How to shop for salvage

This environment requires a high level of savvy and selectiveness.

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Marble tile, granite countertops, wood flooring and kitchen appliances at half the cost of retail. Reusing items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

That’s the premise behind auction houses and centers that peddle donated and salvaged home materials, such as Murco Recycling Enterprises, a La Grange Park, Ill.-based company that auctions off home parts just before a property is demolished.

But shopping for materials in this environment isn’t the same as shopping for them in a hardware or big-box store. It requires a high level of savvy and selectiveness.

Here’s what Jodi Murphy, Murco’s owner, and other experts say you should know before handing over one dollar for salvaged goods.

U Risky business. The second-hand home-goods business generally comes in two forms: auctions, such as Murco and eBay, and brick-and-mortar stores, such as Habitat for Humanity ReStores. As evidenced on Murphy’s new reality TV show, “Total Wrecklamation,” auctions are risky: inherently fast, competitive and emotional. That environment can sometimes draw bidders into paying more than they had originally budgeted — or worse, more than the object’s retail value. Experts suggest novices shop auctions only with an experienced contractor or remodeler.

U Come prepared. Walking blind into an auction or ReStore-type environment won’t get you anywhere other than in trouble. Bring as much information as possible regarding your space. Bring tools, especially to demolition auctions, where you may be required to excavate the materials yourself. Bring money, as the affordability and one-of-each nature of the materials means items sell fast. Lastly, come with the means and muscle to take home purchased items that day.

U Be salvage savvy. “There are some items you don’t want to get if they’ve been used before, because you’ll just be inviting more problems into your home,” one expert says. On that list: drywall, ceiling tiles, HVAC equipment and appliances more than a couple of years old. Items that can be ideal for reuse: cabinetry, tile, wood flooring, molding, doors and decorative architectural elements.

U Snag an expert. Sure, the cost of hiring a contractor to shop with you can cancel out the savings gained from buying reused materials. But without one, the potential for wasting money may be even greater.

U Get smart. In such an expensive, complicated situation, the more you know, the better. Take advantage of workshops and classes.