The City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation is offering hands-on, professional deconstruction contractor training for existing contractors. Each cohort is five days long and will run a full workday (approximately 7:30 AM - 4 PM) each day. Cohort dates are:

• Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 24

• Monday, October 27 - Friday, October 31

Training Details

This is a hands-on, in-the-field training course, intended for tradespeople who will perform deconstruction work on behalf of their clients, in alignment with the City’s deconstruction ordinance. Workdays run approximately 7:30 AM to 4 PM. Participants will help fully deconstruct one of two residential structures, built c. 1903 and c. 1924. Participants will have the opportunity to test deconstruction methods and techniques in the field under the guidance of an active deconstruction contractor and reuse retailer. The trainer is part of Build Reuse’s National Registry of Deconstruction Trainers. The course fee is administered at a discounted rate of $750 per trainee.

The training will cover:

• Equipment, tools, and worksite staging and organization.

• Assessing material conditions and evaluating materials for salvage, recovery, reuse.

• Techniques to remove material in manner that allows for its reuse, including siding, framing, flooring, windows & doors, porch elements, and fixtures.

• Various deconstruction techniques and approaches.

• Material storage, organization, and transport.

• Introduction to business operations, managing crews, and working with clients.

Additionally, OHP staff will host two virtual permitting training modules in November. Dates will be determined and provided to all registrants the week of November 3.

Location: Government Hill neighborhood. The specific location will be provided closer to the training date and emailed directly to registrants.

Tools: PPE will be provided to each participant. Shared tools and equipment will be available for use. We recommend and encourage active contractors to bring their own tools to gain experience using personal tools and equipment for deconstruction projects.

Why get certified?

San Antonio City Council adopted the City's first deconstruction ordinance on September 8, 2022. The ordinance requires small-scale housing stock (eight-plex and smaller) built in 1945 or earlier anywhere in the city limits, or 1960 and earlier in areas designated historic or as a neighborhood conservation district, be fully deconstructed instead of mechanically demolished. Per the ordinance, only Certified Deconstruction Contractors can pull permits for full deconstruction. This training is a prerequisite to certification. If you wish to offer deconstruction services, or wish to be employed by a deconstruction company or organization, this training is for you.

Please watch the video below for a recap of our training course from 2022, and read about our 2024 training here!