Why HGTV's Jenn Todryk Aims To Sell What She Removes From A Home Renovation

When planning a home renovation, every dollar matters. That's why, when it comes to projects that involve some demo work, HGTV star Jenn Todryk recommends doing what you can to sell usable items on resale markets. That way, you can take that money earned from unwanted or unneeded furnishings, cabinetry, or just about anything else and add it to the reno budget.

In an article with TexasMonthly, Todryk shares that using services like Facebook marketplace is crucial, stating, "Right now, we are in a crazy spot that we've never really been in [with] the housing market." She's implying that people have already spent a significant amount of money on buying a home. They need to make use of every component within that home, even the components they would otherwise toss out during demolition, to extend their budget. What may seem like trash to you may still be usable for others to purchase.

A wide range of people use materials on marketplace sites like this to update their own homes, turn their newly purchased homes into rental properties, or even upscale furnishings to create an artistic vibe. Your no-longer-needed materials could be a treasure to someone else.

As you tackle your next home renovation project, take a closer look at everything in that space to decide if you can salvage it and sell it to someone else. There may be more opportunities than you think to recoup some extra funds during the demolition process. A good starting point is selling your kitchen cabinets and countertops. Even very heavy granite may be salvageable, and some people may even come to your home to remove it for you. To do this, take clear photos of your cleaned-up cabinetry and countertops. Then, use sites like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and local community buy-and-sell groups to find buyers.

Consider doing the same with any bathroom fixtures you may be planning to replace, including the vanity and countertop, shower doors, and wall cabinetry. Be sure to wipe everything down to remove any risk of damage.

Are you removing ceramic tile from your kitchen to add new hardwoods? You may not realize it, but higher-quality flooring materials like natural stone can be an excellent resell material. Specifically, turn to artisans who work with this type of material. They may be able to repurpose that marble or granite tile that's in a dozen pieces into a tabletop display or a piece of art. Turn to local art schools, pottery locations, or artisans you know within your community.

Depending on what you're tearing out and replacing, there could be some extra money in these items by selling them to recycling locations. Are you tearing down a pool in your backyard? Find a local aluminum scrap yard that pays money for the material. You can do the same thing with most types of metal, including steel, tin, cast iron, copper (don't forget all of those copper pipes in your home), and brass.

You may also be able to sell many of the accessories you're tearing out. That includes old appliances (some scrappers will even pay for non-working appliances so they can part them out). Consider things like shower, bathroom, and kitchen fixtures to be an item you can resell as well. If you are tearing out old wood flooring, there may be some local scrappers willing to pay for that, too.

If all else fails and you just want the items out of your home, turn to local organizations to donate them. For example, many Habitat for Humanity locations accept building materials and other usable items for free. They then resell those to help fund their projects. Look for other local organizations in your community that do the same. The benefit to you is getting the items out of your home and potentially skipping having to pay for a dumpster to toss the items out.