Doc’s Architectural Salvage & Reclamation Services

Is this my favorite new-​to-​me place in Indy? You betcha. But I’m also the kind of person who loves the activity of shopping, possibly as much as actually purchasing items. And that’s exactly what you’ll have to do here-​shop, shop, shop. This is the type of place where you have to take your time and do some searching, but you’ll be rewarded with one of a kind gems if you do. Be mindful that not everything may be priced, but take out your camera phone, snap a picture, and show it to the friendly people at the front who will be ready with not only a price, but also a story about where it came from. And the prices are very reasonable, considering your paying for quality and history. You might get a little dusty, but you’ll definitely walk out with ideas about how to fit an antique church door from irvington into your home.

I’m stumped. I visited Doc’s (the one in Indianapolis) this past weekend and LOVED it. I’m an old-​house junkie, having grown up in a hundred year old gem that I’m restoring now, and I also restore old houses, so I’ve seen my fair share of architectural salvage businesses. I don’t understand the negative reviews I’m reading here. This is long — sorry.
Doc’s is full of thousands (yes, thousands) of doors and windows. They range from bland to outrageously beautiful and there’s something for everyone here, from 10ft tall pocket doors, to church entryways, to farmhouse screen doors, to divided light French doors… it’s all here.
Organized, NO, which is maddening. Clearly marked sizes would help, as would pricing. But is it here? Yep; probably, if you have the patience and determination to hunt it down and stake your claim on it. Along with the doors and windows, you’ll find locks and knobs and handles and hardware of all kinds.
The same with their stained glass; some is simple and common (and priced accordingly) and some is huge, unique and over the top. Prices vary wildly, from $ 75 to over $ 10,000. I make stained glass windows and found the prices decent. I couldn’t MAKE some of the windows for the prices Doc’s has marked! The only stuff I’d call ‘overpriced’ are the collectible items, like the one-​of-​a-​kind arched window from a beloved Indiana building that was demolished or church windows that you pay a premium for, because there’s a complete set.
The place is definitely overwhelming. If you’re only going to look around, you’ll have freedom to wander. It can be dirty and gritty, so wear clothes that don’t need dry cleaning. If you have a specific list (like a 34″ x 83 ½″ half-​screen exterior door or a 14″ x 20″ fixed window for a closet), stop at the front desk and ASK someone to help you. Same with iron fencing, light fixtures, corbels, back bars, pedestal sinks, artwork, limestone steps, church pews…
Downside –They’re closed Sundays, the traditional day for antiquing. The place is by no means accessible for walkers or wheelchairs. There are stairs to upper loft spaces that aren’t for the faint of heart.
Upside — They do custom work: sanding, refinishing, repurposing. Staff was nothing but nice. The three men I met were all bending over backward to be helpful with measuring, pricing, carrying, and (only on Saturdays) offering customers some of the best baked goods around. They’re easily distracted, though, by other customers tugging at their sleeves and asking ‘just one question’.
As for prices, I’m used to Chicago prices and these aren’t Chicago prices, thank goodness. Still don’t like the price? Make an offer. And, PAY CASH, which saves businesses the credit card processing charges.

Great place to go swimming in salvage for a couple hours. The staff is willing to help you find exactly what you’re looking for (you might have to do some digging). If you’re looking for that unique door, chandelier, or big ticket item, this is the place. BUT be willing to pay steep prices.
It’s at least worth a walk-​through even if you don’t spend a dime.

I’m no antique wiz kid, but I do know a little bit… enough to know that Doc’s is wayyyyyy more expensive then necessary.
While we had a great time looking around (I mean, come on, the guy has goodies from all major tear downs in Indy) I literally saw just an average door for $ 200! What the what??? Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’re in need of door handles, cool knobs, or small do-​dads, you can find some pretttttty sweet little gidgets here, but prepare yourself for the steep price tag. There’s so much exploring to do, it’s definitely worth the trip, and maybe one day Doc will cut us all a break and ease up on his prices, but for now, you can catch me cruisin the aisles and just browsing.

I wanted to love this place so much — but I just can’t. The inventory is fantastic and you can get lost for days looking around but the prices and the fact that there is no room for negotiating make it hard for me to come back. I feel like it will only break my heart. I also hate having my collar pulled when I think they are just pulling numbers out of thin air. exorbitant numbers.
Inventory: ⁴⁄₅
Service: ²⁄₅

The inventory is impressive, and there’s so much to take in, but the people who work here and own this place really make it hard to want to buy anything. I walked around the entire place twice (which is the size of at least 3 large warehouses) and I couldn’t find anyone to help me. When I finally found someone, they were helping another customer, and I stood patiently and quietly to be helped. I was completely ignored, and he even walked away after helping the other person, despite the fact I was standing right in front of him. I was persistent and finally got some help. No one is friendly and everyone is brusque, like you’re bothering them.
The item I wanted didn’t have a price on it so he had to go check. It took over 20 minutes, and when he finally came back, he told me it was $ 400.00 for two cast iron table legs. I pointed out that the entire cast iron table next to it was only $ 350.00 and at least 3 times as heavy with cast iron. It would have been cheaper for me to buy a whole table and dismantle it for the legs. It didn’t matter. I get the feeling that if they have a buyer in front of them, they will come up with a price regardless of how arbitrary it seems. You would have a better chance finding similar things on ebay, craigslist or other antique shops for a reasonable price. Everything in here is very high priced, and if it isn’t, they’ll make sure it is.

Cool place. haven’t bought anything b/​c prices seem high.

Owner raised the price 8X from the quote his staff gave me a few days earlier on some salvaged fencing. When I told him similar fence new sells for just over what his staff quoted me, he said it didn’t matter because he decided he was going to keep it and use it to place around his pool. Then he tells me to look on Craig’s list. I think I will take his advice and shop elsewhere. At least on Craig’s list they don’t decide to keep the stuff after you show up to buy it.

What a fun place to get lost inside. It seems there’s a little bit of everything in here, and if you’re remodeling a house, it’s a gold mine. But I agree that most of the prices are pretty outrageous.

If only there were enough hours in the day to explore every nook and cranny of this amazing place. The vast selection of everything from whole facades to entire staircases, gigantic moose heads, doors, windows, claw-​tooth bathtubs, giant photos, hardware, cabinets, you name it. If it’s architectural salvage, Doc has it. It’s a blast to walk around and see what he has in store. I highly recommend checking out this place when in town. You can’t miss it, just look for the giant steeples out front.

Great Salvage Yard!