Identify construction materials or items to be salvaged

Valuable items, which include hardware, interior doors, and fixtures, often can be salvaged from older structures.

Large-dimension posts and beams also may be reusable, especially from newer structures. Salvaging materials conserves resources through their reuse and spares the effort to dispose of them.

A few things to keep in mind: Salvaged items may contain hazards such as lead paint. Older toilets and showerheads do not meet current water-use standards, so they aren’t efficient. Older windows can be difficult to insulate and air-seal without extensive work. Often, they require additional storm panels or windows.

Green points

LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify. : Materials and Resources 3: up to 3 pts for construction waste planning and reduction–includes investigating and documenting local options
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions. /ICC-700: Chapter 4 Site Design and Development: up to 6 pts. for preserving, reusing, modifying, or disassembling an existing building for reuse or recycling (403.9); 1 pt. for every 10% of total building materials reused, deconstructed, and/or salvaged (403.10)