(very) Old House Material Reclamation

Ron

Ron

Dum Spiro Spero
Moderator
Joined
Apr 16, 2005
Location
Sharon, SC
I have a friend who is getting ready to tear down 3 100+ year old houses.

All are in "good" shape and until a month ago were inhabited. Is there any value in material reclamation, otherwise its going to be bulldozed and hauled to landfill.
 
Ron said:
I have a friend who is getting ready to tear down 3 100+ year old houses.

All are in "good" shape and until a month ago were inhabited. Is there any value in material reclamation, otherwise its going to be bulldozed and hauled to landfill.
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No, zero value. Give me the address and I'll go haul some of it off for him. ;)

There are probably some things of value, but the key is finding the people who want them and are willing to pay for it. I've watched @rockcity try to give away old house parts for a few weeks/months now, and I would like some of that stuff, but its not worth the drive. I might be interested in some things for our upcoming addition.
 
2 are in Columbia
1 is in Darlington

He would likely give it away...his hope is to trade some material in (partial?) exchange for the demo
 
Some of the doors and maybe windows may be worth something if they are original, same with fancy crown moulding.

Some of the old growth rough sawn timbers and bricks can be the most valuable. That's about all I would save if it were me. You need to find the market to resell that stuff; Charleston would likely be the closest market, maybe CLT.

If there are some old original light fixtures, some of those are worth a few $ to someone who can update the wiring and clean it up for a restoration project. Once again, I don't think the towns are the greatest market for these items. If it were Charleston area, I'd be down there tomorrow. :D
 
Like others have said it really depends on what someone is looking for. Some people go ape shit over "vintage" anything so stuff like door and cabinet knobs and other various hardware. Maybe check with local GC's and builders who specialize in older home restorations and renovations. There is a company here in Durham that I know has stockpiles of stuff they take out of houses going under renovation all the way down to old claw foot tubs.
 
StretchASU said:
Like others have said it really depends on what someone is looking for. Some people go ape shit over "vintage" anything so stuff like door and cabinet knobs and other various hardware. Maybe check with local GC's and builders who specialize in older home restorations and renovations. There is a company here in Durham that I know has stockpiles of stuff they take out of houses going under renovation all the way down to old claw foot tubs.
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Claw foot rubs lol... we use to have 55 gal barrels full of hand cut flat head screws. To use as fake fasteners on stuff


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Reclaimed flooring is more valuable than the same area tiled with gold bars. At least that was my impression whenever I've seen reclaimed flooring for sale.
 
Everything said is true, & watching the Home restoration type TV shows, makes is Seem so. But that's all up North or Cali!
I'm sure it valuable, but you have to find the market / buyer. Hard to do in this area. Many of the companies that tear down the old Mills, reclaim everything, but they haul truck loads out, & sure to have contracts & buyers for it.
 
Ron said:
2 are in Columbia
1 is in Darlington

He would likely give it away...his hope is to trade some material in (partial?) exchange for the demo
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What areas? Cottontown? Shandon? Olympia?

The most valuable things you'll ever salvage from an old hose are custom mantles, hardwood floors, hand worked decorative wood carvings and staircase railings.
 
@Ron I'll pm you my #. I'll be glad to lend a hand in the demo since I'm in the area.
 
benXJ said:
Why tear them down? Seems a shame.

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They call it progress. Medical offices are going in all 3 locations.
 
Fire place surrounds, doors, windows, hardware for doors and cabinets.

Wood plank siding and beams, any plaster moldings, decorative tile.

Basically, any good wood or hardware. Yuppies in the city are paying good money for it. Find a broker in those areas and sell them the lot of salvaged materials.
 
UHHHH,yes!! Used 5 V tin is $10-$12 a sheet and plain old grayed oak is bringing at least a $1 a liner foot not to mention moldings,windows and stairways.If I had the resources and my shoulder could take it that's what Id be doin.
 
When I worked doing structural repair, the owner of the company went to Atlanta to pick up old Heartwood beams for for historic repair. Cost a lot if I remember right. Any old wood is worth a lot, could put you in touch with him, if interested.
 
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