When it’s time to take down a house or commercial building, the decision isn’t always simple. Traditional demolition often means sending valuable materials to landfills, wasting resources and contributing to environmental harm. By donating your structure to Second Chance for deconstruction, you can change the story.  With our deconstruction services, we offer an environmentally responsible alternative that maximizes the value of materials and provides meaningful workforce development for people in need.

Why Donate a House?

Donating a house or commercial building to Second Chance has benefits that go beyond tax incentives and landfill reduction. As a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable practices, we work with trained crews to carefully dismantle and preserve usable materials from your building, which are then made available to the public through our 200,000-square-foot retail center in Baltimore. Every item we reclaim not only reduces waste but also funds our mission to provide job training and employment to individuals overcoming barriers to work.

Here’s why people choose deconstruction over demolition:

  • Environmentally Friendly: Traditional demolition can create a significant amount of waste, with much of it ending up in landfills. Deconstruction diverts reusable materials, reducing environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable future.
  • Tax Benefits: Donating a building to Second Chance can yield substantial tax deductions, as donations of reclaimed materials are often tax-deductible. Our team can help you understand the tax advantages and benefits of donating a structure.
  • Community Impact: Donating your house supports Second Chance’s job training and workforce development programs, helping individuals gain valuable skills and build stable futures.
  • Architectural Preservation: Your structure holds history. By choosing deconstruction, you allow Second Chance to save and repurpose architectural elements, preserving a piece of heritage for future generations.

The Deconstruction Process

Deconstruction is different from demolition. Instead of tearing down a structure with machines, we dismantle it by hand. Our skilled teams are trained to carefully remove materials, ensuring that as much of the building as possible is salvaged and ready for reuse. Here’s a look at what the deconstruction process involves:

  1. Consultation: Fill out our form or call us at (410) 385-1700 to set up a no-obligation consultation. A Second Chance representative will discuss your project, explain the process, and go over any questions you have about deconstruction.
  2. Site Visit: A trained member of our team will visit the property to assess the structure and identify materials suitable for salvage. This step helps us understand the unique elements of your building and tailor the deconstruction plan.
  3. Deconstruction: Our experienced crews dismantle the structure, salvaging materials such as doors, windows, flooring, fixtures, and architectural details. Each piece is carefully removed, labeled, and prepared for transport to our retail center.
  4. Tax Documentation: After the deconstruction, we’ll provide the necessary documentation to help you maximize your tax deductions. We work with you to ensure all materials are accounted for, giving you peace of mind that the donation meets IRS requirements.

Our team is committed to thorough, safe, and effective deconstruction, and we handle each project with the utmost respect for the property and the community.

Second Chance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance. We deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the public for reuse at our more than 200,000 square foot retail center. With the revenue generated, we provide job training and workforce development for those with various employment obstacles in the Baltimore region.

Don't Demolish—Deconstruct

By donating your house to Second Chance, you become part of a positive, impactful cycle. Here’s how your donation helps:

  • Supporting Job Training: Every building deconstructed creates hands-on training opportunities for individuals facing employment challenges. Our job training program focuses on skills like deconstruction, salvage, warehousing, and retail operations, enabling trainees to secure sustainable employment in the growing “green collar” field.
  • Reducing Waste: The U.S. generates millions of tons of construction and demolition debris each year. Through deconstruction, we recover and reuse materials, significantly reducing landfill waste and conserving resources.
  • Financial Savings: While demolition often includes costly debris removal, deconstruction can offset those expenses. Our team salvages usable materials, allowing us to reduce disposal costs while creating revenue to support our mission.
  • Preserving History: Your building holds memories and craftsmanship that deserve to be preserved. Our deconstruction efforts save historical elements, giving them new life in other homes, businesses, and projects around Baltimore.

The Tax Benefits of Donating a Building

One of the advantages of donating a structure to Second Chance is the potential for tax benefits. When you donate your house, you may be eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction based on the value of the materials salvaged. Second Chance will provide you with the documentation needed to claim these deductions, and our team can guide you on what to expect in terms of savings. Consult with a tax professional to explore how donating your building can maximize your tax benefits.

For property owners, architects, and developers looking to make a difference, donating a structure is a meaningful way to support a nonprofit while realizing financial benefits.

Hear from Our Donors

Just a quick note to let you know how impressed I am with the crews from Second Chance. These guys have done an amazing job so far of removing everything from the house. They are so thorough, hard-working, and effective! I had no idea they would salvage as much as they have. Frankly, it makes me feel a lot better that things aren’t going to waste and can be repurposed. Thanks so much.
Don Texist
Whole-Home Donor

House Donation FAQs

If you’re completing the form on behalf of someone else—such as a client, relative, or company—please indicate that on the form. Our team can work with you to ensure all necessary permissions and documentation are in place.

Our services are often less expensive than traditional demolition, and in some cases, deconstruction costs can be offset through the value of salvaged materials. Contact us to discuss pricing and options.

Yes! Whether you have a whole structure or just certain materials, Second Chance is happy to work with you. Our team will assess the property to determine what can be salvaged and reused.

Make a difference today.

By choosing deconstruction over demolition, you’re helping to preserve Baltimore’s architectural history, reduce landfill waste, and create jobs for individuals in need of a second chance. At Second Chance, we believe that every building, material, and person has the potential for a new beginning. Thank you for considering this impactful option, and we look forward to working with you to make a difference in our community.

To start your consultation, fill out the contact form or give us a call at (410) 385-1700 and our Deconstruction specialists will get you started.

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