Deconstruction vs Demolition

Deconstruction is the responsible and mindful dismantling of a residential or commercial structure with the intent of "harvesting" all usable materials and property for reuse in new applications. Unlike traditional demolition, which uses bulldozers, wrecking balls, and hammers to quickly clear a site, deconstruction involves a systematic process where trained professionals carefully dismantle the structure in reverse order of construction—extracting valuable property that would otherwise be damaged and end up in a landfill when using a traditional demolition approach.

It's Simple - When You Give, You Receive (Tax Benefits & So Much More)

If you own a residential or commercial property that needs to be renovated or removed, take a moment to consider the significant benefits that our deconstruction services have to offer. 

Whether you are considering a simple remodel or the complete demolition of a structure, the building materials and personal items salvaged through our efforts could be immensely useful to a non-profit such as RE.VOLVS. 

What if you could accomplish the removal or renovation of your property while helping others, saving money, and positively impacting the environment? All of this is possible when you choose to work with RE.VOLVS. 

Individual & Corporate Tax Benefits 

Most people don’t realize the materials from their properties are actually a valuable asset. These materials can be DONATED to a qualified non-profit like RE.VOLVS and provide you with significant tax benefits not available through traditional demolition. 

Reduce Waste In Our Landfills 

Each year, billions of TONS of usable materials are tossed into our landfills negatively impacting the environment and simply going to waste. At RE.VOLVS, we are passionate about reducing the amount of waste in our landfills by providing the services and expertise required to salvage, harvest, and put these valuable assets back into circulation and reuse. 

Assist Those in Need 

RE.VOLVS is 100% self-funded and relies on your donation of usable materials to support our mission & community focused, giving programs. Whether you choose to deconstruct an entire property or simply donate a single, usable item, your donation makes a difference in the world both environmentally & philanthropically. Through your donation, together we can deliver a far-reaching, positive impact on our world for future generations! 

RE.VOLVS, in collaboration with our industry partners, provides deconstruction services for both residential, commercial & hospitality projects alike. With our combined experience we offer options for the following types of projects: 

Full Deconstruction

Partial / Selective Interior "Strips" (Perfect for a planned remodel or property reuse...)

Interior Material "Clean Out" Services 

Adaptive Reuse Options for both residential & commercial projects throughout the United States. 

In addition, RE.VOLVS offers personal property clean-out services, material consignment, and other creative solutions assisting the property owner(s) to find new homes for those unwanted or excess materials making these valuable assets available for reuse all while keeping them away from the landfill. 

Unlike traditional demolition, by choosing deconstruction options there is a significant and favorable impact to the environment by keeping these valuable assets which are often overlooked away from the landfill. 

In addition, and unlike traditional demolition, the property owner is eligible to receive very desirable tax incentives through the removal and donation of the materials and personal property to a 501(c)(3) charity such as RE.VOLVS. Through a qualified 3rd party appraisal company, the Fair market Value of the harvested materials is established. A tax deduction can be taken for the IRS-defined Fair Market Value of the materials, fixtures, furnishings, appliances, and other property incident to the deconstruction.

This tax deduction can bridge the gap between more expensive and labor-intensive deconstruction over traditional demolition practices. In fact, approximately 90-95% of residential homeowners who undertake deconstruction over demolition do so specifically because of the tax deduction. When tax policy aligns with sound environmental practices, both the taxpayer and the environment benefit.

Last, by working with RE.VOLVS, the materials harvested are then sold at a fraction of the price of purchasing new to support our mission to "evolve the world's view of reuse..." providing cost-effective solutions to home owners, property managers, investors, and the general public. In addition, RE.VOLVS donates TONS of harvested materials each year to select charitable organizations and families who are in need providing these individuals with essential items which otherwise would be unaccessible. 

Here at RE.VOLVS, we work with a broad array of deconstruction clients who share our passion to make the world a better place through the mindful deconstruction of residential and commercial properties alike. Examples of who can benefit from the deconstruction process include: 

Residential Property Owners 

Commercial Property Owners

Contractors, Builders & Developers 

Mixed Use Hotel, Motel, & Restaurant Owners

Residential & Commercial Real Estate Agents

Property Management Companies 

"Big Box" Retailers & Corporate Entities 

Non-Profit & Public Agencies 

General Public 

Here at RE.VOLVS, we strive to make the entire process as seamless and straightforward as possible. With decades of combined experience, RE.VOLVS can assist the property owner to remove many of the hurdles involved in a traditional demolition project and ensure maximum benefit and satisfaction for the property owner. 

At RE.VOLVS, the steps are really quite simple: 

1. Property Assessment: Once contact has been made with the property owner, a physical site walkthrough is scheduled. 
2. Property Capture & Validation: During the walkthrough, RE.VOLVS will capture the relevant details necessary to provide the deconstruction quote and related project details. 
3. Proposal Provided: RE.VOLVS, or one of our industry partners, provides the detailed proposal and preliminary Fair Market Value of the donatable materials. 
4. Project Kick-Off: The project is scheduled and begins often times with a completion within 2 to 3 weeks from start to finish. Donatable materials and personal items are removed from the project site leaving the property owner with a "blank canvas" to begin their new build or remodel. 
5. Donation Documentation: Upon completion, the chosen 3rd party appraiser provides all necessary documentation directly to the property owner(s) for tax-preparation & submission. 

