Deconstruction Services
We carefully dismantle structures to save valuable lumber instead of demolishing. Preserve irreplaceable old-growth wood, reduce landfill waste, and potentially qualify for tax deductions.
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How Deconstruction Works
Deconstruction is the careful, methodical disassembly of a structure — the reverse of construction. It takes more time than demolition, but the environmental and financial benefits are enormous.
Site Assessment
Our team visits the structure to evaluate what can be salvaged. We identify valuable species (cypress, heart pine, oak), assess structural conditions, and estimate total recoverable board footage.
We provide a detailed salvage report and project proposal at no cost.
Planning & Permitting
We develop a deconstruction plan that maximizes lumber recovery while ensuring safety. We coordinate any required permits, utility disconnections, and environmental clearances.
Our team handles all regulatory compliance so you don't have to.
Systematic Dismantling
Working from the roof down, our crew carefully removes roofing, then framing, siding, flooring, beams, and structural timbers. Every piece is removed by hand or with precision equipment to minimize damage.
This is the opposite of demolition — we take buildings apart the way they were put together.
Material Sorting & Staging
Salvaged lumber is sorted on-site by species, dimension, and condition. Reusable materials are stacked, strapped, and prepared for transport. Non-wood materials are separated for appropriate recycling.
Metals, brick, hardware, and architectural elements are also salvaged when possible.
Site Cleanup
Once deconstruction is complete, we leave the site clean and ready for the next phase of your project. Foundations are typically left in place unless removal is requested.
We remove all debris and leave the lot broom-clean.
Documentation & Tax Benefits
We provide detailed documentation of all salvaged materials including species, dimensions, and fair market value. For qualifying donations, this documentation supports potential tax deductions.
Consult your tax advisor — material donations may qualify for significant deductions.
Deconstruction vs. Demolition
Side-by-side, deconstruction wins on almost every measure that matters.
Environmental Impact
Sends 100% of materials to landfill, releasing sequestered carbon and creating methane as wood decomposes.
Diverts 85-95% of materials from landfill. Lumber continues sequestering carbon in its next use.
Material Value
Destroys valuable old-growth lumber worth $2-12 per board foot. Total material value is lost.
Recovers lumber that can be sold or donated. Material value offsets deconstruction cost significantly.
Tax Benefits
No tax benefits. Demolition is a pure cost with no offsetting deductions.
Donated materials may qualify for charitable tax deductions at fair market value.
Community Impact
Creates noise, dust, and heavy truck traffic. Disrupts neighborhoods.
Quieter, less dusty, and fewer heavy trucks. Better neighbor relations.
Heritage Preservation
Irreplaceable historic materials are permanently destroyed.
Historic lumber, hardware, and architectural details are preserved for reuse.
What We Salvage
We recover far more than just lumber. Here's what our deconstruction crews typically salvage from a structure.
Structural Lumber
- Beams & timbers (4x4 to 12x12)
- Joists & rafters
- Wall studs & framing
- Trusses & purlins
Finish Materials
- Heart pine flooring
- Cypress siding & shiplap
- Bead board & paneling
- Crown molding & trim
Architectural Elements
- Doors & window frames
- Staircase components
- Mantels & surrounds
- Porch columns & railings
Non-Wood Materials
- Antique hardware & hinges
- Brick & stone
- Cast iron & wrought iron
- Copper, brass & bronze
The Environmental Case for Deconstruction
Landfill Diversion Rate
The vast majority of a deconstructed structure's materials are recovered for reuse or recycling.
CO2 Saved Per Structure
Deconstruction prevents the release of stored carbon and avoids emissions from manufacturing replacement materials.
of US Landfill = C&D Waste
Construction and demolition debris makes up 40% of all landfill volume. Deconstruction is part of the solution.
Structures Deconstructed
We have carefully dismantled over 150 structures across the Gulf South, saving millions of board feet.
Deconstruction Service Area
Our deconstruction crews operate throughout the Gulf South. Here are the areas we serve regularly.
- Greater New Orleans (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines parishes)
- Baton Rouge metro area
- Houma-Thibodaux region
- Lafayette and Acadiana
- Mississippi Gulf Coast (Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis)
- Mobile, Alabama metro area
- Larger projects considered throughout the Gulf South — contact us for availability
Deconstruction Case Studies
Detailed breakdowns of three recent deconstruction projects, including scope, materials recovered, timeline, and environmental impact.
Cotton Warehouse — Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans
Materials Recovered
Environmental Impact
This single project diverted an estimated 87 tons of material from landfill and prevented approximately 42 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The recovered cypress beams alone represented approximately $85,000 in reclaimed lumber value. The building owner received documentation supporting a charitable donation deduction for materials valued at fair market price.
