Every contractor and builder has to deal with construction debris removal. This is especially true if demolition is involved. But there are alternatives.

 Demolition, the traditional approach to removing an existing structure, is often simpler, faster, and may times less expensive than deconstruction. The planning is easier and the task is straightforward: "Tear it down and haul it off."

But is there a better way?

According to Rebuildingexchange.org there is,

Deconstruction is the process of taking a building apart one piece at a time with the goal of reusing as much salvaged material as possible. It is a manual process, as opposed to demolition, which is done with a wrecking ball and bulldozer.

Simple enough so far. But what are the advantages to an approach that is manual and time-consuming? They go on to point out that:

You will save the building materials from a landfill. Building demolitions account for 48% of the nation’s waste stream. Deconstructing a building and salvaging the materials diverts them from this tremendous waste stream.

You will save energy and greenhouse gases. It takes a lot of energy to make a building from raw materials. Bricks are baked. Lumber is felled and milled. Copper is mined, processed, and manufactured into wire, pipes, and gutters. PVC, or vinyl, is made through energy-intensive (and highly polluting) processes into flooring, siding, and plumbing.

All of these things are transported hundreds if not thousands of miles. You may incur a tax benefit or earn some cold cash. If you donate the materials, you can write off the appraised value of your donated materials on your tax return. A certified appraiser can help you determine just how much your materials are worth.

Also, you can always sell them for cash. There is a growing market not only for architectural artifacts (i.e., fireplace mantels) but also for used building materials (i.e., lumber and bricks). See the “materials” section of your local Craigslist site for ideas.

The Greener Side of Construction Debris Removal

How much construction and demolition (C&D) waste are we talking about anyway? According to the EPA and other agencies, the amounts are quite significant.

Deconstruction Can Take Longer and Require More Work

Deconstructing a building is a somewhat labor-intensive process. However, the time it takes to deconstruct a house varies widely, depending on the methods used, the size and type of construction and the site conditions. A city house on a dense block with little room for a staging area, for example,  will probably require more care and more time than a rural house with plenty of elbow room.

In fact, the deconstruction of a 2000 square-foot frame house could take anywhere from one day to 9 weeks. While 9 weeks may sound like a long time, keep in mind that this work can be done while you wait on building permits or other administrative processes.

But the upsides can far outweigh the work and the wait. 

• Salvaged materials typically less expensive than new.
• They are often beautiful and well-made. When most of the older houses were built, materials and labor were less expensive than they are now, and craftsmanship more highly valued. 
• They don't end up in a landfill. Typically, building demolitions account for 48% of the U.S. waste stream. By reusing materials you divert them from a landfill and lengthen their useful lives. 
• It saves on the energy, materials, and pollution involved in manufacturing new materials. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, new construction consumes 60% of all materials used in this economy every year, excluding food and fuel. The manufacture of these materials consumes vast amounts of energy and natural resources.

Expert Help for Your Construction Debris Recycling

Part of the beauty of outsourcing the pick up and disposing of your construction waste is the convenience. But, just as important, is the very real impact that having your debris recycled and reused. California is one of the leading states in the processing and reuse of concrete and other waste building materials, and Sonoma County contractors are a big part of that movement.

Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly construction waste disposal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick up or disposal of the debris after your project is complete. Whether you need our services several times during a construction project or just once after it is complete, our hauling professionals will ensure that the construction debris is out of your way so that you can get on with the job.

Our team specializes in construction debris removal. We can be at your facility in mere minutes, so call us today! Our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

One of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we do recycle much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service. If you have questions about what we do or what we believe, give us a call at (707) 744-4254.