The PlaceMakers and Firewood Farms Tour – Two Paths to Deconstruction, Diversion and Design at the CRRA 47th Annual Conference

The PlaceMakers and Firewood Farms Tour - Two Paths to Deconstruction, Diversion and Design
August 16, 2023

1^st stop: PlaceMakers, Inc.

PlaceMakers primary business is high-end residential demo. They are the demo subcontractor to the general contractor. In general, they don’t demolish homes, they deconstruct and prep for major remodel(s). The big difference with PlaceMakers is that they #salvage everything that they can. From chandeliers to crystal wall sconces, from a Sub-Zero fridge to a Bosch washing machine, from the old growth redwood wall paneling to the 2” oak floor, it all goes back to their lumberyard of vintage reclaimed wood and then to their showroom. They get a wide variety of materials from many eras. It's fun and exciting!

They are open to the public and offer a diverse array of architectural assets such as:

• Reclaimed lumber
• Plumbing and lighting fixtures
• Cabinets and vanities
• Railings and gates
• Windows and doors
• Fire surrounds and vintage tile

2^nd stop: Firewood Farms

Doing what they love and loving what they do for over 48 years, at their essence, Firewood Farms’ mission is to divert logs, lumber and green waste from the landfill and create sustainable products. They have four distinct businesses; Manufacturers and Service: Firewood Producers / Suppliers, Chainsaw Carved Wood Sculptures, Live Edge Wood Slabs, Reclaimed / Salvaged lumber & timbers. Services they provide include de-construction of building and structures, portable sawmill, slab flattening and re-saw work, custom design, and delivery. Firewood Farms is a true ‘Green’ business and pride themselves on offering clients the highest quality products with the lowest transport and manufacture-related emissions. Typically, material is sourced within a 100-mile radius of their facility. Their Chainsaw Sculptures are some of the best to be found – sculptors have a combined experience of over 120 yrs in the industry and create sculptures of all shapes and sizes. One of the largest completed pieces weighed over 45 tons and stood over 37 ft tall!

Their Reclaimed and Salvaged wood products, used for both commercial and residential work, include:

• Flooring and trim
• Siding
• Countertops and paneling
• Stair treads
• Beams
• Timbers and slab furniture

Tour Timing: 

• 2:00 pm: Leave Hyatt (meet on the lobby level behind the Concierge Desk). Travel time 30-40 min to get to PlaceMakers
  
• 2:45 pm-3:30 pm: PlaceMakers Tour (45 min tour/discussion)
  
• 3:30 pm: Leave PlaceMakers to Firewood Farms. Travel time 25-30 min to Firewood Farms
  
• 4:15 pm-5:00 pm: Firewood Farms Tour (45 min tour/discussion)
  
• 5:00 pm: Leave Firewood Farms back to Hyatt. Travel time 25-30 minutes
• 5:30 pm: Return to Hyatt
  

The “Do’s and the Don’ts”

• Do wear closed-toe shoes (suggested)
  
• Do bring a water bottle