From a salvage perspective, a building slated for demolition is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. From scrap metal to equipment to concrete to fixtures, there are many parts of a property that may be resold or recycled. Savvy demolition companies offer demolition asset recovery services to reclaim the salvage value contained in a defunct building. Done right, asset recovery can help offset the costs of tearing down the building and restoring the site to environmental standards.
What Demolition Asset Recovery Services Entail
A demolition company that specializes in Asset Recovery, as Elder Demolition does, typically goes through several steps to reclaim value from a demolition project:
- Asset Acquisition. The demolition company may buy the property, facility, and or inventory outright, or a shared profit arrangement may be agreed upon between client and salvaging company.
- Removal of Unwanted Assets. From furniture to industrial equipment to water and electric fixtures, everything that is unwanted is removed from the demolition site. Each demolition firm will then apply its own approach to cost recovery.
- Property Remediation. Responsible, trustworthy demolition companies will adhere to national and state environmental reclamation standards in the final stages of demolition.
- Demolition Asset Recovery. Using a combination of recycling, public sales, on-site negotiations, internet sales, and private auctions, the demolition organization earns back funds for the client (or for themselves, if the assets were purchased outright in step 1).
Using this process, the inherent value in nearly any structure, from aluminum plants to office buildings, may be reclaimed and preserved.
How to Get Maximum Values in Demolition Asset Recovery
After decades of experience in demolition and asset recovery, we can tell you that there are a few things you should look for in order to get as much value as possible from your demolition project:
- Open Communication. Look for a contractor that will keep you up-to-date on asset pricing.
- Hazardous Materials Expertise. In addition to hidden treasures, many demolition sites hide lurking dangers such as asbestos and lead. Be sure that your demolition and asset recovery partner is competent and qualified for hazardous material removal. One tactic for this: Research each demolition company’s educational requirements for employees.
- Extensive Experience. Taking down a residential structure is one thing; demolishing a factory is quite another. Scour each demolition company’s website for similar projects to yours, or ask for recommendations.
Beyond the cost recovery aspect, asset recovery offers environmental benefits as well. By reusing and recycling as much as possible, demolition companies can help prevent thousands of tons of materials from entering landfills.
[Photo by: Draco2008 via CC License]