5 Reasons Why Deconstruction Is Not As Expensive As You Think

If you are just beginning to learn about deconstruction, you may have heard about the tax benefits it offers. By preserving the value of the fixtures and furnishings in your deconstructed space and donating them, you garner a valuable tax deduction that helps to offset the cost of the deconstruction process. In many cases, the tax savings alone makes deconstruction not as expensive as demolition.

Many people comparing the two processes stop right there, satisfied by that bottom line savings. But there are more ways that deconstruction pays dividends, far beyond the tax savings. In fact, the deconstruction process can begin adding value at the very start of your building process and continue to add value long after it’s over. Here’s why deconstruction is not expensive.

Skilled Labor and Time Savings

Because deconstruction takes more time and is more labor-intensive than demolition, the charges for labor are traditionally higher overall. In fact, unlike demolition, labor is the most costly aspect of the deconstruction process. However, because it requires more skill and is a more care-filled process than demolition, deconstruction can result in fewer accidents and, consequently, fewer injuries on the job site. That translates into less lost-time, less liability, and fewer workers-compensation claims than a traditional demolition process.

Deconstruction Lowers Transportation Costs

Traditional demolition projects require extensive haul-away in order to remove all of the furnishings, fixtures, and building materials. These have to be transported from the building site to landfills in the area and beyond. Now add in travel to specialized disposal sites and transportation costs can quickly skyrocket. A deconstruction process, on the other hand, means that willing recipients remove and distribute materials from the job site as part of processing the donation. That saves time, labor, and fuel costs.

Deconstruction is not Expensive Because of Minimal Disposal Costs

There are minimal disposal and landfill fees to pay when you donate salvaged materials. Because the secondary market for deconstructed materials is so vast, almost everything can find a new life in a construction or rehab project, secondhand building supply store, or as a donation to a school or charitable organization. This means instead of adding to the ever-increasing proliferation of landfills, you’re doing something great for the community.

In addition, demolition processes are frequently sidetracked by the discovery of hazardous materials. This can cause work to grind to a standstill and increase disposal costs significantly. Because of its more measured approach, deconstruction allows you to plan ahead for such eventualities without sidetracking the rest of your project.

Commercial Value of Green Buildings

Looking for LEED Certification for your new project, or just want to burnish your credentials as a Green builder? Deconstruction can do both, allowing you to charge a premium for your construction and renovation services. If you’re a homeowner considering deconstruction, think about the value added to your resale for a certified Green home. Instead of an empty but necessary expenditure like demolition, the deconstruction process can actually add value before, during, and long after it’s completed. Ultimately, deconstruction is not expensive after all.

Deconstruction is Not Expensive Because of the Economic Advantages

The advantages of deconstruction go far beyond your individual project. The use of donated and resold materials allows for repairs and improvements in buildings and communities sorely in need of affordable supplies. Charitable organizations are able to fundraise and do more work for those they serve through the revenue generated by your donation. Because it requires more time and skill, deconstruction provides additional jobs for laborers in your community. That means that what’s good for you is also good for your town and the larger economy as a whole.

Contact Us for a Consultation

Whatever your project, deconstruction can make it more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly. Our no-obligation appraisal is the first step toward finding out how deconstruction can improve the bottom line. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation!