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Deconstruction: One Path to Green Remodeling
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P5-Blue Jean insulation is cotton batt insulationmade from blue jeans that is treated so it is fire and insect proof. It can be blown in or installed in strips but has none of the itchy qualities of fiberglass. Photo courtesy of Legal Eagle Contractors, Bellaire, Texas | Deconstruction, as opposed to demolition, is one path remodelers can follow to become green remodelers.
With demolition, a house that is being remodeled is torn down and the materials are discarded, most of them ending up in landfills.
By contract, the deconstruction process involves deliberately taking apart the home and collecting the materials to be resold, reused or recycled. Deconstruction also earns remodelers points on a green remodeling project under the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, a helpful tool remodelers can use when planning a deconstruction and remodeling project.
Under the guidelines, points can be earned for:
- Reusing salvaged materials (five points)
- Providing onsite bins to sort or store scrap materials (six points)
- Using recycled content building materials (three points)
- Onsite recycling (five points)
- Recycling construction waste off-site (six points)
Remodeler and custom home builder Scott Sevon, GMB, CGR, CAPS, CGP, of Chicago-based Sevvonco deconstructs the homes he plans to rebuild or remodel by working with Habitat ReStores, a retail outlet of Habitat for Humanity that takes donated materials from deconstructions and other sources and resells them ― with the proceeds supporting its home building projects.
Sevon said deconstruction with materials donated to ReStores or similar organizations can earn home owners tax deductions for the donations, which can help defray some of the costs of the remodeling project.
Sevon also said he works with trash collection companies to arrange for recycling materials when they cannot be donated, reused or resold.
“Things that we can’t reuse or are damaged ― such as concrete, drywall, steel, copper and countertops ― can be recycled,” said Sevon.
He makes arrangements with the trash companies for them to pick up and separate the deconstruction materials from his remodeling job and deliver the materials to recycling centers. Almost every major item in a house can be recycled, said Sevon, including piping, gypsum, metals, beams, wire and fixtures. The trash company he works with can recycle 75% of discarded materials.
While deconstruction and recycling often can take more time and effort than demolition, Sevon said the benefits outweigh these minor challenges. In addition to tax credits and points through NAHB's green building guidelines, Sevon often reuses some of the materials he salvages on one project in another project he is working on, saving some costs on new materials. “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” said Sevon.
In addition, the cost of deconstruction is comparable to demolition, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In an EPA article on a deconstruction in Philadelphia conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance the EPA found that the costs of deconstruction were “$8.94 per square foot, which falls within the range of the average hand demolition cost ($7.75 to $9.30 per square foot).
Sevon suggested that remodelers contact their local remodelers council or home builders association for deconstruction and recycling resources in their area.
“Be aware that you can deconstruct,” said Sevon “You don’t have to demolish a home. There are companies out there that want the materials.”
To learn more about deconstruction, visit the EPA Web pages on resource conservation of construction and demolition materials.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 1,000 people have earned the CGPdesignation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 ‘Profit From Green Building’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Profit from Building Green — Award-Winning Tips to Build Energy Efficient Homes,” available through BuilderBooks.com, showcases what energy conscious award-winning builders are doing, provides innovative energy-efficient features and covers successful techniques for building this niche market.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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