Demo Day with Arjay West
Whether you’re transforming your kitchen or giving your living room a facelift, renovations and remodels usually require demolition. Demo day can be an exciting and daunting day for any homeowner. We can all appreciate a beautiful before and after photo, but the during is worth preparing for. Arjay West of West Properties LLC walks us through the demolition process: what to expect during demolition, how to prepare, and what materials can be salvaged in a remodel?
How can a homeowner prepare their space for demolition?
First, I sort of object to the term demolition. It rarely makes financial sense to simply tear a house down. There are excellent tax advantages to home deconstruction and donation of valuable items you are replacing. These days most renovations include a new kitchen and master bath. The existing cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc. have more value than owners know. If you are working with a knowledgeable contractor, one familiar with, and committed to sustainable construction practices, they will work through the process with you. We routinely save our owners substantially more than the costs.
The first thing homeowners should do prior to a remodel is have an appraisal done to determine if deconstruction and donation makes financial sense. The initial appraisal performed by a licensed firm is often eye-opening.
Next, we advise our owners to make an honest, room by room, closet by closet assessment of their belongings, asking if we really want this stuff in our new home, followed by a thorough decluttering. You would be surprised just how much time, energy and money a few goodwill trips will save.
The next step is to store the items that you do want. Decide what items, if any, you want to reuse, such as appliances, cabinets, lighting or plumbing fixtures, etc. These should be clearly marked and set aside.
Are permits needed for demolition? If so, how are those obtained?
In a typical remodel, demolition is included as part of the building permit, so no extra work is required. If the project is a complete rebuild, requiring removal of the house and foundation, then a separate demolition permit is required. In that instance, the architect and civil engineer prepare the documents and a submission is made prior to the building permit submission. Deconstruction and demolition are serious, technical and potentially hazardous activities that require experience and training. I cringe when I see remodeling shows on TV in which everyone is swinging away with sledge hammers at walls and even at glass cabinets. This is foolish and dangerous. I have been in this business for 35 years, and I can tell you more deconstruction happens with screw guns, pry bars and sawzalls than with sledge hammers.
How much does the demolition phase cost?
This depends on the scope of work. If it requires an excavator, then tens of thousands. If not, much less.
What materials can be salvaged during demolition? Where can I donate them?
More than people think. Donations can take several forms, from the obvious to the esoteric. All cabinets, counter tops, appliances, doors, windows, light and plumbing fixtures are obvious candidates. Some flooring and millwork can also be donated.
In more advanced deconstruction projects where we remove an entire structure, donations become more complicated but are often more valuable to the homeowner. Few people are aware of the benefits, including many contractors, which is a shame.
Replacing an older home with a new one is a process that many people call a “tear down”; we prefer the term “deconstruct and rebuild”. If you simply bulldoze the old house down, all you have done is create a pile of debris that is destined for the landfill. If you take the time to deconstruct and rebuild, then you minimize the pressure on our landfills and allow for the useful materials in your home to live another life. Did we mention you’re eligible for sizable tax savings in the process? This is the definition of the triple bottom line of sustainability.
What tax savings am I eligible for in a deconstruct and rebuild project?
To make sure you’re eligible for these savings, there are a few steps. First, you must have the property appraised as it exists before the deconstruction and donation phase, and then again after. The difference between those two appraisals is the amount you have donated. The next requirement to note is that a 501-c3 charity must be the recipients of your donations.
West Properties LLC has worked for many years with an excellent deconstruction firm, Second Chance Inc. of Baltimore, MD. Second Chance Inc. completes deconstruction work for a fraction of the overall tax savings of the endeavor and operates a warehouse where they sell the donated items at very reasonable prices. A win-win arrangement for sure.
For more information on deconstruction, design, and rebuilding reach out to Lee Design Studios and West Properties LLC!