Every old barn has value in it, whether as a still-viable structure or for its building materials. If your barn is in disrepair or you just don’t need it anymore, you might be wondering if it’s worthwhile to tear it down and sell its materials.
The dollar value of old barn wood cannot be understated. Reclaimed wood has a rich history, beautifully aged look, and outstanding durability and strength. Old metal hardware is sought after too. Using reclaimed wood and hardware in building, renovating, and decorating is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
But just how much your old barn is worth will depend on several factors.
What Condition Is Your Barn In?
What Types of Old Barn Wood Do You Have?
Some common wood species that reclaimed wood sellers are always looking for include:
- Red oak
- White oak
- Yellow pine
- White pine
- Heart pine
- Hemlock
Just as sought after, but less common:
- Poplar
- Elm
- Maple
- Hickory
White oak is always in demand. It’s the hardest wood used in barns in North America, so it’s ideal for outdoor use and flooring because it doesn’t wear easily. A barn full of white oak can be worth $10,000 or more.
Chestnut is another popular wood, highly prized for flooring and furniture thanks to its beauty and durability. However, most of the chestnut trees in North America were destroyed by blight in the early 1900s, so this wood is rare.
Is There Old Hardware in Your Barn?
Does Your Barn Contain Harmful Materials?
All items with asbestos must be disposed of according to local regulations. Sanding and removing items with lead requires extra precautions to avoid inhalation. Asbestos and lead removal will both incur added time and expense, detracting from the value of your barn.
How Big Is Your Barn?
How Much Will Barn Removal & Reclamation Cost?
If your old barn is already down, whether it collapsed or you did it yourself, additional work may be needed to carefully untangle the structure. Beams and other wood might be damaged if they haven’t been covered by a roof. In this case, many salvagers will request photos of the materials before (and if) they pick them up. They may require you to deliver your old barn wood to them instead.
Professional Barn Removal
As you can see, the answer to “How much is an old barn worth?” is “It depends.” A professional evaluation will give you a better idea. If taking down your old barn and shopping around its wood and hardware sounds like a lot of work, leave it to Vintage Wood & Forged Iron! Our barn removal and reclamation services give these time-tested materials new life. Our professional and fully insured crew will carefully dismantle your old barn, salvage and clean any viable barn wood and hardware, and haul everything else away. Contact us today for a quote.