Deconstruction
Deconstruction is an alternative to traditional demolition!
Finger Lakes ReUse can identify and survey suitable buildings for deconstruction, assist contractors in learning deconstruction techniques that offer the greatest salvaging, and sell materials through our ReUse Centers at affordable prices.
By utilizing deconstruction, at least 90% of building materials can be prevented from going to landfills (Constructing a Circular Economy in New York State: Deconstruction and Building Material Reuse). Finger Lakes ReUse works to maximize the amount of materials that can be reused, support local workforce development in deconstruction, and expand community awareness of deconstruction.
Support Local Green-Collar Jobs | Reduce Environmental Impact | Preserve Valuable Resources
Service Offerings
ReUse serves Tompkins County and the surrounding counties in the Finger Lakes Region by offering a range of deconstruction services to satisfy community needs and achieve our overarching mission of enhancing community, economy, and environment through reuse. Our deconstruction services are offered in 3 distinct options:
Deconstruction Consultation
At the request of owners or contractors we offer a series of consulting services that provide the basis for waste diversion in residential and commercial buildings.
Pre-Deconstruction/Demolition Salvage Surveying – Perform a pre-deconstruction salvage survey for the owner or general contractor to estimate and itemize material. This audit helps determine the quantity and range of salvageable materials for resale or divertable material from landfills.
Deconstruction and Building Waste Diversion Consultation – Provide deconstruction process recommendations to maximize salvage and resale value. For materials that cannot be salvaged, we provide recommended waste management strategies that maximize diversion from landfills, including a breakdown of a material management plan (salvage, recycle, landfill).
Deconstruction Project Services and Management
We offer deconstruction services and project management to owners and contractors. This can include surveying buildings for salvageable material, finding qualified contractors when beyond our in-house capacity, managing project timelines, and assisting owners in obtaining the highest value for salvageable materials through direct buyers or tax-deductible donations to our reuse centers. Types of deconstruction/salvage include:
Whole Building – Based on building type, deconstruction may necessitate hybrid/panelized removal with machinery or full human labor deconstruction.
Structural – Removal and salvage of structural elements due to high value/high quantity/ count with high strength to ensure easier transportation.
Non-Structural/Components – Partial deconstruction model to be paired with conventional demolition to maximize waste diversion. This can be the removal of the interior or exterior components of a building for entire assemblies (roof/floor/wall) or per room basis to ensure salvageable material is diverted from the waste system.
Salvage – Focuses on salvaging high-value finishes, millwork, carpentry, and appliances.
Reuse and Salvage Logistics
Rough Salvaged (Un-Processed) Building Material Pick Up and/or Donation Intake. We accept rough, unprocessed building materials through drop-off at one of our ReUse Centers or direct pick-up depending on quantity.
Process
If you want to learn more about this program or have a building and you would like to understand its feasibility for deconstruction, please fill out the online form or contact our Deconstruction Program Coordinator.
AVAILABLE MATERIALS
Check out our Available Material Inventory, which includes salvaged materials from our local projects or have a material you would be interested in being kept up on if it becomes available? Fill out our ReUse wishlist.
LEARN MORE
For more information on deconstruction, consider visiting one of the following partner organizations or watching the following video prepared by the City of San Antonio’s Deconstruction & Circular Economy Program.
Build Reuse is a national nonprofit organization encouraging the recovery, reuse, and recycling of building materials and empowers communities to turn construction and demolition waste into local resources.
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CR0WD (Circularity, Reuse, Zero Waste Development) is a collaborative network in New York State that has developed and supported iniatives to expand deconstruction services and reuse of building materials.