Eastside Rebuild’s deconstruction services gives second life to building material

CASHMERE — Before taking a hammer to the wall on that demolition project, Eastside Rebuild wants to have a word. 

The local nonprofit, which offers low-cost tool rentals, workshops, and reuse building materials, now provides deconstruction services. Instead of bulldozing a building, the organization will take-apart the structure “board-by-board,” so the lumber, fixtures and hardware can be reused or recycled.

In addition to its tool library and workshops, Eastside Rebuild has a Reuse Building Supply store of building materials, fixtures and furniture that have either been donated or salvaged, where Eastside Rebuild picks up select pieces from demolition sites, such as cabinets and flooring.

“We got the whole floor from the Orondo Grange Hall last year, which was an oak floor. We got about 1,400 square feet, and it ended up in a couple different homes in the valley, including one in Orondo from someone who used to dance on that floor,” said Store and Salvage Manager Luke Dixon.

While salvaging has allowed the nonprofit to save quality materials where contractors are unable to, the demolition process often destroys and throws away a majority of the reusable structural material. Because of this, Eastside Rebuild has embarked on offering deconstruction. 

“It's a lot of work…but very rewarding, because you just know that this structure is going to come down either way,” said Tool Library & Marketing Manager Beryl Bils.

The process is slower in comparison to a demolition crew. What Bils and Dixon complete over two weeks could possibly be completed in a few days. However, the project omits the cost of demolition equipment and disposal fees, and provides a donation receipt of the materials salvaged. 

According to homeowner Stephen Barnes, the cost to deconstruct his garage was on par with the cost of demolition, which quoted about four truckloads of landfill material.

“I am thrilled how the project went. We opted for deconstruction because it aligned with our values of recycling and reusing materials…We were incredibly impressed with their service and would not hesitate to choose them again,” said Barnes.

According to Dixon, 73 percent of the garage was diverted from the landfill. The project was able to save sheets of plywood, metal roofing, two-by-fours, cabinets and light fixtures, which will be sold at the reuse center for 30 to 50 percent of the price when buying new.

“The landfill savings is incredible. From that one garage, we saved 10,000 pounds from getting dumped,” said Dixon.

The deconstruction can typically be done on single-family homes, garages, agricultural out-buildings, and remodel interiors built after 1900. The nonprofit offers a free walk-through to analyze the salvageability before pursuing a project. For more information, contact Eastside Rebuild or visit wasteloop.org.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media