Effective date: October 15, 2026

RenoSwap is for leftover renovation and construction materials, fixtures, and tools. Most leftovers are fine to list, like lumber, tile, drywall, doors, cabinets, fixtures, paint that's still sealed, and tools. But some things are dangerous, illegal, or need special disposal. Don't list the items below. Admins will reject or remove them, and repeat or serious violations can get your account closed.

This list isn't complete. If something is illegal to sell or give away in Texas or under federal law, it's not allowed even if it's not listed here. When in doubt, leave it out, or email RenoSwap101@gmail.com and ask.

Hazardous building materials

• Asbestos. Anything that contains asbestos or is likely to, unless it's been tested and shown to be asbestos-free. Older materials are the main risk, especially from homes built before about 1980: some vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring and their glue, popcorn ceiling material, pipe and duct insulation, some roofing and siding shingles, and vermiculite insulation.
• Lead paint. Painted items from before 1978 (doors, trim, windows, cabinets, and so on) may have lead paint.
  • Don't describe them as "lead-free" or "safe" unless they've been tested.
  • If you list older painted items, say so clearly in the description (for example, "Painted before 1978, may contain lead paint, not tested").
  • Don't list lead paint chips, dust, or scraped debris.
• Used chemically treated wood that needs special disposal, such as used railroad ties or utility poles (creosote-treated), and old CCA-treated ("green") lumber torn out of decks or playsets. New, unused pressure-treated lumber is OK.
• Mold or water-damaged materials: visibly moldy drywall, insulation, carpet, or wood.
• Materials from fire or flood cleanups that may be contaminated.

Chemicals, fuels, and pressurized containers

• Open or partly used containers of solvents, thinners, strippers, degreasers, adhesives with hazard warnings, concrete or masonry acids, pool chemicals, and other hazardous chemicals. Sealed, unopened common products like latex paint, caulk, or grout are OK.
• Pesticides, herbicides, and termite treatments, opened or not.
• Refrigerants (like R-22 or R-410A) in cans or cylinders.
• Fuel and gas: gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and propane or other gas cylinders, even empty ones.
• Unlabeled containers, or anything in a container that isn't its original one.
• Damaged, swollen, or leaking batteries, including lithium tool batteries.
• Mercury-containing items that are broken, such as old thermostats or fluorescent tubes.

Safety risks and recalls

• Recalled products, such as tools, heaters, electrical panels or breakers, and ladders. Check before listing at CPSC.gov/Recalls.
• Damaged or modified electrical items, like cut or frayed cords, burned or melted outlets and breakers, or fixtures with exposed wiring. Working used electrical items are OK if you describe their condition honestly.
• Damaged safety equipment, like cracked hard hats, used or damaged fall-protection harnesses, or broken ladders.
• Gas appliances with known leaks or damage.

Stolen goods and ownership problems

• Stolen items, or anything you don't have the right to sell or give away.
• Jobsite materials that aren't yours. If a client or employer paid for the leftovers, get their permission first.
• Items with serial numbers removed or altered.
• Salvaged materials taken without permission from buildings, construction sites, or demolition sites.

Always-prohibited items

• Weapons, ammunition, explosives, and fireworks
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia; alcohol; tobacco and vape products; prescription medicines
• Counterfeit or knock-off branded goods
• Live animals
• Anything else that's illegal to sell, give away, or own

Not allowed as listings

• Services instead of materials: labor, installation, hauling, demolition, contractor ads, or job postings. Tools and equipment are fine to list.
• Spam, fake, or misleading listings, including stock photos, bait-and-switch prices, duplicate posts, or "contact me off-site for a better deal."
• Ads for another business or website, or listings that just collect contact information.
• Trash or junk dumping: things no one could reasonably reuse. (It's fine to mark reusable items "Dumpster-bound" to get them rescued.)
• Listings that include someone else's personal information, or offensive, hateful, or adult content.
• Anything that breaks our Terms of Service or the law.

Before you meet up, read our safety tips.