What to do with existing stuff

There are many places. Services for the homeless will pick up your furniture for free (it must be decent, not junk). The fixtures can often be sold. Take pix and try Craig's List or even ebay (I prefer Craig's).

Call Salvation Army. They take certain things and will give you receipts to back it up when you take the deduction at the end of the year.

what are you getting rid of? i might take it off your hands

Does anyone know of a better place than craigslist or ebay to sell stuff that is relatively new, still has significant value?

Yeah #5, hawk it on the sidewalk.

Selling fixtures on ebay or the sidewalk, that is such a borough thing.

You should try Housing Works Thrift Shops. They're a NYC instition, with stores all over. They'll come and pick anything up. You can find out more at:

http://www.housingworksauctions.com/

If you don't want to donate, you can try some of the restoration shops in NYC; They'll buy then resell. These are the kinds of shops that are looking for really old tubs, fireplaces, stoves, etc. I can're remember the name of the 2 major shops like this in the city...the times ran an article on them about 8 weeks (?) ago. I recall one is in Harlem. Anyone know?

I have heard of places where you can donate(?) used building supplies & the latest "This Old House" in Texas was a 'green' project. I just googled > used building supplies, nyc < and got some interesting sites. Not only can a low income person get something they ordinarily might not afford but you don't have to pay to have it hauled away. Good luck!

Great suggestions. Will check them out. I hate the idea of something that is still functional (tho ugly) taking up space in a junkyard for the next 300 years. Esp if someone else can make use of it.

hmmm

housingworksauctions.com site says

Items we are UNABLE to pick up:

furniture made from pressed wood or formica
all major appliances
(i.e. refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, etc.)
mattresses, futons and box springs
exercise equipment
copiers and typewriters
used baby/children's furniture, strollers, car seats, etc.
old large speakers
old sewing machines
unbound carpeting
medical equipment

Oh well.

Build It Green: http://www.bignyc.org/

Overlook is right: Build It Green is perfect.