Foundational knowledge to understand deconstruction,
sustainability, and the circular construction economy.
General Education
This course introduces architects and design professionals to the principles and practice of deconstruction, emphasizing how material recovery, reuse, and lifecycle thinking can inform better design decisions. Participants will gain insight into how deconstruction supports sustainable building strategies, reduces waste, and creates opportunities to integrate reclaimed materials into future projects.
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Equips contractors with the essential skills to plan, execute, and document deconstruction projects from start to finish, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and material recovery. Participants receive, 2 CE credits through Minnesota Department of Commerce, 7 day free trial of DECONQ App
and Micro-Credential. Designed for contractors looking to expand services and maximize value through deconstruction and reuse.
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This course introduces homeowners to the benefits of deconstruction when planning a renovation or teardown, including how salvaging materials can reduce costs, create potential tax advantages, and minimize waste. Participants will learn how deconstruction offers a more thoughtful, sustainable approach to improving their homes while supporting reuse and environmental responsibility.
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This course introduces real estate professionals to the value of deconstruction in today’s market, including how material recovery, reuse, and sustainable practices can impact property value, redevelopment opportunities, and client decision-making. Participants will gain practical insight into how deconstruction can reduce costs, create potential tax benefits, and support more informed, sustainable transactions.
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Hands-on training designed to build real-world skills in
deconstruction and material recovery.
Courses
(Level I – Foundational Course)
Learn how to identify, evaluate, and categorize building materials commonly encountered in deconstruction. This course teaches participants how to distinguish between structural and non-structural elements, assess material condition, and determine reuse, repurposing, or resale potential. Students will gain essential knowledge in recognizing high-value materials and understanding how proper identification impacts safety, efficiency, and profitability on the jobsite.
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(Level I → Level II Bridge Course)
This course focuses on the step-by-step process of safely dismantling structures using proper sequencing and techniques. Participants learn how to approach a building systematically—from soft strip to structural components—while maintaining safety and maximizing material recovery. Emphasis is placed on structural awareness, tool selection, and efficient workflow, preparing students for more advanced roles in project execution and supervision.
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Certified Deconstruction Documentation Specialist (CDDS™)
Prepares professionals to lead the compliance, reporting, and verification side of modern deconstruction projects. This certification focuses on photo documentation protocols, salvage logging, weight ticket management, EPA compliance tracking, diversion reporting, grant reporting, and municipal compliance documentation.
Graduates are equipped to support government funding requirements, ESG reporting, carbon accounting, and developer reporting, positioning them in a highly defensible niche at the intersection of construction, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.Certified Deconstruction Documentation Specialist (CDDS™)
Prepares professionals to lead the compliance, reporting, and verification side of modern deconstruction projects. This certification focuses on photo documentation protocols, salvage logging, weight ticket management, EPA compliance tracking, diversion reporting, grant reporting, and municipal compliance documentation.
Graduates are equipped to support government funding requirements, ESG reporting, carbon accounting, and developer reporting, positioning them in a highly defensible niche at the intersection of construction, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
Industry-recognized credentials to advance your career in
deconstruction and circular construction.
Certification
Deconstruction Contractor Certification is a fast-track 3-day, 24-hour hybrid boot camp designed for active contractors, real estate developers and builders who want to expand their service offerings by integrating professional deconstruction into their existing trade or business model. This intensive program delivers the complete pathway to becoming a Certified Deconstruction Contractor, equipping participants with the technical, operational, and business framework needed to add profitable, compliant, and sustainability-driven deconstruction services to their portfolio.
Municipalities looking to sponsor workforce development for local contractors are encouraged to consider this program, which can be delivered fully in person or in a flexible format of two days online and one day in person. PRE-REQUESITE GEN ED Contractor Edition
LEARN MORE >>>Deconstruction Contractor Certification is a fast-track 3-day, 24-hour hybrid boot camp designed for active contractors, real estate developers and builders who want to expand their service offerings by integrating professional deconstruction into their existing trade or business model. This intensive program delivers the complete pathway to becoming a Certified Deconstruction Contractor, equipping participants with the technical, operational, and business framework needed to add profitable, compliant, and sustainability-driven deconstruction services to their portfolio.
Municipalities looking to sponsor workforce development for local contractors are encouraged to consider this program, which can be delivered fully in person or in a flexible format of two days online and one day in person. PRE-REQUESITE GEN ED Contractor Edition
LEARN MORE >>>Level I: Certified Deconstruction Technician (CDT™)
Our entry-level workforce development and pre-apprenticeship program designed to prepare participants for safe, supervised jobsite execution. Students complete 40–80 hours of classroom instruction and 80–120 hours of hands-on field lab training, earning OSHA 10 certification while building core competencies in tool identification and safe use, selective disassembly methods, material grading and protection, basic salvage logistics, jobsite documentation, and hazard recognition (including lead and asbestos awareness).
PRE-REQUESITE GEN ED Contractor Edition
Certification requires a performance-based onsite assessment and successful completion of live material diversion tracking on a
Birch Group jobsite.
Level II: Certified Deconstruction Specialist (CDS™)
Our advanced certification for crew leads, project managers, and skilled tradespeople ready to move into planning and leadership roles. Building on completion of the CDT™, participants complete 200+ documented field hours while mastering pre-deconstruction assessments, salvage estimation modeling, crew supervision, building systems analysis, waste diversion planning, client communication, and circular economy strategy.Certification requires submission of a comprehensive project plan and diversion report portfolio, culminating in a full deconstruction strategy that includes diversion percentage projections, revenue recovery modeling, and a carbon impact narrative, directly aligned with Birch Group’s circular business model.
PRE-REQUESITE GEN ED Contractor Edition
Level III: Building Materials Specialist (BMS™)
Designed for material yard managers, reuse professionals, and estimators specializing in valuation and lifecycle expertise. This advanced certification focuses on salvage valuation, lumber grading, fixture recovery standards, reclaimed material resale strategy, inventory systems, adaptive reuse identification, and sustainable material substitutions. Participants develop a portfolio of reclaimed material case studies, complete market analysis, and map circular supply chains.PRE-REQUESITE GEN ED Contractor Edition
A distinctive component of the program includes direct access to Birch Group’s live salvage stream and material resale network, providing real-time, market-based training within a true circular economy model.
Access tools, templates, and knowledge you need to
succeed in deconstruction + circular construction.
Resource Library
The Deconstruction Academy Resource Library provides essential tools, templates, and educational materials to support our courses, certifications, and the broader practice of deconstruction.
Whether you are a student, contractor, or industry partner, these resources are designed to strengthen your knowledge, improve jobsite performance, and advance circular construction practices. The Resource Library is available to Particpants of the Deconstruction Academy.
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Your green career starts here.
Programs + Courses
Deconstruction Academy offers hands-on training, certifications, and workforce development programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in deconstruction, material recovery, and sustainable construction.
From foundational courses to advanced certifications, our programs combine real-world jobsite experience with industry-driven curriculum to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to succeed in the growing circular construction economy.
