Specialties
Dark Horse Deconstruction specializes in full-service deconstruction and traditional demolition, helping property owners, developers, and homeowners maximize value while minimizing waste.
Our primary focus is deconstruction—the careful dismantling of structures to salvage materials for reuse and donation. Unlike standard demolition, which sends everything to the landfill, our process can generate significant tax deductions by donating materials to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. We work with third-party certified appraisers to document fair market value, helping offset a substantial portion of project costs.
We also provide professional demolition services when speed or scope requires it, while still recovering materials wherever possible to reduce waste and add value.
From walkthrough and planning to site clearing and final reporting, our process is seamless and transparent. We handle coordination with appraisers and nonprofit partners so you receive a clean site, strong documentation, and a clear financial advantage.
With hundreds of projects across residential, commercial, and industrial sites, we deliver safe, on-time, and on-budget results—often at a lower net cost than demolition alone.
Better for your wallet. Better for our planet.
Get your free walkthrough and estimate today.
History
Established in 2010.
Founded in 2010 as RecyClean, Inc., our company was built on the belief that there’s a smarter, more responsible way to take buildings apart. What began as a mission to reduce construction waste has grown into one of the Midwest’s most experienced deconstruction teams.
We’ve completed over 600 projects across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors—helping clients generate millions in tax savings through material donations, while diverting millions of tons of waste from landfills and preventing millions of metric tons of CO2e emissions.
In 2025, we rebranded as Dark Horse Deconstruction to reflect our evolution into a results-driven company delivering both financial and environmental advantages.
Meet the Business Owner: Michael G.
Mike brings over 30 years of experience in construction and more than 20 years in demolition and deconstruction. After seeing the massive volume of materials going to landfills, he recognized a better way—leading to the founding of RecyClean, Inc. in 2010, built on his vision to “think past the dumpster.”
He later developed Dandelion, one of the first recycling-focused tracking apps, helping modernize material recovery. In 2024, he was recognized as a “Notable Leader in Sustainability” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
In 2025, Mike partnered with Dark Horse Deconstruction to expand the company’s reach, bringing added expertise in development and construction. He continues to drive innovation in deconstruction, delivering smarter, more sustainable, and financially beneficial solutions.