Design for disassembly, DfD (Design for Deconstruction), is an essential action to reduce the use of energy and resources and the production of waste in building construction. DfD has many environmental, economical as well as social benefits. It seams obvious to include the aspects of DfD, in both on-site and off-site production. Some countries have observed the importance of DfD and taken action but in many countries this is still a disregarded issue. This paper presents an overview of motives for DfD in building construction. The aim is to encourage clients and all actors in the building process to improve the discussion on DfD. The overview is based on the result of a systematic analysis of related fields such as DfD in product design, energy and resource efficiency in buildings, building deconstruction and salvaging of construction waste.