Many homeowners know this story well, they make the decision to renovate their Calgary bathroom or kitchen, and their renovation is a success. Their spaces feel modern, new and improved, but there is always the question about what to do with the leftovers. After all, there is nothing wrong with those old light fixtures and cabinets, and throwing them away feels like a big waste. While there are some home renovation leftovers that cannot be used again, many are easily salvaged and repurposed, sold or given away.
Repurposing Material
When completing a Calgary home renovation, one of the easiest things to do with leftovers is to repurpose them. While you might not want those outdated 1970s cabinets in your kitchen, they might be perfectly suitable for the garage or laundry room. Perhaps those knobs and pulls are no longer a match for your shiny stainless steel, but they might work beautifully on a storage chest in the shed or some built in drawers tucked away in a closet. Reusing old things saves you money because you do not have to buy twice, and it keeps lots of junk out of the landfills too.
If you simply do not have a new home for your leftover home renovation treasures, someone else probably does. There are many individuals who love a vintage look and feel in their homes, and every era has a fan. Offer your Calgary home reno leftovers on local buy, sell and trade sites or Internet sites like EBay. While you might not sell every piece, this method can gain you a little extra cash and provide someone else with a great bargain too.
When you really are not in the mood to list individual items and wait for a sale or you are feeling charitable, donating Calgary home remodeling leftovers is a great idea. There are plenty of places that will gladly take used cabinets, countertop materials, plumbing and lighting fixtures and give them to someone who really needs them. Some of these materials might end up in charitable houses, or they could be sold in their stores for a deeply discounted price. Keeping things local also has the added bonus of providing area general contractors with the things they need for construction. This reduces shipping costs and is a win-win situation when homeowners are building on a tight budget.
Donating to Local Salvage Yards
For any items that cannot be repurposed, sold or donated, give recycling a try. Before you just throw something in the trash, check with your local salvage yard or waste pickup service to see if recycling is offered. Many materials contain valuable metals, wood and concrete. While these materials might not be used in the construction industry, they can be turned into something else instead of landing in an over piled dump. Making this choice has a significant impact on the environment and can help to keep your local community clean too.
In closing, remember that it is always important to think carefully when you are in the demolition stage of your home renovation. If you make the decision to take a sledge hammer to every piece you are removing, there is little chance that it will be in good enough condition to be sold, donated or repurposed. Consider working with mindful Calgary general contractors who will assist you in the demolition phase and ensure that your items remain in the right condition for your future plans.
If you are looking for a professional to help with your Calgary home renovations and demolition, Alair Homes Calgary is available to assist. Give us a call and request your free, no obligation consultation.