Not everyone wants to build a new house from scratch. Others want to renovate an existing abode like a historic building or even use building materials from one to retain the character of days gone by. 

However, salvaging historic buildings and their materials in NZ can take a significant amount of planning and hard work. Before you jump right in, consider the following information.

 

What Is a Historic Building?

A historic building isn’t a structure you just consider old. They are buildings of cultural, historical, or heritage value, including buildings in historic areas and registered as historic. These might include buildings listed as historic in district and regional plans, heritage buildings listed in a Historic Resources Strategy, structures associated with a historic cemetery, and more.

There is a multitude of different ways a building can be considered historical, which is why it’s so crucial to do your homework before undertaking any salvage or renovation tasks.

 

Requesting a Project Information Memorandum (PIM)

If you’re going to be working on a building that requires building consent, you may be required to request a project information memorandum (PIM). A PIM lets builders and developers know about historical features and any heritage statuses of which to be aware.

It may also outline any special land features that may impact the works you’re going to carry out, along with stormwater and wastewater, network utility operator information, and even natural hazards. You can find out more about PIMs by visiting the Department of Building and Housing website.

 

What Can Be Salvaged From Existing Buildings?

When you decide to salvage as many materials as possible, with permission, from a historic building, you may be wondering what’s appropriate to take. As long as you have all the relevant paperwork and approvals, nearly anything from a historic building can be salvaged.

Materials include doors and windows, linings and finishings, and timber products like native timbers, hardwood timbers, hardwood flooring, timber truss joists, and more.

 

Managing Hazardous Materials

No historic building, or old home for that matter, will be entirely free of hazardous materials. These generally can’t be reused and must be disposed of safely. Always check with your local council for information on how to dispose of hazardous materials safely.

These might include fluorescent light ballasts made before 1978 that may contain PCBs. Fluorescent lamps also contain mercury, and CFCs may be found in any equipment containing refrigerants, such as air conditioners and refrigerators.

Batteries with acid, mercury, and lead are hazardous, too, along with paints, solvents, and materials with lead-based finishes. However, asbestos is one of the most commonly found dangerous materials in general homes and even some renovated historic homes.

Before any salvage work gets underway, it’s crucial to contact asbestos removal experts who can undertake extensive testing to confirm its presence before providing helpful advice on its safe removal or encapsulation.

Asbestos removal teams in NZ can also arrange for the safe removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials so that you can carry on with your historic building salvaging project as soon as possible.

An example of asbestos removal in a historic building is the Historic Village in Tauranga. In 2015, asbestos was identified on the mezzanine floor of a Historic Village building.

The Tauranga City Council was alerted to the potential contamination and carried out testing. Half of the tests returned positive, and the area was closed off for accredited contractors to visit, clean the building equipment, and advise on the best asbestos removal processes for that unique structure.

 

Demolishing a Historic Building

Historic building demolition is only allowed in very specific situations, such as these below.

• The demolition won’t compromise the place’s significance, integrity, landscape, area, or streetscape

• The building or structure is beyond repair and structurally unsafe, with evidence via a professional engineering assessment

• Only a small area is being demolished, with conservation achieved on the majority of the structure

Generally, all buildings of heritage significance should be protected from demolition. However, expert professional evidence, including an engineering report and economic feasibility and options report, can be how businesses and individuals can get the demolition process underway.

If a building was built before 1900, the archaeological authority process under the Historic Places Act 1993 might bear some relevance. Full documentation and records are required before and during a demolition process.

Fortunately, when you’ve undertaken all appropriate steps to salvage or demolish a historic building, there are many demolition experts available to help with all aspects of demolition, including clearing, debris cleanup, asbestos removal, hazardous waste disposal, and more.

 

Leave Salvaging and Demolition to the Experts

There can be a lot involved in general salvaging and demolition, let alone salvaging and demolition of a historic building. Take the time to review your options and align yourself with industry experts who can take the lead for a stress-free and straightforward experience.