Sheet 1: Overview

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	

		

 
		
		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
United States
		


	
	

		


		
Environmental Protection Agency
		


	
	

		


		
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool
		


	
	

		


		
Last Revision: May 2012    Version Number 1.0
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Overview
		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Deconstruction coupled with aggressive construction and demolition materials recycling are producing cost-savings for projects across the U.S.  Anywhere that disposal fees start to exceed $75.00 per ton-deconstruction combined with aggressive material recycling may provide a clear economic advantage over traditional demolition and disposal. The threshold at which deconstruction with material processing becomes a better economic option than traditional demolition and disposal will be largely determined by: the value of the recovered materials, the cost of disposal, transportation costs, and whether the value (revenue or an avoided cost) produced by deconstruction can offset the added labor costs for material recovery for reuse and recycling. The Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool (Estimating Tool) provides a means for tribes and rural communities to evaluate these costs factors and determine the potential cost or benefit for a single site or multiple sites targeted for deconstruction.  


		


	
	

		


		
The Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool (Estimating Tool) is designed to be used in conjunction with the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities developed by EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR). The checklist provides the means to collect the information to enter in the Estimating Tool.  
		


	
	

		


		
The Estimating Tool is used to guide tribes and rural communities through a five-step process to determine the potential cost or benefit of building deconstruction and material recovery vs. traditional building demolition and material disposal:  
		


	
	

		


		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		
The Estimating Tool can be used to determine the cost or benefit of deconstruction and material recovery for up to five buildings.  After entering the information for steps 1-4 for each building, the cost or benefits is automatically calculated.  If the estimated deconstruction and material recovery costs are equal to or less than the cost without deconstruction and material recovery, the benefit or cost saving is displayed.  If the deconstruction and material recovery costs are greater than the estimated cost without deconstruction and material recovery, the cost is displayed.  The summary of cost or benefit per building and for all buildings will automatically be displayed in tabular format and graphed under the Summary Tab.  
		


	
	

		


		
For step by step instructions on how to use the Estimating Tool, please see the Instructions Tab.  For assistance converting units of measure for the building materials to tons and aggregating material quantities, costs and benefits, please see Appendix A (see Building Material Quantity, Cost, Revenue or Value Calculation Worksheet) and Appendix B (see standard conversion factors by weight for common building materials). For deconstruction project examples, please see Appendix C. For general information about the
		


	
	

		


		
Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool, please email Karen Peycke, EPA Region 6 at: 
		
peycke.karen@epa.gov 
		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	

 




Sheet 2: Instructions

	
	
	
	
	
	

		


		
United States
		


	
	

		


		
Environmental Protection Agency
		


	
	

		


		
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool
		


	
	

		


		
Last Revision: May 2012    Version Number 1.0
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Instructions
		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Preparing to Estimate the Potential Building Deconstruction Project Cost or Benefit 
		


	
	

		


		
Automatic Calculations 
		
Before entering data in the Estimating Cost Benefit (Building) worksheets, it is important to ensure that the Excel file is set up to automatically calculate the data.  To do so, go to the Formulas Tab and select Calculation Options.  In the drop-down list that appears, ensure that Automatic is selected. In Excel 2007, this is found by clicking the Microsoft Office Button, then clicking the Excel Options button.  Select the Formulas category and verify that the "Automatic" radio button is selected under the Calculation Options: Workbook Calculation section.  
		


	
	

		


		
Aggregated Data Preparation
		
Prior to using the Estimating Tool, the various units of measure for the building materials (e.g., board feet, cubic feet, square feet each, pounds) must be converted to tons; and the estimated quantities (tons) aggregated for recovery (reuse and  recycling) and disposal.  (See Appendix B for a table of standard conversion factors by weight for common building materials). Users can also contact local reuse and recycling vendors to determine appropriate quantity conversion factors and units to use in calculations. The associated costs (e.g., labor, disposal/transportation, transportation to reuse and recycling markets and disposal facilities, traditional demolition) and potential benefits (revenue and/or avoided costs) must be carefully estimated and aggregated.  Users should contact waste management departments or vendors to determine appropriate quantity conversion factors and units to use in disposal cost calculations. Reuse and recycling vendors should be able to provide assistance with determining the estimated value of reusable materials* (e.g., material reuse stores such as Habitat ReStores), and value of recyclable materials such as metals as well as any fees and other specific conditions for accepting reuse or recyclable materials. Please refer to the appropriate calculations in the Checklist for assistance with estimating the total above-mentioned costs.  For help aggregated the total material quantities, costs and benefits, please see the Building Material Quantity, Cost, Revenue or Value Calculation Worksheet provided in Appendix A. 
*Note that a general rule of thumb is that used material values are 25-50% of the price of new materials.  However, for the most accurate estimations of value, it is recommended that you contact used building materials wholesale or retail venders to obtain value estimates.  Regarding donation values, any in-kind donation (that is, anything other than money) valued at $500 or greater requires the donor or the donor’s professional tax preparer, to 
		


