Salvage Value
Salvage Value refers to the worth of materials and items that can be recovered, reused, or sold during a demolition project. This is an important concept in demolition work because it affects project costs and environmental impact. When someone lists this on their resume, they're showing they understand how to evaluate buildings for valuable materials like metals, fixtures, or historical elements that can be resold or repurposed instead of being sent to landfills. This skill is valuable because it can help offset demolition costs and supports sustainable construction practices.
Examples in Resumes
Managed demolition projects with over $50,000 in Salvage Value recovery
Developed assessment procedures for determining Salvage Value and Reclaim Value in commercial demolitions
Led team in recovering $100,000 worth of Salvage Materials and Salvage Value items from historical building demolition
Typical job title: "Demolition Estimators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Demolition Estimators
Professional Organizations
Online Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you determine the potential salvage value of a large commercial building before demolition?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should mention conducting thorough building inspections, researching market prices for materials, considering historical value of elements, and having established relationships with salvage buyers and recyclers.
Q: Tell me about a time you maximized salvage value on a challenging project.
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership in organizing the salvage process, knowledge of material markets, and ability to balance recovery time with project deadlines.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What materials typically have the highest salvage value in demolition projects?
Expected Answer: Should mention common valuable materials like copper wiring, structural steel, hardwood floors, architectural elements, and historical fixtures, along with current market knowledge.
Q: How do you integrate salvage operations into the demolition timeline?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to plan salvage work phases, coordinate teams for careful removal, and maintain project schedule while maximizing recovery.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What safety considerations are important when salvaging materials?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic safety procedures like proper PPE, checking for hazardous materials, safe lifting practices, and following removal sequences.
Q: How do you identify materials worth salvaging?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic valuable materials, explain how to check material condition, and know when to ask senior team members for guidance.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic material identification
- Understanding of demolition safety
- Knowledge of common salvageable items
- Ability to sort and classify materials
Mid (2-5 years)
- Material value estimation
- Coordination of salvage operations
- Knowledge of recycling markets
- Project timeline management
Senior (5+ years)
- Large project salvage planning
- Market price negotiation
- Team supervision
- Historical preservation knowledge
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of material market values
- Lack of safety awareness in salvage operations
- No experience with documentation or inventory tracking
- Unable to identify valuable materials from common demolition waste
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
When Hiring from Competitors: Goldmine or Landmine?
The Hidden Art of Salary Negotiation: How to Win Hearts Without Going Broke
Cutting HR Costs Without Sacrificing Quality: A How-To for Savvy Executives