When you choose deconstruction over demolition, harvested building materials are donated to RE.VOLVS, a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and may qualify for charitable tax deductions based on their Fair Market Value. Before the deconstruction work begins, we identify which materials are eligible and provide a no-cost, preliminary estimate of their potential donation value—so you understand the benefit upfront.

Deconstruction & Salvage of Materials 

Throughout the deconstruction process, materials are carefully removed, harvested, and sorted during the deconstruction process, preserving their value and usability in new applications. 

Material Donation 

Harvested materials are donated to RE.VOLVS, an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) certified organization providing a qualified, non-monetary and beneficial tax benefit to the property owner. 

Professional 3rd Party Appraiser 

Through an extensive and detailed process, a certified appraiser determines the Fair Market Value of the donated materials according to IRS guidelines with the goal of establishing the highest value possible for the property owner(s) donation. 

IRS Compliance 

Charitable deductions must be properly documented. Depending on the amount and type of property donated, documentation may include a qualified appraisal, a written acknowledgment from the receiving nonprofit, and IRS Form 8283. Form 8283 is generally required when total claimed noncash charitable deductions exceed $5,000. Section B and qualified-appraisal requirements generally apply when the claimed deduction exceeds $5,000 for an item or group of similar items. Clients should confirm their individual filing requirements with an independent tax adviser.

A deconstruction appraisal is a personal property appraisal that determines the Fair Market Value of salvaged building materials, furnishings, and fixtures that have been donated to a qualified charitable organization. 

For any donation valued at $5,000 or more, the IRS requires an IRS-defined “Qualified Appraisal” produced by an IRS-defined “Qualified Appraiser” to substantiate the charitable contribution deduction.

Through our vast industry relationships, RE.VOLVS can provide introductions to some of the best (and experienced) appraisers in the business ensuring maximum values for your property donation while ensuring the required and proper documentation is provided for your tax purposes. 

Here at RE.VOLVS, we accept a broad array of usable materials which often times are not accepted by other organizations. From residential essentials, commercial FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment), to raw building materials we offer the services to ensure your donated items are put to good use and maximize your tax benefits for items which are often overlooked. 

Examples of Items We Accept for Donation: 

Furniture 

Home Decor Items 

Appliances (working condition) 

HVAC & Mechanicals 

Lighting, Ceiling Fans & Fixtures 

Plumbing Fixtures 

Doors & Windows (Residential & Commercial) 

Lumber & Trim-work 

Roofing Materials 

Electronics 

Countertops (Stone & Fabricated)

Flooring & Tile (Including Carpet Tiles)

Window Coverings (Blinds, Drapes & Curtains) 

Musical Instruments 

Insulation (Clean & Usable) 

Whether you are considering a full structure deconstruction, an interior strip, or simply have too much stuff... contact us to discuss your project or material donation today! 

Yes! Here at RE.VOLVS, we accept all kinds of donations each day! If you have usable items which you no longer have a use for or perhaps an entire building of excess materials we would love to hear from you! 

For all donations with a Fair Market Value of less than $5,000, you will receive donation receipt for your tax purposes. If you would like to make a donation of items with a Fair Market Value greater than $5,000, RE.VOLVS works with some of the BEST 3rd party appraisers in the industry and we would be happy to make an introduction. 

Item donations can be made and dropped off directly at our reuse center during normal business hours. if you require the items to be picked up at your location please contact us at info@revolvs.com and a team member will be happy to assist! Please note, donation pickup services may be limited and are subject to our schedule and availability. 

Also, RE.VOLVS will gladly accept financial, "in-kind" monetary donations as well so feel free to contact us to make the proper arrangements. 

Here at RE.VOLVS, we pride ourselves in executing on our mission of landfill diversion each & every day. Up to ~95% of the materials which are salvaged and harvested through our deconstruction projects and public donations, are offered directly to the public, residential & commercial clients at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new. Our 70k square foot reuse center offers some of the highest quality items around with New! arrivals daily so you really never know what you might find! 

In addition, we work closely with our industry partners and other non-profit organizations to provide these much-needed materials to those who are in need and in support of their missions. 

Our capabilities to "re-home" these valuable assets provide the resources and "know how" to divert tons of materials away from the landfills each and every day all while assisting those who otherwise would not have access to these valuable and essential items. 

Great question! Occasionally we receive or accept items which have outlived their useful life or those items which may be in disrepair. In these situations, we leverage our knowledge, expertise, and partnerships to ensure the unusable materials are recycled and often being used in the manufacture of new products and solutions. 

EXAMPLE: A building gets deconstructed → usable materials are salvaged for reuse → unusable glass, metal, wood and paper are recycled → those materials become inputs for new building products such as insulation, steel, engineered wood and aggregate → those products go back into new home builds & commercial building development. 

