Guides4Homeowners Useful Information & Guides
Why is it that when people think of going green during home improvement they almost always think of recycled glass counters, old jean insulation, etc. Why is it that no one ever thinks of going green during the demolition process? Yes folks, it is possible and here’s how.
When removing old fixtures, that are reusable, be extremely careful. Use a small crowbar for delicate removals, such as mouldings. When removing mirrors use painter’s tape to ensure that they don’t shatter or break while being removed. Once removed wrap them in old blankets to protect them. For old cabinets look inside for the screws holding them to the wall and to the counter tops. Unscrew the screws and gently pry the counter top up first. If this is salvageable, set it off to the side. Next gently pull the cabinets away from the walls. When boarding up or removing old fireplaces carefully remove the mantel and breast pieces from the wall. Another great thing to re-purpose are old doors and door knobs. Simply remove the door from the old hinge and/or unscrew the old door knobs from the door itself. For old flooring use a small crow bar to gently pull up each and every plank. Discard damaged planks and carefully pile up re-usable planks.
Now that you have stacks and stacks of reusable items its time to do something with them. Look for salvage yards that purchase or put used home improvement goods on consignment. If you can’t find one then look for a local Habitat For Humanity Restore. These stores take donations of salvaged and new construction items and then sell them to fund the Habitat For Humanity home building projects across the country. Can’t find them locally either? Go online to Gumtree and post the items you have. Given a reasonable price quote, persons with old homes to remodel, will quickly scoop up your used goods.
Speaking of reasonable quotes, what is a fair price to charge for your used home improvement items? As part of my business I wheel and deal used home improvement goods all the time. Generally speaking I try not to ever pay over 50% of what I could purchase the item for at the home improvement store new. Now, there are exceptions to that rule. For genuine antiques such as glass doorknobs, mercury doorknobs, mahogany mantels, etc. you should expect to charge more then 50% of current value or, depending on the item, above what the current retail value of a reproduction would be. This also has its exceptions. For example, if the item is damaged or needs minor to major renovation in any form you would obviously charge less for it.