	
	

		


		
complete IRS Form 8283. Go to http://www.irs.gov and review Form 8283.   Also, the amount of charitable donations that you may claim in a given year may be limited, unused charitable donations can be carried forward to future years for five years.
		
http://www.irs.gov 
		
and review Form 8283.   Also, the amount of charitable
		


	
	

		


		
donations that you may claim in a given year may be limited, unused charitable donations can be carried forward 
		


	
	

		


		
to future years for five years.
		


	
	

		


		
Estimating the Potential Building Deconstruction Project Cost or Benefit 
		


	
	

		


		
Step#
		
Field
		
Description
		


	
	

		


		
Step 1:  Estimated  Building Deconstruction Project Costs
		
Building Materials
		
Categorization of building materials derived from information recorded during the visual field inventory of the building materials (see Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 2 - Building Inventory Checklist): For example, condition and whether building material could be reused or recycled or should be disposed, (e.g., MSW, C&D, or hazardous landfill).  

Note: the Reuse category pertains to building materials recovered for sale through used building materials markets and/or building materials recovered for use onsite or local construction projects. 
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Quantity (Tons)
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated quantity for recoverable building materials (reuse and recycling) and non-recoverable building materials (disposal) in tons. The total estimated building materials in tons will be automatically calculated based on the quantity (tons) entered for recoverable building materials and non-recoverable building materials. 
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Building Disassembly/Material Processing Labor Costs
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated unskilled and skilled labor cost for deconstruction (uninstall materials), onsite sorting, and/or processing of building materials for reuse and recycling (e.g., cleaning, denailing, bundling) 

The estimate of  labor hours is derived from the following equation provided in the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 3 – Economic Assessment Checklist: 

Total Labor Cost = (number of unskilled laborers) X (hours) X (wage) + 
(number of skilled laborers) X (hours) X (wage)

		


	
	

		


		
Est. Material Disposal and Transportation Costs with Deconstruction
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated disposal and transportation cost for non-reusable or non-recyclable materials. Total estimate includes MSW, C&D, industrial and/or hazardous waste disposal cost.

The total estimated disposal and transportation cost is derived from the following equations (self-haul or commercial haul) provided in the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 3 – Economic Assessment Checklist: 

Self-Haul Disposal Cost = (travel time to disposal) X (Labor rate and/or cost to operate hauling vehicle per hour) + (tip fee by volume or ton) X (number of tons or cubic yards)

Commercial Haul Disposal Cost = Disposal Cost = (number of tons or cubic yards) X (tip fee) + (number of loads) X (hauling fee)

		


	
	

		


		
Est. Transportation Cost to Material Reuse or Recycling Markets
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated cost of transporting reused or recycled building materials to markets.

The total estimated cost of transporting reused or recycled building materials to markets is derived from one or more of the following equations provided in the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 3 – Economic Assessment Checklist: 

-Rail/freight to a processor or end user. Transportation Cost = (cost to operate hauling vehicle by distance or travel time to rail) + (freight fee per ton) X (number of tons) + (other costs e.g. labor, loading and unloading deconstruction materials)

-Hauling/trucking to a processor or end user. Transportation Cost = (hauling charge per ton) + (other costs e.g. labor, loading and unloading deconstruction materials)

-Self-hauling directly to processor or end user. Transportation Cost = (cost to operate hauling vehicle by distance or travel time to processor or end user ) + (other costs e.g. labor, loading and unloading deconstruction materials)
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Deconstruction Project Cost
		
This field will be automatically calculated based on the information entered for 1) total estimated unskilled and skilled labor cost for deconstruction, 2) total estimated disposal and transportation cost, and 3) total estimated cost transporting reused or recycled building materials to markets.
		


