My friend is about to demolish her house to make way for a new build, and we've got just one day to salvage anything we can! The demo crew has the permit and will start tomorrow, but she originally thought she wouldn't worry about saving anything since time was tight. What items do you all recommend we remove before the demo? Just to note, we already have a company coming to take out the AC units since I'm not comfortable handling that. The house is a two-story, 4-bedroom place with about 2,400 square feet, and I'm definitely not going up on the roof to take off shingles.
4 Answers
You should definitely consider pulling out appliances like the fridge, stove, and dishwasher. Those can be donated or sold if they're in good shape! Also, light fixtures, faucets, and anything else that might be valuable—like doorknobs or light switches if they're vintage. Don't forget about the copper pipes if you can access them; those can fetch some cash at a scrap place!
I'd recommend stripping the house bare of anything useful! Easy picks include all appliances, doors with hinges still attached, light fixtures, and outlets. For tougher jobs, consider mirrors and vanities, or even the hot water heater and AC unit. Just be careful with older homes due to lead paint—it's a good idea to leave some things alone if you suspect it. And seriously, don't mess with garage door springs!
If the wood floors are real, definitely consider those! They can be really valuable for reuse. Also, anything in good condition that you can sell, like cabinets, will also be a win!
You could also think about removing a special door or window and install it in the new place. It might add a nice vintage touch to your new build!
Totally agree, especially on the lead paint—better to be safe than sorry! Always good to do a bit of research on the house's age.