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TV's Dan Hill's top tips on sourcing reclaimed materials

Not only is sourcing reclaimed materials eco-friendly, it is also the latest trend for cash-strapped homeowners looking for something that little bit different. Dan Hill from TV's The New Reclaimers gives his top tips on getting more for less and finding hidden treasure on the often overlooked goldmines that are building and demolition sites.

 

 

Every building site will have surplus materials left over, these will always be the last things to throw away just before the project is handed back to the client. So keep an eye on any major building work in your local area. When you think the time is right, ask to speak to the site manager he is the person who has control of the site and has the authority to let you take the materials.

 

 

For old reclaimed items like Victorian bricks and old pine floor boards you need to approach demolition sites.

 

 

Building sites can be dangerous places and you are far more likely to be allowed on site if you have appropriate safety clothing. Make sure you take a hard-hat, high visibility vest and boots. These three items of clothing are the very least you’ll need

 

 

Reclaimed materials don’t come in standard sizes, so make sure you’ve got your measurements and a tape measure at the ready and you won’t leave anything to chance.

 

 

There are a lot of companies which specialise in one area like kitchen fitting or a roof tiler and these companies will often pull out perfectly good materials to make way for something a bit newer.

 

 

Timing is a fine art. Sometimes buildings can be up one day, and gone the next. Contact your local council or demolition teams in your area to get in there before it’s too late.

 

 

Once the project has come to an end and the decision has been made to throw away the surplus materials this will happen within a few days. So increase your chances of nabbing those materials by arriving in a van, ready to take stuff away there and then.

 

 

When you’re on the hunt for cosmetic elements of your makeover, the chances of finding everything you want are slim. Keep an open mind and get creative with what you find.

 

 

Don’t be afraid to ask in shops for stuff that they can’t shift. Tell them that you’re on a tight budget and you may be surprised at the discounts you’ll find.

 

 

When you're trying to source reclaimed items especially if you want to get them for free it takes a long time and a lot of dedication. But keep at it because the result and savings will be worth it in the end.

 

 

You don’t need to throw out that old chest of draws if you want a new look in your living room. Look at the furniture you already have and get creative with a bit of sanding and a lick of paint. If you don’t have anything appropriate keep an eye out at your local charity shop.

 

 

Dan Hill presented the TV series The New Reclaimers in which he transformed rooms using reclaimed and surplus building materials. Dan is a leading expert on using reclaimed materials and building waste. His interest in reclaimed goods developed when he was working in the construction industry.

 

He identified that a vast amount of new and re-usable materials were being discarded as it was more economical and less time consuming for construction companies to throw away materials and send them to landfill, than to transport them back to warehouses and store them until they could be re-used. Out of this discovery,with just £250, a borrowed van and renting his neighbour's garden, Dan started his first business, Tiger, a material re-use centre. Dan now specialises in resourcing high end, reclaimed materials including fireplaces and staircases for clients.

 

Dan will be appearing at The Ideal Home Show on March 19th and 29th. For more details on Dan's work visit www.danielhill.tv