Creative Homeownership Through Recycling Abandoned Structures

As the cost of new construction and to purchase existing homes continue to escalate, people all across the country are looking for ways to reduce the cost of owning their own home. One method that is growing in popularity is recycling structures. People are doing this by remodeling abandoned school houses, stores, barns, and other structures long since forgotten and no longer used for their original intended purpose. As long as local zoning laws permit it, salvaging abandoned structures and recycling them into useable dwellings can save an individual looking to own a home of their own a great deal of money.

Abandoned structures are everywhere, just look around in nearly any community. And often they are in stable enough condition to actually be viable candidates for recycling. If you can not find one in your community, you can write to the Department of Education in the state of your choice and ask for the addresses of the school administration offices. Choose a contact from that list in an area of your choice and write or contact them and inquire about the location of vacant structures they have and are interested in disposing of. Old barns, homes, ruined bars, restaurants, and cafes owned by the state or local municipality should also be considered. Often these structures are auctioned. Additional inquires at the area court house should provide you with that auction information.

Information about privately owned abandoned structures belonging to individuals can be obtained from the County Hall of Records or City Hall. The property's tax map key will lead you to information regarding the owner and how to contact them. Another project to consider during your search, is the location and securing of useful building/construction materials you can use in your recycling structure project. Old railroad tracks could be the source of some interesting materials. Property owners who have deserted old barns, homes, and miscellaneous structures on their property will often welcome interested parties who will demolish the entire structure and cart it away. Therefore in your search for the right abandoned structure to recycle, keep your eyes opened for potential recyclable construction materials also.

Initially, the thought of building out, or recycling an abandoned structure may seem scary and a monumental task that is beyond your abilities. There have been thousands of others who have traversed this road before you and have successfully completed their project...know that you can to. If you have limited to no carpentry or building skills, learn. There are lots of books available and many educational extension programs offer how to classes in introductory carpentry, electrical wiring and plumbing. This undertaking will require work, a lot of it. How much does owning a home of your own mean to you? Do you want it enough to get a little dirty? Recycling an abandoned structure will get you dirty, but it will also get you a home of your own.

Resource: New Homes From Old Homes - Backwoods Home Magazine - January/February, 1992

Real Estate, homeownership, home remodeling