!
Kitchen Cabinets — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
Add Functionality to Your Kitchen with New Cabinets with these five cabinet recommendations. Contact D & M Enterprises today!
Bathroom Vanity And Sink — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 11 Jan, 2020
No matter what type of bathroom you have in your home, the vanity plays a pivotal role in the overall look and function of the space. Contact D & M Enterprises for a free estimate!
Home Improvements Before Holiday — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 12 Nov, 2019
Are you ready for the holidays yet? We didn’t think so! Here are three things you need to update in your home before the holidays. Contact D & M Enterprises for a free estimate!
Home Remodeling Projects — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 12 Nov, 2019
The Holidays are Quickly Approaching Complete At least One of These 5 Remodeling Projects Now! Contact D & M Enterprises for a free estimate!
Home Remodel Without Being Broke — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 19 Jul, 2019
Sometimes we put off bathroom remodeling because we want to wait until we have enough money to do something really special. It is easy to feel tempted to spend big on your bathroom upgrade. New products are revealed frequently, and bathroom trends occasionally change. Neither of these factors have to influence your plans, as many low cost ideas can lead to big results. Refinish the bathtub. While an old bathtub can be unsightly, it doesn’t necessarily have to be replaced. Refinishing is a far cheaper option and it can make the bathroom look like new. Removal and installation are other costs you have to face if you decide to replace the tub. Get a new faucet. A new, shiny faucet will instantly show that you have done some work in the bathroom, even with few other improvements. A new faucet can also add a modern or retro touch, depending on your preference. Choose a new paint color. A different color can give the space a big lift, making it seem like you spent more on the remodel. Browns, blues, greens and grays can help to create a relaxing atmosphere. Freshen up grout and caulk. Dingy grout and caulk can give the bathroom a similarly dingy appearance. Fresh, clean caulk will help to brighten up fixtures. Clean the grout to give new life to tiles. Repurpose when you can. An old cabinet can become a new bathroom vanity once it’s refinished. If you want wood floors, you can use reclaimed wood from an old building, making your bathroom remodel greener. Update the lighting. New light fixtures can quickly revitalize the look of any room. Consider adding sconces on either side of the mirror, or add a lighted mirror. Choose a pre-fabricated shower. A shower that comes ready to be installed will cost much less than tiling the shower area. While tiles give you design range, an attractive pre-fabricated shower can still make a statement.  If you are remodeling the bathroom on a budget, try to focus mostly on DIY tasks. Anything you can do on you own will lower your expenses. However, keep in mind that there will be tasks you cannot handle, although they may not always be considered major changes. Putting in a new toilet for example, may require a professional, but this is still affordable for most homeowners.
Custom Kitchen Ideas — Gaithersburg, MD — D & M Enterprises
By D & M Enterprises 19 Jul, 2019
Decorating the kitchen can be an enjoying task since you have so many attractive elements to work with. These numerous elements can be a lot to handle if you are trying to get the perfect custom kitchen, but here are some ideas that will help. Embrace patterns. People often try to keep their tiles basic to avoid over designing, but there is no reason why can’t have some fun with attractive and tasteful patterns. Use tiles transitionally. If you are struggling to find ways to move between different elements and tones, use your tiles to create an attractive transition between these areas. This will help to simply your selection process. Try open shelving. If you worry that the kitchen feels crowded, open shelving might be the answer. It helps to open up the space and give it an airy feel. This is one way to make a small kitchen feel larger. Splurge on lighting. Even the most expensive lighting fixtures will not take up much of your kitchen budget. Look around for the most attractive options that add style and luxury to the kitchen. Use layered lighting to improve the look and to make the space functional. Try a darker palette. In the past, designers and homeowners alike shied away from using dark tones in the kitchen. Now it is one of the hottest trends, so don’t be afraid to go for deeper blues and grays. Even black can work in the kitchen to dramatic effect. Add a kitchen island. Some people are skipping the island in favor of open layouts, but this feature still has plenty to offer. For one thing, it can anchor the design of the space. More importantly, it can serve different purposes such as storage, a dining area and a meal prep area. Kitchen islands can also have racks attached for cookbooks and spices. Warm it with wood. Wood can work in any part of the kitchen, whether it’s the floor, countertop, or as a backsplash. The natural grain of this material comes in different shades, so you can find something for any color scheme. Over time, as it darkens, it adds even more character to the kitchen. To get an attractive custom kitchen, strive for a balance between the items you should splurge on, and the areas where you can save. Pricier features can last longer, but make sure that they are in keeping with current trends so you do not have to make changes too quickly.
More Posts
Share by: