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Get money for your old building material and Find used building materials on classified lists and through online brokers.
EcohomeUpdated: Dec. 3, 2020
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When buildings are decommissioned there can be a lot of valuable materials that could be used again, but when buyers can’t find sellers, otherwise usable materials are being sent to a land fill. There is a growing amount of used building materials that can be found at online classified websites such as Craigslist and Kijiji, but finding what you are looking for can be very hit and miss.
There are also many dedicated online websites that connect buyers with contractors disassembling old buildings, or offer a place to buy and sell leftover materials from building projects and home upgrades.
On many of these sites you can search by category and location; with some (such as Sustainabuild Canada), you can also put in a request for certain materials and receive notification ifwhat you are looking for becomes available in your region.
This saves usable building materials from ending up in landfills, and from a financial perspective, both parties win here. Rather than paying to remove and dispose of building materials that still have life in them, contracting companies can instead receive a cheque in hand when someone comes to pick up their waste.
Much of the materials available online come from decommissioned commercial buildings rather than houses, as the quantities available are worth the effort of involving a broker. But for residential builders looking to acquire inexpensive building materials such as insulation and flooring etc, you will often get lucky.
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Reclaimed foam insulation boards © Michel Chenier |
As an example, the above stack ofXPS foam insulation was purchased through an online classified website for $3 a sheet, whereas purchased new in a building supply store they would retail for about $40 a sheet.
It doesn’t take a calculator to know that that’s a pretty good deal, even if it requiresa truck rental and some travelling time.It's dirty looking (but who cares) and the corners are not as sharp as they would be new but that is easily rectified with a can of spray foam after they are installed.Not every deal will necessarily be that great, but there is for sure money to save if you do a little digging.
The only free or cheap building material we would be careful of is wooden shipping pallets - sertain of which have been treated against insect attack by highly toxic chemicals - make sure you know how to read pallet labels to see if they are toxic or can be safely reused for beds and furniture inside, here.
There are many local companies that trade building materials,thosecan probably be found by doing a web search for'buy used building materials',along with your region. Here are some sites we have found that seem to offer their services across the country, if you know of others that you have had success with, please make mention in the comments section below.
- Renoback.ca
- Salvex.com
- Habitat for Humanity Restore
Read more here about reclaimed and recycled building materials, building with shipping palletsand how to dispose of construction waste responsibly in the Green Buillding Guide pages of Ecohome, North America's green building website.
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Comments (39)
Ali Murphy4years ago
Murco Recycling ships nationwide! They broker materials directly from renovations and teardowns in Chicago and have EVERYTHING!!
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Peter McLean3years ago
for sale:
a used Peachtree window, excellent shape...aluminum-clad, casement, energy-efficient, ~36" tall x 48 wide, w/ screens.
Best offer.
Thank you.
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K
Kurt Reinhardt3years ago
I have six trapezoid windows brand new Pella 6/12 pitch they were $6000 also new sheets of plywood for sale and tools
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Christopher Pankey3years ago
I have containers of stucco to cover 4,500 square feet that were the wrong color. Looking to sale.
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E
evelyn amaker2years ago
Is this material still available?
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jervar gayle2years ago
What color were they?
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Laura Lourenco3years ago
I have approx. 225 boxes of arc mosaic tile Guatemala green and 10 new sinks model Caxton 2210-96 in their boxes. Looking to sell, hearing offers.
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Nisbeth Ahmed3years ago
I have 4 BRAND NEW Schulter KERDI-BOARD 48" x 96" x 1/2" panels. Bought excess number of panels for a home reno project. Ready to sell at $110/piece. Please email me on [emailprotected].
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Karen LaFave3years ago
I have 6 bundles of Atlas Pinnacle shingles Copper Canyon paid 32.oo per bundle & 16 strips of brown drip edge. 6.50 was. Roof put on 8/18. Stuff is brand new. I will sell it all for 200.00.
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William Yarborough3years ago
I have alot of sch 80 pvc fittings 4" and below for sale all brand new. Send me a message if you are in need of any.
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Greg Smith2years ago
I have a multiple gross inch and a half George Fisher schedule 80 butterfly valves probably a hundred I also have about 8 or 10 wafer butterfly valve George Fisher 6in the cheapest I have found them is $500 online I have others I would like to sell everything
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Greg Smith2years ago
Everything I have is new in the box
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Greg Smith2years ago
I'm sorry in that last post I said I have a gross a butterfly valves they are inch and a half ball valve schedule 80 I probably have a hundred PVC
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Greg Smith2years ago
I also have 2 in ball valves everything I have is new in the box
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Larry Laatsch2years ago
50 sheets of Hardie Backer, new, unused, Charlotte NC area. I'll deliver, on the truck. You unload. $12/sheet
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Amanda Kendziorski2years ago
Im in need of new flooring for my home but I am on a tight budget. I don't know what the most affordable, durable, best for resale option to go with. I want to get the most for my money but need to keep cost low. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
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Michael Williams2years ago
I have about a thousand sq feet of mahogany bamboo flooring. I removed it myself its in great shape. If your interested tell me what you want to pay for it and its yours
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A
Amira Williams2years ago
Hi Michael, I'm interested in the bamboo flooring, what is the dimensions please and how much are you looking to sell?
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pro
Elle Brooke2years ago
Send mail [emailprotected] let's talk about price there
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Mark Springer2years ago
I have 80 amdec (Amvic) floor system blocks (425 sq ft) Used for concrete (ICF) ceiling/floor. Great safe system! contact me [emailprotected].
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LarryKris Pommier2years ago
I have Acme Steel Grey Modular Size brick, 8 pallets, 5775 + total, located Tomball Texas. Must take all, no shipping, can load onto flatbed. Contact [emailprotected]
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C
Carla Marion2years ago
I have a used Heat & Glo gas fireplace with dark green marble/granite surround in 4 pieces as well as mantle. All in perfect condition. These are in Greensboro, NC and must be picked up with cash payment. These can be purchased all together or broken out as needed. Photos available.
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M
Manuel Rivera2years ago
Have approximately 40 bags 50lb of Planitop18 for your flooring needs and concrete patch repair. Each bag runs for $26, Make offer
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M
Manuel Rivera2years ago
In the Las Vegas area
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pro
Elle Brooke2years ago
Yes
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A
Ann Vaughan2years ago
I have 2 BRAND new free-standing tub faucets with hand shower for sale. They are made by Ove and model in Milly. Both are still in the box unopened. They retail at the Home Depot for $400. Chicago area. Willing to sell for $300 each or make an offer.
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pro
Elle Brooke2years ago
50 sheets of Hardie Backer, new, unused, Charlotte NC area. I'll deliver, on the truck. You unload. $13/sheet
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Jill Stubbs2years ago
I have a new Full view glass patio door, RH in swing, Left panel is stationary no acton. It is 6ft wide x 8 ft Tall, 2x6 frame. $800.Located in Wake Forest, NC. Pick up only.
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green machine racing team2years ago
I have over 25 solid mahogany doors main door brand with cast iron trim if you want to buy the lot I can make a deal if you want singles they're 1500 a piece feel free to email
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Marie Comtois2years ago
I have 3 boxes ( 8 per box) of sheet insulation Johns Manville 1,1/2 24x48 retails $60 asking $20 per sheet obo for 3 boxes. Aluminium sheet cover on one side yellow glass insulation.
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Alan Hawkins1year ago
I have 2 in. 3 in. And 4 in. Fiberglass gas line that is 35 ft. Long for sale
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pro
Monika 1231year ago
I have around 20 pallets new porcelain/ceramic tiles, each pallet about 1,000 sf, in 8 styles(each style have at least 2 pallets), and new bathroom sinks around 100 pieces, over 500 sets of bathroom accessories( each style at least 50 sets), and a lot of shower heads..... someone interested??? All can be sold for a unbeatable price
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Re K1year ago
Plumber retirered have large selection of fittings,valves , controls for oil and gas burners, Well parts 12-4 spool of well wire 100+ ft. fairbanks Mores control boxes sprinkle heads, electric water heater parts dresser couplings brass fittings. compression fitting. Delta, Gerber, faucet repair parts etc. Black, Galvanized, Brass, nipples and fittings Copper 1/8 to 3" pressure and DWV fitting. 40+ years
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Ptb B1year ago
I have 20" all the way down to 1" pvc schedule 80 pvc fitts and pipe . My loss is ur gain. Make a offer .
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Jack W. DeLine1year ago
Please add a new startup renovation material site to the list: renoxchng.com. Thanks!
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Charles Hedrick1year ago
I have several hundred ft.of Rehau Pex-A pipe from 1" to 1/2 inch.Also cat6 wire, several plastic electrical boxes, finishing nails, drywall screws, roofing nails,tacky tape,lead sheathing,plz reply if interested thanks.
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T
Tim Parris1year ago
I have 550 sq ft of Malibu Plank Solana Hardwood for sale, cost over 4k new.Best offer.
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SIYADSHAHA MBC11months ago
for sale
coper cable 4cor 300mm300 and 185/ running miter
call 0505124115
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D
Dennis Grabert6months ago
Hi I was able to remove all contents from a 1.6 million dollar home In NewHope Pa before it was to be removed for a new home to be built. I have all the kitchen cabinets, granite,stainless steel sink,oven and dishwasher. Three toilets and sinks all solid core doors taken out with frames lots of closets organizing shelving hot water heater air condition unit lots of Anderson windows ,skylights ,slider n French doors. Tons of crown molding , colonial trim n chair railings. Lights, electrical boxes, copper, wiring. Come pick n choose or make a offer for it all not asking for anything unreasonable just a fair price we both can be happy with if interested please email [emailprotected]
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FAQs
Do you buy used building materials if they are in good condition?
No we don't, sorry! But there is a market for used building materials, even if you only get a few bucks for them it's better than sending them to a landfill. Check out the page below, it has a list of a few places that will deal in used materials. It's a growing market and more pop up all the time,so aside from what we list below, I would recommend you do a google search of your local region and the term 'used building materials' and you may find even more potential sources. We would be curious to know how well it goes so please feel to update us as to whether or not you are successful, and if you find a new source that isn't listed please let us know.
- Buy and sell used building materials
How do I sell my construction materials?
There is a growing market for buying and selling used building materials online, the following page can help you figure out how and were you can do that regionally -
Where to buy and sell used building materials
I hope you are able to find what you're looking for on that page. As you will note, we have found that some online building suppliers have gone under, and it is possible new ones have taken their place. If you find a good source, please let us know!
Do you buyleftover lumber?
There is a growing market for buying and selling used building materials online, the following page can help you figure out how and were you can do that regionally -
Where to buy and sell used building materials
I hope you are able to find what you're looking for on that page. As you will note, we have found that some online building suppliers have gone under, and it is possible new ones have taken their place. If you find a good source, please let us know!
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