in ground oil tank removal (Hudson: real estate, city hall, insurance)

[nycamberlady]

I was asked yesterday, who I used to dig up my 80 yr old oil tank from my side yard. I was doing it for purposes of reselling my home and I'm very very happy I did. .....I did it 2 years ago.my house has been on the market since the beginning of July and since that time I have been asked numerous times about this subject matter so I thought I would post it here

I read that many people will require you to do a tank test. ..sometimes the home inspector will encourage them to require you to prove that your tank is good.This is a determination if the soil around your tank has contamination. If your house Fails that tank test it gets sent to the EPA and you are forced into this mediation project perhaps before you're ready. Or right in the middle of selling a house and that's the end of everything for many people


several Real estate agentS told me it wasn't necessary to dig up my oil tank and put one inside the house.well I found out they were wrong. ..sometimes mortgages are hard to obtain with an in-ground tank,and many home insurance companies will not insure a house with an in ground oil tank. So I was convinced,And I used Hudson Valley enviromental, they came out for an estimate ..and I was very negative about having it done while there was still snow on the ground, but they assured me it would be ok and it was. Several vehicles showed up it was a very major project...
it was so cold that day, these guys never complained, they work steadily and got it done. I was shocked actually when I saw how much work it was, because how many times when you own a house do tradesmen take advantage of you and charge you $1000 for doing work that takes them no time at all.?
I was Filled with trepidation as this project began that morning.but they made it perfectly smooth for me. They got the permit from the city they came when they said they would they did what they said they would and then closed the permit at the blog department in City Hall so that its not outstanding. When the tank was out and sitting on the ground the inspector from the fire department came to view it. This was the moment of the truth because I was terrified that I had an oil leak and I did not. I was one of the lucky ones. And then they fill the hole with landfill,. In the spring it was necessary for me to put better top soil on in order to grow something resembling grass! But the whole project from start to finish with this company was the way it should be in a perfect world.
the cost was around $2000 I think the permits might have an extra but I'm not sure...if remediation is necessary they are licensed to do that also. And it depends on the extent of the spread how much that will cost but it's taken out of your hands because the EPA actually requires you to do it

the ironic thing is that I was worried that my oil tank would be leaking because it was so old. In truth many people have told me that the reason my oil tank was NOT leaking yet although I suspect it was on its last legs, it's because my oil tank WAS that old. Had I replaced it with a new one in 1988 I would have gotten a tank that was inferior to the quality that was available 80 or 90 years ago whenever my tank was originally put in so when they say they don't make things like they used to, they are also referring to oil tanks.

[ANM1982]

Thanks for sharing! I need three tanks (above ground) removed, and I'll call them for a bid.

[nycamberlady]

wow. at least they are up and visible, the stress of not knowing what was under ground was awful. Yes, I just recommended them to my sister, who has one behind a cement wall in her basement. My experience was top notch. Good luck.