How It Works

How Tradeyard Works

A trust infrastructure for the reclaimed materials trade — built for contractors who can't afford surprises on a job site.

The problem

The reclaimed materials market runs on vague Craigslist posts and handshake deals.

If you've sourced reclaimed lumber from a demolition company, you know what it feels like to show up and find the "Grade A beams" are punky, checking, and half the listed count. There's no accountability because there's no trust layer.

Tradeyard adds that trust layer: a published grading standard (TGS-1), a seller reputation system with verifiable transaction history, and a dispute record that makes misrepresentation visible and costly. It doesn't add bureaucracy — it adds accountability that was already supposed to exist.

The timing is structural, not incidental. Timber prices are volatile post-2022. New York Local Law 97 and California SB 905 are creating genuine demand for embodied carbon documentation. Insurance carriers are beginning to recognize reclaimed structural lumber in underwriting. The market is ready for infrastructure.

Tradeyard Grading Standard (TGS-1)

Three grades. No ambiguity.

Every listing on Tradeyard carries one of three condition grades under the TGS-1 standard. Sellers self-assess against published criteria. Reputation scores adjust based on buyer-verified accuracy. Independent inspector certification is available for Grade A listings seeking warranty backing.

A

G-A: Structural

Specifiable in drawings · Structural integrity verified — safe for load-bearing applications

Structural integrity verified by certified salvage inspector. No rot, no section loss, no compromised welds or bearing-point checks. A-grade material can be specified in drawings and submitted to permit offices. Optional 50-year load warranty available through Tradeyard's inspector network.

B

G-B: Standard Reclaimed

25-year warranty optional · Visible wear acceptable — suitable for non-primary structural use

Material shows visible wear: nail holes, minor surface checks, patina oxidation, or limited staining. Structurally acceptable for secondary uses — non-primary joists, sheathing, infill, interior millwork, furniture. Not for primary structural specification without independent review. Optional 25-year warranty for B-grade wood species with documented Janka rating.

C

G-C: Salvage Only

Sold as-is, no warranty · Salvage only — decorative, fill, or fabrication use

Material is not suitable for structural use. May have rot, significant section loss, major spalling, heavy rust penetration, or compromised welds. Appropriate for fill, garden use, decorative applications, rubble drainage, or secondary fabrication where strength is not a factor. Sold as-is with no warranty. Buyer assumes all responsibility for end use.

Inspector network: Tradeyard maintains a network of licensed structural inspectors in active markets. Grade A certification costs $150–400 depending on material type and volume. Certification is transferable to the buyer and accepted by major carriers including Travelers, FM Global, and regional construction insurers.

Reputation

Seller reputation is earned transaction by transaction.

Every seller starts at a rep score of 50 out of 100. The score moves based on verified buyer actions — not self-reported ratings. The mechanism is designed to make accurate grading economically rational for sellers.

Buyer confirms material matched the listed grade (+3 points)
Accurate quantity on pickup (+1 point)
Buyer confirms faster-than-listed availability (+1 point)
Buyer disputes grade, investigation confirms misrepresentation (−10 points)
Disputed grade, investigation inconclusive (−2 points)
No-shows or unilateral transaction cancellation (−5 points)

Scores below 40 result in automatic listing suspension pending Tradeyard review. Sellers above 90 receive a "Verified Supplier" badge visible on all listings — and are prioritized in search results. Above 95, sellers unlock negotiated fee rates and early access to bulk-lot buyer programs.

Fees

Simple, transparent, transaction-only fees.

Listing on Tradeyard is always free. We charge only when a transaction confirms — meaning both parties acknowledge the handoff. No subscription, no listing fee, no per-photo charge.

Under $5,0005%$800 sale → $40 fee

$5,000 and above10%$18,000 sale → $1,800 fee

The fee is invoiced to the seller after transaction confirmation. Buyers never pay a platform fee. The cost is built into the seller's margin, same as any marketplace — aligned incentives mean no friction at the point of sale.

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