FAQ

Yes, there can be financial incentives for salvaging or relocating a home. These include potential cost savings compared to demolition, tax credits for waste reduction or historic preservation (where applicable), and the opportunity to offset costs by repurposing valuable materials or selling the home to a new owner. Additionally, salvaging a home reduces landfill fees and may qualify for grants or subsidies tied to sustainable building practices in certain regions.

Responsible deconstruction significantly reduces environmental impact by diverting valuable materials from landfills and repurposing them for future use. For example, saving a 1,500-square-foot house from demolition can prevent approximately 50 tons of waste from entering landfills and avoid the release of 80 tons of CO2 associated with producing and transporting new materials. This process also preserves embodied carbon, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to a circular economy, making it a highly sustainable choice for development projects.

Homes considered for relocation or salvage must meet specific criteria, including structural integrity, moveability, and overall condition. Key factors include the quality of materials (e.g., first-growth timber), sound construction, and the condition of major components like the roof, windows, and mechanical systems. The home must also be free of significant hazardous materials or have a feasible abatement plan. Only about 8% of homes assessed meet our high standards for relocation or salvage, ensuring we select the best candidates for Renewal Homes.

To determine whether a home is a good candidate for rescue, we evaluate homes based on several key criteria, including structural integrity, condition of materials (e.g., first-growth timber, roof, windows), and movability. We also review the presence of hazardous materials, the feasibility of relocation, and the overall potential for modernization.

Only homes that meet our rigorous standards for quality and sustainability are selected for repurposing, ensuring every Renewal Home offers lasting value and character. Homes that cannot be rescued are responsibly deconstructed.

The process begins with a structural assessment to ensure the home is suitable for relocation or salvage. For relocation, the home is detached from its foundation, reinforced for transport, and carefully lifted onto transport equipment. It is then moved along a pre-planned route to its new site, where it is placed on a prepared foundation.

For deconstruction, salvageable materials such as timber, fixtures, and windows are carefully removed, catalogued, and stored for reuse when possible, minimizing waste and maximizing sustainability. Each step is managed with precision to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

While the timeline depends on the specific project, typically, site clearing for redevelopment takes between 2–4 weeks. This includes structural assessments, utility disconnections, removal of hazardous materials, and either relocating the home or deconstructing it for salvage. Larger or more complex sites may require additional time to ensure all work is completed safely and efficiently.

Homes that cannot be relocated are carefully deconstructed to salvage as many materials as possible. Components such as timber, windows, doors, fixtures, and hardware are removed and repurposed for other projects, minimizing waste and preserving valuable resources. Any remaining materials are responsibly recycled or disposed of to reduce landfill impact. This approach ensures even non-relocatable homes support a sustainable shift from traditional demolition.

Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, are managed with the utmost care and compliance with local regulations. Licensed abatement professionals conduct thorough inspections and safely remove hazardous materials before relocation or deconstruction begins. This ensures the safety of workers, future occupants, and the surrounding environment while adhering to all legal requirements.

Yes, we collaborate with developers on large-scale land assembly projects to provide sustainable solutions for clearing multiple sites. Our services include assessing homes for relocation or salvage, coordinating the removal process, and managing site clearing efficiently. This approach helps developers meet project timelines while reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility.

Yes, you can refer a home for salvage even if you’re not the owner. We welcome referrals from neighbours, community members, or professionals who know of homes slated for demolition.

While we’ll need the owner’s permission to proceed, referrals can initiate a conversation that could help save a valuable structure from being lost and turn it into a sustainable solution.

We follow a comprehensive site-clearing process to prepare it for new development. This includes removing the home, clearing debris, addressing hazardous materials, and levelling the site. Utilities are safely disconnected, and any necessary excavation is completed. The site is left clean and ready for the next phase of construction, ensuring a smooth transition for the developer or homeowner.

On average, our homes cost approximately $140 - $165 per square foot, plus additional pre- and post-delivery costs. This pricing makes a delivered Renewal Home 20–40% more affordable than modular or new builds. When factoring in savings from repurposed materials and reduced construction time, Renewal Homes offer unmatched value without compromising on quality or character.

The cost of a Renewal Home includes the home itself and its transportation to your site. Depending on your preferences and the home’s condition, additional upgrades or renovations can also be included. These may range from layout adjustments to energy-efficient systems, giving you the flexibility to tailor the home to your needs.

Each Renewal Home undergoes a rigorous assessment process. We evaluate structural integrity, moveability, and the condition of major components such as the roof, windows, and mechanical systems. Homes must also meet strict criteria for suitability and sustainability, including the absence of significant hazardous materials. Only about 8% of the homes we evaluate meet our high standards, ensuring every Renewal Home offers lasting quality and value.

The timeline for acquiring a Renewal Home typically takes several months. This includes pre-delivery preparation such as site clearing and permit applications, home relocation to your property, and any post-delivery construction or customizations. While timelines vary depending on project complexity, the process is often significantly faster than building a new home from scratch.

Renewal Homes are among the most sustainable housing options available. Each home rescued prevents up to 50 tons of waste from entering landfills and avoids 80 tons of CO2 emissions from new material production. By preserving the embodied carbon in existing structures, Renewal Homes significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a circular economy.

Yes, many Renewal Homes can be customized to meet your specific needs. Customization options include adjusting layouts, updating finishes, or integrating energy-efficient upgrades. The scope of customization depends on the home’s condition and your budget, ensuring that your Renewal Home reflects your unique vision.

You can choose from several foundation options to suit your needs and budget, including a crawl space, unfinished basement, or finished basement. Crawl spaces are the most cost-effective, while finished basements provide the greatest value per square foot by maximizing usable space and amortizing costs like land development and service connections.

For more information about Renewal Homes, the process, and available options, reach out to us directly. Our team is happy to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

Contact us at:
📧 admin@renewaldevelopment.ca
📞 236-660-2690

We look forward to hearing from you!

Relocating and repurposing a home has a dramatically lower environmental impact than demolition and new construction. It diverts up to 50 tons of waste from landfills and prevents the emission of 80 tons of CO2, which would otherwise result from producing new materials. By preserving the embodied carbon of existing structures, this process significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes a circular economy.

Renewal Development works closely with Indigenous communities to provide affordable housing solutions that support community-building and sustainability. By partnering on projects like the Little Yellow School House, we address historical injustices and foster reconciliation by providing repurposed homes for meaningful uses, such as housing and community spaces. These efforts honour Indigenous traditions while promoting environmentally responsible development.

Yes, Renewal Development strongly supports urban densification as part of a sustainable approach to housing. Higher-density housing projects are necessary in our region to better meet growing population demands.

At the same time, our work ensures these homes are not lost to demolition. Salvaging and repurposing them directly contributes to addressing housing shortages by providing high-quality, affordable housing options quickly. Relocating these homes offers a sustainable and efficient way to supply housing in underserved areas, including remote and Indigenous communities, while maximizing the available housing stock for those in need.

This dual focus allows us to support densification efforts while simultaneously addressing the urgent need for affordable housing across the region.