	
	

		


		
Step 2: Estimated Revenue or Value of Recoverable Building Materials
		
Est. Material Reuse Resale Value
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated resale value for reusable buildings materials. Estimated total value includes resale of used materials and direct reuse of materials onsite or local construction projects.
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Material Reuse Donation Value
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated donation value of materials.  


		


	
	

		


		
Est. Material Recycling Value
		
Enter the  TOTAL estimated value of recyclable materials (e.g., metals). 

Contact your solid waste management departments in your area to determine who will accept recyclable materials from your deconstruction project and compare rate/tipping fees. 

		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Value
		
This field will be automatically calculated based on the information entered for 1)  Est. Material Reuse Resale Value, 2)  Est. Material Reuse Donation Value, and 3)  Est. Material Recycling Value.
		


	
	

		


		
Step 3: Estimated Avoided Disposal and Transportation Costs with Building Deconstruction and Materials Recovery  (Estimated Cost for Disposal of Recoverable Materials)
		
Est. Avoided Material Disposal and Transportation Cost with Deconstruction (equal to the cost for disposal of recoverable materials)
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated cost of disposal and transportation for the estimated quantity of recoverable building material. 

Use the information entered for “Est. Quantity (Tons)”  for  recoverable materials in the following equations provided in the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 3 – Economic Assessment Checklist to estimate avoided disposal and transportation costs with building deconstruction and materials recovery: 

Self-Haul Disposal Cost = (travel time to disposal) X (Labor rate and/or cost to operate hauling vehicle
per hour) + (tip fee by volume or ton) X (number of tons or cubic yards)

Commercial Haul Disposal Cost = Disposal Cost = (number of tons or cubic yards) X (tip fee) + (number of loads) X (hauling fee)

		


	
	

		


		
Step 4: Estimated Potential Total Cost without Building Deconstruction (Disposal + Transportation + Labor Cost for Demolition)
		
Est. Disposal/Transportation Cost with Building Deconstruction
		
This field will be automatically populated  based on the value provided  for  Est. Material Disposal and Transportation Costs with Deconstruction.
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Avoided Material Disposal and Transportation Cost
		
This field will be automatically populated based on the information entered for Est. Avoided Material Disposal and Transportation Cost with Deconstruction (equal to the cost for disposal of recoverable materials).
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Demolition Labor Cost
		
Enter the TOTAL estimated labor cost for demolition.  This estimate can be obtained from a demolition contactor or by contacting the local building department. 

The equation provided in the Checklist for Assessing the Feasibility of Building Deconstruction for Tribes and Rural Communities, Step 3 – Economic Assessment Checklist may be used to calculate labor cost if an estimate of hours for skilled/unskilled labors can be ascertained.   

Total Labor Cost = (number of unskilled laborers) X (hours) X (wage) +  
(number of skilled laborers) X (hours) X (wage)
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Cost without Building Deconstruction
		
This field will be automatically calculated. The estimated total cost without building deconstruction =  Est. Disposal/Transportation Cost with Building Deconstruction + Est. Avoided Material Disposal + Transportation Cost + Est. Total Demolition Labor Cost
		


	
	

		


		
Step 5: Estimated Potential Deconstruction Project Cost or Benefit (Cost Savings)
		
Est. Total Building Deconstruction Project Cost (Est. Deconstruction Project Cost - Est. Total Material Value)
		
This field will be automatically calculated based on the Est. Deconstruction Project Cost - Est. Total Material Value.
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Cost without Building Deconstruction
		
This field will be automatically populated based on value calculated for the Est. Total Cost without Building Deconstruction
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Benefit or Cost Savings (If estimated Deconstruction cost is equal to or less than disposal cost)
		
This field will be automatically calculated if the deconstruction project is equal to or less than the estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery. 
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Percent Benefit or Cost Savings
		
This field will be automatically calculated if the deconstruction project is equal to or less than the estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery.
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Cost (If estimated Deconstruction cost is greater than disposal cost)
		
This field will be automatically calculated if the deconstruction project is greater than the estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery.
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Percent Cost
		
This field will be automatically calculated if the deconstruction project is greater than the estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery.
		


