New Jersey Oil Tank Removal Timeline and Process

How long does it take to remove an oil tank from the ground?

What is the process involved with getting an old tank removed?

oil tank removal timeline
When you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, you need transparency in these answers. At ERC we want you to be fully informed about the process of removing an oil tank in the state of New Jersey and the timeline involved. We even put together this fun animated video to give you a quick overview!
Over time, old underground oil tanks begin to pose a significant threat to the environment and the health of the public, making them a liability to homeowners. These risks are well-known to mortgage lenders and insurance companies in the state of New Jersey and ultimately, if you are buying or selling a home with a buried oil tank it my become necessary to get it removed.  The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has some more information regarding insurance coverage and oil tanks.  Here we’ll explain the process that takes place when you decide to get a buried oil tank removed, as well as the time frame you should expect to complete each part of the project.
how oil tank removal works

NJ Oil Tank Removal at a Flat Rate

First, ERC will provide you with a flat-rate quote that encompasses everything involved in getting your oil tank removal 100% completed – so you don’t have to worry about costs that you didn’t expect or budget for later in the process.  Once you sign the contract and hire ERC, we’ll get to work immediately.

Oil Tank Removal Permit

Most towns require a permit to remove an underground oil tank. The first thing ERC will do is find out what exactly is required by your particular municipality and obtain any necessary permit, while working with the utility companies to get the proper markouts necessary to complete construction. This portion of the process normally takes 5 to 7 business days.
oil tank removal

Removing the Oil Tank

Once ERC attains the permit, we will schedule construction for 1 or 2 days later. When our trained professionals arrive, the first thing they will do is install your new oil tank if you’ve decided to continue using oil with a storage tank in your garage, basement or above-ground outside area. This way your heat or hot water won’t experience any interruptions. This will take 3 to 5 hours.
Next, we’ll use our construction equipment and vehicles to uncover the buried oil tank, taking care to preserve any landscaping in the process as to disrupt your property as little as possible. We’ll salvage any usable oil, transferring it to your new tank. We will then clean the old oil tank before removing it. Once it’s finally out of the ground, an inspector appointed by your town will visually inspect the tank for holes and determine if a leak has occurred, in which case further action may be required. Once he or she is finished, ERC will restore your property with clean soil and make sure your home is left looking better than it was when we arrived. All together, you can expect the oil tank removal construction to take 3 to 4 hours.

Oil Tank Removal Completed in 7 to 10 Business Days

To summarize – from the time you contract ERC Environment to the time the work on your property is 100% complete is around 7 to 10 business days.

Final Permit Approvals

Last, we’ll submit a report to your town regarding all necessary information on your oil tank removal project. The state of New Jersey allows 20 business days to approve the permit, but we find most towns will do so in one week or less.
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