How we serve Northern Colorado
We operate in Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Greeley, Berthoud, Timnath, Severance, Windsor, Eaton, Mead, Hygiene, and Laporte.
Deconstruction Services
Traditional demolition tears structures down quickly with heavy machinery, creating dust, noise and waste. Deconstruction is a careful process designed to maximize material recovery. Our team meticulously dismantles buildings to salvage high-integrity components such as structural beams, flooring, windows, cabinetry, and architectural fixtures. We prioritize safety and precision, ensuring that materials are removed intact and ready for immediate reuse. Choose deconstruction when you want to minimize environmental impact and noise, reduce disposal costs, and preserve the historical character of your property’s original materials.
Best For: Residential renovations, historic preservation projects, eco-conscious builders.
Key Benefit: Higher material yield than demolition; lower landfill waste; potential cost savings on disposal fees.
Material Recovery
We also support material recovery projects in special cases. If you have high-quality building materials that are new or gently used, ask us about material drop offs or pickup. Give these items a second life while cleaning out your space!
Consulting
Using reclaimed materials is no longer commonplace for many builders and architects. Add our expertise to your team to help you navigate the complex material specification and installation process. Get expert guidance to ensure your project goes smoothly!
FAQs
What is Rica Lumber & Deconstruction?
What is a worker-owned cooperative, and how does it affect my project?
Rica Lumber & Deconstruction is a worker-owned cooperative that reclaims value from our built environment. Through careful deconstruction, we extend the life of lumber and building materials, reducing waste and carbon impact while providing high-quality reclaimed resources.
A worker-owned cooperative is a business owned and democratically managed by its employees. This means the people doing the work also own the business, share in its success, and guide its future direction. For you, this translates to a committed team invested in every detail of your project, fostering accountability, transparency, and community-focused values.
What is the process of assessing a building for deconstruction?
Our assessment process involves four key steps:
1. Project Assessment: Initial conversations and site visits to identify benefits and opportunities for deconstruction.
2. Toxic Materials Screening: A hazardous materials survey ensures safety and prevents surprises during the project.
3. Material Listing: Reusable materials are listed online weeks before deconstruction begins, allowing craftsmen and buyers to reserve items for upcoming projects.
4. Deconstruction: Using heavy equipment, hand tools, and skilled labor, we carefully dismantle the building while preserving material integrity.
What types of buildings do you take down?
We handle a wide range of structures, from small sheds to large commercial buildings. We specialize in historic and older structures, particularly those built between 1900 and 1930, which often feature unique architectural details and higher-quality materials.
How much do reclaimed materials cost?
Most reclaimed materials cost 50% or less than comparable new materials. Note that comparing prices to standard retail lumber (like what’s found at home improvement stores) isn’t always accurate, as modern mass-produced lumber often differs significantly in quality and density from older, reclaimed timber.
How is deconstruction different from demolition?
Traditional demolition crushes structures, generating significant noise, dust, and waste. In contrast, deconstruction services carefully disassembles a building, much like taking apart a LEGO set, so individual components remain intact and ready for reuse. This process preserves material quality and maximizes reuse potential.
Where do you get your materials?
Our primary source is our own deconstruction projects. Additionally, we partner with contractors and homeowners to collect unused or surplus materials from other sites. All materials are inspected for quality and reuse potential before being offered for sale.
Do you offer removal services for non-reusable materials?
Yes. After salvaging reusable materials, we properly dispose of remaining debris in accordance with local regulations, using recycling options where possible.
How long does a typical deconstruction project take compared to demolition?
Are there any permits or inspections required for deconstruction?
Deconstruction generally takes longer than traditional demolition because it requires careful manual dismantling. However, the time investment yields a quieter process, quality materials and reduced disposal costs.
We coordinate with local authorities to ensure all necessary permits and environmental screenings are completed prior to starting work.
Do you provide delivery for large items?
Can I visit the yard to see available materials?
Delivery options may be available for larger quantities or bulky items. Please contact us to discuss logistics and associated costs.
Our storage is open to visits by appointment only. Our inventory changes frequently due to active projects, so we recommend checking our online listings at Facebook Marketplace (link) or contacting us directly for current availability.