Victorian Double-Gallery Home — Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans
Materials Recovered
Environmental Impact
The deconstruction preserved architectural elements that are irreplaceable — the turned cypress gallery columns alone would cost over $2,000 each to replicate from new stock. Total landfill diversion was approximately 31 tons. The heart pine flooring was in exceptional condition with tight grain at 14-16 rings per inch, and was resold to a homeowner for a whole-house flooring installation in the Marigny.
Midcentury Church — Gentilly, New Orleans
Materials Recovered
Environmental Impact
The church trusses were exceptionally long-span (clear span of 40 feet) and in excellent structural condition, making them valuable for both reuse and architectural salvage. The cypress paneling had a beautiful honey-gold patina from 70 years of interior use. Stained glass windows were carefully removed intact and donated to a preservation nonprofit. Total landfill diversion: approximately 52 tons.
Permitting & Compliance
Deconstruction is subject to the same regulatory requirements as demolition — plus additional considerations when working with historic structures. We handle all compliance so you do not have to.
Demolition / Deconstruction Permits
The City of New Orleans requires a demolition permit for any structural dismantlement. We prepare and file permit applications with the Department of Safety and Permits, including site plans, scope of work, and waste management plans. Typical permit processing is 2-4 weeks, though expedited review may be available.
Historic District Review
Structures within locally designated historic districts or listed on the National Register require review by the Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC). We coordinate with HDLC, prepare documentation of architectural significance, and ensure salvage of historically significant elements. This process can add 4-8 weeks but is essential for compliance.
Environmental Assessments
Structures built before 1978 may contain lead paint and asbestos-containing materials. We coordinate Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments when required, and work with licensed abatement contractors for any hazardous material removal prior to deconstruction. All environmental work is documented and filed with the appropriate agencies.
Utility Disconnection
Before deconstruction begins, all utilities must be properly disconnected: electrical, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications. We coordinate disconnection requests with Entergy, SWBNO, and telecommunications providers, and verify disconnection before any structural work begins. Typical lead time is 1-3 weeks.
Waste Management Plans
Louisiana DEQ requires proper documentation of waste streams from demolition activities. Our waste management plans detail how each material category is handled: lumber to our facility, metals to scrap recycling, brick and masonry to aggregate recycling, and any hazardous materials to licensed disposal facilities. Our diversion rate of 85-95% exceeds regulatory requirements.
Insurance & Liability
We carry comprehensive general liability insurance ($2M per occurrence), workers compensation coverage, and commercial auto insurance for all our vehicles. We are bondable for projects that require it. Certificates of insurance are provided to property owners and general contractors upon request before work begins.
Everything We Salvage from a Structure
Lumber is our primary focus, but our deconstruction crews recover a wide range of materials that have reuse or recycling value. Nothing leaves the site without being evaluated for its next life.
Doors & Entryways
- Solid wood panel doors (cypress, pine, oak)
- French doors and transom windows
- Door frames, jambs, and threshold hardware
- Antique doorknobs, escutcheons, and hinges
- Screen doors and shutters
Original New Orleans doors — especially cypress panel doors with their distinctive raised panels — are highly sought after by preservationists and homeowners restoring period homes.
Windows & Glass
- Original wood-frame sash windows
- Stained and leaded glass panels
- Transom windows (arched and rectangular)
- Sash weights, pulleys, and chains
- Decorative glass (etched, beveled, textured)
We remove windows as complete units whenever possible, preserving frames, sashes, and hardware together. Stained glass is handled by specialists to prevent cracking.
Hardware & Fixtures
- Cast iron and brass hinges
- Porcelain and glass doorknobs
- Iron gate latches and locks
- Light fixture mounting plates and rosettes
- Hooks, pulls, and cabinet hardware
Antique hardware from pre-1920 structures is often hand-forged or cast in patterns that are no longer manufactured. We clean and catalog all salvaged hardware.
Masonry & Stone
- Hand-made brick (soft red, cream, and clinker)
- Slate roofing tiles
- Marble mantels and hearth stones
- Cast stone window sills and lintels
- Flagstone and pavers
Pre-1900 New Orleans brick was often made from local clay and fired at lower temperatures, giving it the soft, warm character that modern brick cannot replicate.
Metals
- Cast iron columns and fencing
- Wrought iron railings and balconies
- Copper roofing, gutters, and downspouts
- Brass and bronze fittings
- Structural steel beams and plates
Cast iron and wrought iron from New Orleans buildings are iconic architectural elements. We work with restoration specialists to ensure these pieces find appropriate reuse.
Architectural Elements
- Porch columns (turned and box)
- Staircase balusters and newel posts
- Crown molding and ceiling medallions
- Mantel surrounds and fireplace tiles
- Corbels, brackets, and gingerbread trim
These decorative elements define the character of Gulf South architecture. Many profiles are no longer produced and can only be obtained through salvage.
Have a Structure to Deconstruct?
Before you call the demolition crew, call us. We'll assess the structure, estimate the salvage value, and show you how deconstruction can save money, earn tax benefits, and protect the environment.