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Salvage and Reclamation

First things first and in case you didn't know...

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Working in reclamation and salvage often involves recovering, repurposing, and/ or recycling materials and items from buildings, vehicles, and other structures.

 

This might include salvaging architectural features, fixtures, metals, and other valuable or reusable materials. Reclamation workers might clean, repair, and resell these materials or supply them as is for clients to do the clean and repair. They also work for and sell to clients that need sustainable and historically accurate materials.

Key skills/talents

Here are 10 key skills and talents that would be useful in reclamation and salvage:

  1. Attention to Detail: To accurately assess the value and condition of salvaged items.

  2. Physical Stamina: The job can involve heavy lifting and long hours on-site.

  3. Problem-Solving: Salvaging materials may require creative dismantling and recycling techniques.

  4. Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with building materials, metals, or architectural elements.

  5. Negotiation Skills: To secure salvaged items at competitive prices or sell them profitably.

  6. Project Management: Planning and managing salvage projects.

  7. Safety Awareness: Adherence to health and safety protocols.

  8. Restoration Skills: Ability to restore and maintain salvaged materials.

  9. Networking: Connecting with suppliers, buyers, and contractors.

  10. Sustainability Awareness: Knowledge of eco-friendly practices in material reuse and recycling.

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​Qualifications required

While formal qualifications aren’t always required, the following can be helpful...

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Qualifications in fields like construction, architecture, restoration, or sustainable design can be beneficial. Search the National Careers Service website for courses local to you: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk, or the UCAS website if you are looking for a higher level of qualification: https://www.ucas.com

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Specialist certifications are often necessary, but always valuable, such as handling hazardous materials or deconstruction: https://vinciworks.com/coursedemo/?courseid=266

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Apprenticeships: A hands-on approach in salvage yards or with reclamation companies can provide practical skills. You can search for apprenticeships in your area here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

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Health and Safety Training: Certifications like CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), particularly if working on construction sites: https://www.cscs.uk.com

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Rules and regs

As you would imagine, there are several legal requirements you would need to be aware of and adhere to, these include:

 

Historic Environment Regulations: Guidelines for handling historical or listed building elements, as some materials may be protected by law. The GOV Uk site gives a lot of information on this, such as:

 

In addition to the planning framework which is primarily set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990:

  • The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 provides specific protection for buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest

  • The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 provides specific protection for monuments of national interest

  • The Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 provides specific protection for wreck sites of archaeological, historic or artistic interest

  • The Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 makes provision for the compilation of a register of gardens and other land (parks and gardens, and battlefields).

  • While not part of the legislative framework, the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and National Heritage 1972 (to which the UK is a signatory) makes provision for the World Heritage List, which is a list of cultural and/or natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value.

 

In the reclamation and salvage industry, several types of insurance are essential to ensure full protection against potential risks and simply google searches will pop numerous providers who can provide quotes.

 

Public Liability Insurance is crucial for covering any third-party injury or property damage, while Employer’s Liability Insurance is legally required if you have employees. 

 

For those offering advisory or consultation services, Professional Indemnity Insurance provides additional protection. 

 

Property Insurance is also valuable, as it safeguards any salvaged materials in your possession. 

 

Finally, Specialist Salvage Insurance, designed specifically for salvage work, may cover environmental risks and specific hazards encountered on-site.

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Remuneration framework

This is a near-on impossible 'question' to answer, simply because there are so many variables, not least what you salvage and reclaim the most (type of items); how cheaply you buy them and how valuable they are to re-sell. Let alone the work involved to perhaps tidy and restore each item.

 

Louise and her partner specialise in old bathroom sanitary ware, which is neither cheap to buy, cheap to manage (it’s all pretty heavy), and isn’t sold on cheaply.

 

As we have previously offered up, people in this and similar fields generally work one of two ways:

  1. Either on a margin and mark-up basis, which is to purchase the item, and then allow a % mark-up to cover the work hours involved to complete the job… and to allow you to make a profit.

  2. The other way is to pay yourself a set amount per hour, and when you cost all the work involved up, you work out how long it will take you to complete the job (i.e. 50 hours), and you add that onto the purchase cost.

 

A third option is to do both... Do option 2, and then add a margin on as well, i.e an additional 10% to cover unexpected changes or mistakes.

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How to get started

If this kind of career is something you’re considering, then it’s clearly a keen interest area for you, which means it’s unlikely you haven’t dabbled in some form of salvage and reclamation already. However, to get properly started in the reclamation and salvage industry, gaining further hands-on experience is EVERYTHING. This could involve working (even volunteering) in a salvage yard, architectural salvage company, or with a restoration firm. It could even just involve you spending more time on it yourself, and getting out there, buying items and selling them on. This is how Louise’s partner, Sam started out (whilst doing a day job elsewhere).

 

Building strong and vast connections is equally important, so networking with builders, demolition companies, and interior designers can open valuable opportunities. 

 

Industry certifications may add credibility to your expertise, and setting up a portfolio to showcase your work, along with any unique reclaimed items you’ve restored or sold, can demonstrate your skills to potential clients or employers.

 

Developing a niche by specialising in a particular type of reclaimed material, such as timber, metals, or period architectural features, like Louise does, can help you stand out. 

 

Space! No matter what you’re buying and selling, you will need storage space, so if you’re going ‘in’... like really ‘in’ on this, you’ll need a clear garage or outbuilding at the very least. All of which needs to be dry and secure. It’s a common thing for this type of passion and hobby to take over one’s home as well, but we would really recommend against this… The consequences on your and your family’s mental health may seem small to start, but things can quickly escalates and then can be difficult to address.

 

Try and keep your work and your home separate… would always be our advice.

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Job site links

To find job opportunities in the reclamation and salvage industry, check online job boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Reed, which often list openings in this field. 

 

Industry-specific sites, like SALVO and other reclaimed material networks, are also valuable resources for locating positions: https://www.salvoweb.com/directory/13953-salvo-fair

 

Additionally, attending networking events and trade shows, such as those hosted by the Reclamation Yard Association: https://vintageandarchitectural.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/trade-association-rita-reclamation-industry-trade-association, or Architectural Salvage events, can help you connect with potential employers and industry professionals. 

 

Some jobs may also be available directly through construction or demolition companies, providing another path into the industry.

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Associations or official bodies to register with

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Progression pathway​

The world is your oyster in many ways, and if you’re good, and you establish a strong reputation, and if you’re willing to adapt and grow with the times, trends and market influences, then this career can take you wherever you want it to, which may mean multiple physically sites, or just multiple online platforms.

 

Louise and her partner buy and ship all over the world, which means variety and travel.

 

They have also chosen (more recently) to specialise in bathrooms and sanitary ware, which could mean they become (world) industry experts in this field. As such, their expertise could be called in (at a cost) to validate and value other items, not just their own.

 

A different area of reclamation, but Chops knows of someone who is a ‘world expert’ in the validation and restoration of vintage Bentleys and as such gets flown around the world for their expertise.

 

As we’ve said, it’s your oyster to develop and grow.

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