	
	

		


		
Summary of Building Deconstruction Cost Benefit
		


	
	

		


		
Field
		
Description
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Building Deconstruction Project Cost (Est. Deconstruction Project Cost – Est. Total Material Value)
		
Field will be automatically populated based on the calculated estimated total building deconstruction project cost per building assessed. The total estimated deconstruction project cost will be calculated for all buildings assessed. 
		


	
	

		


		
Estimated Total Cost without Building Deconstruction and Material Recovery
		
Field will be automatically populated based on the calculated estimated total cost without building deconstruction and material recovery per building assessed. The total estimated cost with building deconstruction and material recovery will be calculated for all buildings assessed.
		


	
	

		


		
Estimated Benefit or Cost Savings (If estimated Deconstruction cost is equal to or less than disposal cost)
		
Field will be automatically populated if estimated deconstruction cost is equal to or less than total estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery.  The total estimated benefit or cost savings will be calculated for all buildings assessed. 
		


	
	

		


		
Estimated Benefit or Cost Savings (If estimated Deconstruction cost is greater than disposal cost)
		
Field will be automatically calculated if the deconstruction project cost is greater than the estimated cost without building deconstruction and material recovery per building assessed.  The total estimated costs will be calculated for all buildings assessed.
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	

 




Sheet 3: Est. Cost_Benefit (Building A)

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	

		


		
United States
		


	
	

		


		
Environmental Protection Agency
		


	
	

		


		
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Building Material Reuse and Recycling Estimating Tool
		


	
	

		


		
Last Revision: May 2012    Version Number 1.0
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Estimating the Potential Building Deconstruction Project Cost or Benefit: Building A
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Date (dd/mm/yy): 
		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Estimate Prepared by:
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
APN, tax acct #, or lot #:
		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Building/Property Owner:
		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Physical Address:
		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Latitude:
		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Longitude 
		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Comments:
		


		


	
	

		


		


	
	

		


		
Step 1:  Estimated Building Deconstruction Project Costs
		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Building Materials
		
Est. Quantity (Tons)
		
Est. Building Disassembly/Material Processing Labor Costs
		
Est. Material Disposal and Transportation Costs with Deconstruction
		
Est. Transportation Cost to Material Reuse or Recycling Markets
		
Est. Deconstruction Project Cost
		


	
	

		


		
Total Recoverable Materials (Reuse + Recycling)
		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Total Disposal 
		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		
0
		
$0.00
		
$0.00
		
$0.00
		
$0.00
		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Step 2: Estimated Value of Recoverable Building Materials
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Material Reuse Value (Resale and Direct Reuse Local Construction Projects)
		
Est. Material Reuse Donation Value
		
Est. Material Recycling Value
		
Est. Total Material Value
		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		
$0.00
		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Step 3: Estimated Avoided Disposal and Transportation Costs with Building Deconstruction ( Estimated Cost for Disposal of Recoverable Materials)
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Avoided Material Disposal and Transportation Cost with Deconstruction (equal to the cost for disposal of recoverable materials)
		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Step 4: Estimated Potential Total Cost without Building Deconstruction (Disposal + Transportation + Labor Cost for Demolition)
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Disposal/Transportation Cost with Building Deconstruction
		
Est. Avoided Material Disposal and Transportation Cost
		
Est. Total Demolition Labor Cost
		
Est. Total Cost without Building Deconstruction
		


		


		


	
	

		


		
$0.00
		
$0.00
		


		
$0.00
		


		


		


	
	

		


		


		


		


		


		


		


		


	
	

		


		
Step 5: Estimated Potential Deconstruction Project Cost or Benefit (Cost Savings)
		


	
	

		


		
Est. Total Building Deconstruction Project Cost (Est. Deconstruction Project Cost - Est Total Material Value)
		
Est. Total Cost without Building Deconstruction
		
Est. Benefit or Cost Savings (If estimated Deconstruction cost is equal to or less than disposal cost)
		
Percent Benefit or Cost Savings
		
Est. Cost (If estimated Deconstruction cost is greater than disposal cost)
		
Percent Cost
		


	
	

		


		
$0.00
		
$0.00
		
$0.00