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For Homeowners and Builders: Understanding Seattle’s Salvage Assessment Form

If you’re a builder, architect, or homeowner in Seattle, you may have heard of the Seattle Salvage Assessment Form. During the process of renovation or demolition, this form is essential when you’re within Seattle’s city limits.

What is the Seattle Salvage Assessment Form?

This document is required by the city of Seattle for any demolition or remodeling project that includes a scope of work greater than 750 square feet. The form is designed to identify home or building materials with “salvage potential” and to encourage Seattle residents to think differently about building materials.

As of 2014, the City of Seattle mandates that homeowners must have a verified salvage agent (like us!) to complete a deconstruction and salvage assessment before any demolition or remodel can take place. 

Why is this important?

This form encourages reuse of home and building materials rather than having those same materials being thrown into the landfill. Additionally, having parts of your home salvaged helps reduce demolition charges for homeowners and contractors.

There are no repercussions for not salvaging your home first, but salvage companies often pay for materials, give store credit, and offer tax donation receipts. 

How do you get a Salvage Assessment?

Homeowners and contractors can submit the Seattle Salvage Assessment Form to a variety of Seattle-based Salvage companies. Some great Salvage places in Seattle are Ballard Reuse, Second Use, and of course, Earthwise! 

Earthwise offers salvage assessments to meet permit application requirements and competitive onsite bid services for projects free of charge. Our expert salvage team will remove materials approved by you ahead of time for any of our diverse forms of reimbursement: in-store credit, modest cash bids, or tax donation receipts from one of our non-profit partners. 

Our Director of Acquisitions, Paul, will get back to you within 24 hours. 

What’s Next?

In short, the Salvage Assessment Form is an important step for builders, architects, and homeowners alike who are planning a demolition or remodeling project. Going through the process, you can now become aware of the eco-friendly alternatives to wasting building materials while potentially saving money.

Questions? Are you ready for a salvage assessment? 

Contact Paul at Paul@ewsalvage.com!

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