Salvage & Deconstruction
Professional deconstruction that recovers valuable lumber from buildings slated for removal. Preserve materials, earn tax credits, reduce landfill waste, and contribute to Portland's circular building economy.
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Deconstruction Done Right
Dismantle, Don't Demolish
Mechanical demolition turns an entire building into a pile of debris in hours. It is fast, but it destroys every board, beam, and piece of trim in the process. All of that material — much of it old-growth lumber that cannot be replicated — goes straight to the landfill.
Deconstruction takes a different approach. Our trained crews carefully dismantle structures by hand, working in reverse order of construction to remove boards whole and intact. The process takes longer than demolition, but the result is thousands of board feet of reusable lumber, significant tax benefits, LEED credits, and a dramatically smaller environmental footprint.
Our Process
How Deconstruction Works
A systematic, six-step process from initial site visit to fully processed, documented reclaimed lumber.
Initial Assessment
Our salvage team visits your site to evaluate the structure, identify recoverable materials, assess species and dimensions, and estimate the volume of reusable lumber. We provide a written report within 48 hours.
Salvage Plan
We develop a detailed deconstruction sequence that maximizes material recovery while maintaining site safety. This includes timelines, crew requirements, equipment needs, and material handling logistics.
Permitting & Coordination
We handle or assist with deconstruction permits, utility disconnects, and coordination with your general contractor or demolition company. We can work as the lead or as a subcontractor.
Careful Deconstruction
Our crews dismantle the structure by hand and with light machinery, working in reverse order of construction. Boards are removed whole rather than shattered, preserving the maximum usable length.
Material Sorting & Transport
Recovered lumber is sorted by species, dimension, and condition on-site. Reusable material is loaded onto our flatbeds and transported to our Portland facility for processing.
Processing & Documentation
Salvaged lumber is de-nailed, inspected, graded, and documented. We provide provenance records and, for donation scenarios, certified appraisals for IRS tax deduction purposes.
Why Deconstruct
Benefits Beyond the Wood
Deconstruction is not just about recovering lumber. It delivers financial, environmental, and community benefits that demolition simply cannot match.
LEED Credits
Deconstruction contributes to multiple LEED credit categories including Materials and Resources (MR) credits for construction waste management and building reuse. Projects can earn 1-3 LEED points through systematic material recovery.
Tax Benefits
Donating recovered materials to a qualified nonprofit can yield tax deductions based on the fair market value of the donated lumber. On a large structure, this can represent tens of thousands of dollars in tax savings — often exceeding the cost difference between deconstruction and demolition.
Environmental Impact
A typical 2,000 sq ft building contains 10,000-15,000 board feet of lumber. Deconstruction recovers 70-90% of that material versus near-zero recovery from mechanical demolition. That keeps tons of embodied carbon out of landfills.
Community Value
Recovered materials re-enter the local economy as building products. The labor-intensive nature of deconstruction creates 6-8 jobs for every 1 job that demolition creates, supporting Portland workforce development.
The Comparison
Deconstruction vs. Demolition
Recovered Materials
What We Recover
The specific materials recovered depend on the structure, but typical deconstruction projects yield a substantial volume of reusable wood along with secondary materials that have salvage value.
We handle the full spectrum — from the large structural timbers that are the most valuable per board foot down to the smaller framing members and finish materials that make up the bulk of the volume.
Project Types
Ideal Salvage Candidates
Barns & Agricultural Buildings
Large timber frames, wide siding boards, and often rare species like Chestnut or Heart Pine. Barns yield some of the most sought-after reclaimed material.
Pre-1960 Residential
Homes built before 1960 typically feature old-growth framing, hardwood flooring, and solid-wood trim. Even modest houses can yield 5,000+ board feet.
Warehouses & Factories
Industrial buildings feature massive timbers, heavy decking, and dense old-growth joists. The volume of recoverable material is often substantial.
Commercial Buildings
Office buildings, retail structures, and institutional buildings with wood framing or heavy timber construction. Finish materials often include premium hardwoods.
Bridges & Infrastructure
Decommissioned bridges, railroad trestles, and dock structures yield some of the largest and most impressive timbers available in the reclaimed market.
Churches & Schools
Historic institutional buildings often contain exceptional lumber — long-span trusses, wide-plank flooring, and premium finish materials selected for durability.
Have a Building to Deconstruct?
Contact us for a free site assessment. We will evaluate the structure, estimate recoverable materials, and provide a detailed proposal including timelines, costs, and potential tax benefits.