The construction industry is a major contributor to resource consumption and waste generation in the EU, making the transition to circular construction essential. Reuse of building products is an important circular strategy, but large-scale implementation is hindered by limited market maturity and uncertainty regarding product availability. This study aims to investigate the gap between reported and estimated quantities of reusable building products in demolition projects, using data from 57 demolition permits for preschools and multifamily buildings in Greater Gothenburg. A bottom-up method was applied to estimate quantities of six product types: windows, radiators, façade, roofing, framework, and gypsum boards. Independent desktop estimations were compared with reported data (pre-demolition audits, waste plans, and waste quantities) to assess the potential supply of reusable products. Results reveal significant inconsistencies: desktop estimates often exceeded reported quantities – e.g., wooden windows in preschools were nearly triple the reported amount. Conversely, reported waste quantities for timber frameworks in multifamily buildings were nearly seven times higher than desktop estimates. These discrepancies highlight systemic deficiencies in demolition permit documentation, which risk distorting reuse potential. To address this, the study introduces scalable key performance indicators (KPIs) that estimate product quantities per building footprint area, offering a practical tool for contractors and municipalities to estimate product availability and validate pre-demolition audits. The study underscores the need for standardised and digitalised product-level reporting in demolition permits. By advancing a methodological approach for quantifying reusable products, this research supports the development of a large-scale reuse market and informs policy strategies for circular construction

In the context of the circular economy, there is an urgent need for transformation into circular material flows by avoiding waste, reducing extraction of virgin raw materials, and extending product life cycles. Within the construction and real estate industry, the reuse of building materials stands out as a critical strategy for value retention. The objective of this paper is to localise the forefront of the practical implementation of reused materials within the Swedish construction and real estate industry. To achieve this, the current state of reuse practices through the perspective of property companies as clients in decision-making positions was conducted through semi-structured interviews to identify key barriers and enablers associated with reuse. The three most significant barriers that emerged were a lack of measurable economic incentives, the absence of a professional reuse market, and obsolete project management. Conversely, the three most significant enablers were new and improved project management methods, enhancing competence and learning within and beyond organisations, and introduce reuse at an early stage. The results emphasise the need for project management to develop and adopt circular economy principles. This is further understood due to responders highlighting the industry’s linear approach as a major obstacle to circularity together with uncertainties related to product performance, responsibilities and economics characterising reuse efforts. However, an industry in transition is witnessed, e.g. by the emergence of new roles which suggests a continued need for focused research in organisational matters.