Demolition Derby

Like garage sales? Doing any sort of home improvement project? Check out a demolition sale.

Bring a flashlight, cash, and tools. If there are any specific things you need for your house, measure them ahead of time. Think curtain rods, doors, shelves, mantles, sinks, bathtubs, etc. Get an entire 1960s kitchen, depression-era door chimes, and an almost-new washer/dryer all for bargain prices.

In Chicago, there are two more good-looking demolition sales this weekend by Demo Pro, my current favorite of the Chicagoland demolition sales companies. Man-in-charge Terry is honest and just a generally good human being whose mission is to see quality pieces of a landfill-bound house go to people who can use them at a fair price. Last Saturday there was a house with gorgeous carved wood banisters, beveled leaded glass windows, and a huge fireplace mantle that all went to waste because I didn't have a truck and so few people showed up to the sale. So even though it means more competition for my scavenging, sharing this secret is worth it to see Terry get the business and 100-year-old ornate crown molding find new life.