Deconstruction vs Demolition

Removing an old home and building a brand new one on that same ground requires making a very important decision: Should we deconstruct or demolish? Homeowners and builders often choose demolition over deconstruction as it is the faster and more affordable way of removing an old structure. But deconstruction actually provides important benefits and should not be immediately overlooked. 

Here, Kristen Diaz-Kleiboer, TBS Construction’s Project Manager, stands in front of the house in Los Altos Hills where we are building a brand-new custom home for our long-time customers. In this case the decision was made to deconstruct the house. 

So, what does it mean to deconstruct a home? And what benefits does reconstruction bring?

Deconstruction is a process of selectively dismantling the building’s components specifically for reuse, recycling, re-purposing and waste management. One of the biggest benefits of deconstruction is for the environment — 30% of landfill consists of debris from construction, both residential and commercial. By deconstructing the original structure, we significantly reduce the amount of debris clogging up landfill. We then determine what can be reused and what should be recycled. Wood beams, bricks, tiles, roofing and many other building components will be taken to organizations where they will find “a second life.” 

Besides reducing the environmental impact and practicing responsible waste management, deconstructing a house is also tax deductible. So even though deconstruction is a longer and pricier process than demolition, taking a tax deduction and treating mother nature with kindness will make the process worth the time and money.

See full video below.