Glass 

Each year we recycle loads of glass from salvaged windows, shower doors, and related products making these materials available for use in the manufacturing of new glass bottles & jars, fiberglass insulation, glass tile, concrete products, road aggregate, filtration media, bricks, and foamed-glass aggregate. The insulation industry reported using more than 2.4 billion pounds of recycled glass at U.S. manufacturing facilities in 2025.

Metal, Copper & Steel

We have the capabilities & service offerings to directly recycle these materials for use in new applications keeping these assets away from the landfill. Aluminum is likely the best understood form of metal recycling however steel and copper products are broken down and used in the manufacture of structural steel, rebar, appliances, automobiles, tools, shelving, new cans, and miscellaneous building components. Copper wiring, pipe, and cast iron materials are also recycled for use in new item production which include brass fittings, castings, electrical components, plumbing products and industrial components. 

Wood & Lumber 

Often times wood products come to us in a state which no longer allows these materials to be used "as-is". In these cases we provide the resources to sort, breakdown, and recycle the "clean" wood which is used in various solutions. These solutions where lower-grade wood materials are recovered and recycled include items such as wood chips, press and particle board, mulch, wood pellets, animal bedding, and other products putting these otherwise "non-desirable" materials back in to use. 

Fiberglass & Blown Insulation 

These items which are typically in usable condition, are often overlooked in a traditional demolition or deconstruction project. Each year, RE.VOLVS processes and "re-homes" these materials for use as intended and other creative solutions 

These are only a few examples of our efforts to achieve our goals to divert as many items and TONS of materials away from the landfills each year. 

First, RE.VOLVS is a certified non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of landfill diversion & community support. By choosing to work with RE.VOLVS to assist with your deconstruction project or item donations, you are making a GREAT choice by choosing to support our mission and directly assisting those in need. 

In addition, RE.VOLVS together with our industry partners RE.VOLVS brings decades of knowledge and experience to every project ensuring your complete satisfaction and maximum financial benefits. 

Last, RE.VOLVS and our operations are 100% self-funded through the sale of donated and salvaged items. It is only through this "in-kind" giving that RE.VOLVS is able to favorably impact the environment, support those in need, and achieve our mission to "evolve the world's view of reuse...". 

While traditional demolition services may cost less than deconstruction upfront, here you are comparing "apples to oranges..." In most cases, demolition fails to capitalize on the reclamation & salvage of valuable assets which represent a significant financial benefit to the client. 

In traditional demolition, the structure and most of the contents are simply "bulldozed" and tossed into our landfills each year negatively impacting the environment and failing to provide access to valuable assets to those in need. 

Using this traditional approach, you as the property owner will likely miss out on a tremendous financial & tax benefit which traditional demolition fails to offer. 

Many demolition contractors suggest they offer deconstruction services and some out there across the country actually do and are quite capable doing it very well! 

That said, in many cases the demolition contractor uses what we like to call a "velvet hammer" when removing items and materials. This approach reduces the ability to reclaim valuable materials & assets in a manner in which they can be offered for reuse and limits and more times eliminates the financial benefit for the client. 

When selecting a contractor for your project, there is a tremendous benefit to you as the client in selecting a deconstruction contractor who has direct experience and offers highly trained labor to ensure items are removed mindfully. In doing so, this selection will provide you with the maximum financial & tax benefits you deserve often offsetting the cost of deconstruction and delivering a positive environmental outcome for all! 

Yes! At RE.VOLVS, we often work with developers, contractors, and traditional demolition companies providing services to "reclaim" materials alongside of your contractor priory to demolition which can be donated and reused in new applications. 

An example of a "hybrid" approach often looks like the following: 

1. Reuse: RE.VOLVS together with the contractor removes items with the highest remaining value pre-demolition: e.g. cabinets, doors, architectural elements, fixtures, appliances, dimensional lumber, plumbing fixtures, mechanical equipment, etc. These items are donated to RE.VOLVS and transported to our reuse center making them available to the public for reuse & providing you with a significant tax benefit! 

2. Recycling: During demolition, the contractor separates materials that have established recycling outlets: e.g. clean wood, steel, aluminum, other metals, concrete, glass and potentially cardboard/paper.

3. Disposal: Landfill only the material that cannot reasonably be reused or recycled minimizing the volume of materials going to the landfill! 

Example Benefits of a "Hybrid" approach: 

For example, imagine a contractor has a project producing 200 tons of material.

Under conventional demolition, perhaps 180 tons are hauled to a landfill. If landfill disposal and transportation effectively cost $80/ton, that's: 180 tons × $80 = $14,400

Now suppose a "Hybrid" approach results in:

• 180 tons reclaimed & reused
• 10 tons recycled
• 10 tons landfilled

Your project has reduced landfill material from 180 tons to 10 tons.

That's 190 tons of avoided disposal. At $80/ton, that's potentially $15,200 of avoided landfill cost and a 95% reduction in material going to the landfill. This approach offers a significant savings to you not to mention the favorable, environmental impact created before considering recycling revenue, donation value or other project & financial benefits.