Cape Town Woman Made R70,000 Selling Old Home Items Before Demolition
- A Cape Town content creator shared how she listed everything from old doors to a crumbling kitchen on Facebook Marketplace before her renovation began
- She started photographing and measuring items earmarked for demolition about three months before work kicked off
- Her TikTok tip left viewers stunned, with many admitting they had simply thrown away items that could have earned them thousands
- Briefly News spoke to property expert Rajesperi Naidoo about why selling old items before a renovation can be a smart way to make extra money
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Source: TikTok
A Cape Town homeowner turned her renovation prep into a money-making strategy, and the results left the internet speechless.
Tracy, who documents her 1970s family home renovation on TikTok under @home_with_tracy, shared how she listed everything destined for the rubble pile on Facebook Marketplace roughly three months before demolition day. Old doors and windows, security gates, basins, shower doors, taps, awnings, bedroom cupboards, toilet fittings, light switches, door handles and even her tired old kitchen all went up for sale.
Rands in the rubble
Rather than wait for contractors to cart everything away, Tracy photographed and measured each item methodically. The listings attracted steady buyers willing to pay R200, R300 and R500 at a time for goods others considered junk. Those small amounts accumulated fast. By the time the first brick came down, she had pocketed over R70,000.
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The tip is straightforward: what feels worthless inside your own walls can be exactly what someone else is searching for. South Africa's second-hand market has grown significantly in recent years, with platforms such as Facebook Marketplace making it easy for buyers and sellers to connect locally without leaving home.
Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, Rajesperi Naidoo explained why homeowners should not throw everything away:
“Before starting a renovation, it's worth looking at what can be reused or sold. Old doors, cupboards, taps, lights, tiles and even fittings may still be useful to someone else. Taking clear photos, measuring the items and listing them early gives you time to find buyers and can help bring in extra money for the renovation. People should also speak to their contractor before removing anything, especially if an item could be reused or has safety concerns.”
She went on to share:
“People often forget that even leftover building materials can have value. Unused tiles, timber, bricks, paving and good-quality fittings can sometimes be sold instead of thrown away. It's also worth comparing prices from different suppliers and buying only what is needed. Another tip is to keep a record of every renovation expense, because small costs can quickly add up and push a project over budget.”
Watch how Tracy walked through her approach before demolition began:
Mzansi reacts to the renovation tip
The clip on the TikTok page struck a nerve, drawing dozens of responses from people in the middle of their own renos or wishing they had seen it sooner:
@Heydavinaa wrote:
"I wish I knew this earlier 😩😩 basically gave away everything."
@💍Mrs Usher 🤍🤍🤍 shared:
"Thank you!!! I've been telling my husband this because we seem to be giving stuff away instead of getting someone to buy it 😭😭😭"
@Micayla Mitchell asked:
"That's great! I'm assuming demo days went on longer because they had to carefully break out everything? Did that increase your labour cost? If so, by how much would you say?"
@Geraldine Kelly said:
"So glad I came upon this post. About to reno and needed the go-ahead 😁 I'll sell the old. Thank you."
@Howzit reacted:
"Girl! The plug! 👏👏👏"
@Nikheil added:
"If you can't sell some things, companies like Protector Build will probably take the rest for some cash."
For anyone about to pick up a sledgehammer, Tracy's message was simple: look around before you start knocking things down.
Disclaimer: Briefly News does not provide financial advice. The information shared in this article is based on Tracy’s personal experience and is intended for general informational purposes only. Readers should consider their own circumstances and do their own research before making any financial or selling decisions.
More on SA home renovations
- Briefly News recently reported on a South African man who lost his case after spending R416,000 renovating his girlfriend's home, with the court ruling he had no legal ownership rights.
- A young woman impressed Mzansi after sharing a before-and-after shack makeover she completed for her mother, transforming it into a fully furnished home.
- Two South African property flippers completed a 60-day AI-inspired house renovation challenge, sharing the finished flip with followers.
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Source: Briefly News
Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a journalist and editor with seven years of publishing experience, specialising in human-interest features, societal developments, and breaking crime updates for Briefly News. Having worked as a copy editor and content accuracy specialist for international publications like National Today and Entail.ai, Nerissa applies rigorous fact-checking and ethical standards to sensitive news stories, including police updates, community affairs, and public safety reporting. Contact: nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za
Rajesperi Venilla Naidoo (Entrepreneur and Business Owner) Rajesperi Venilla Naidoo is a seasoned entrepreneur with ranging experience in various industries. She's held CEO positions in multiple companies, including Naleli Transport and Sugar and Spice, and is mainly involved in property development in the commercial property industry.
