What Should Be in an Oil Tank Removal Contract in NJ?

When a tank removal quote arrives as a text message with a price, stop. According to the NJDEP, the state’s rules require something better.

What the state requires

The NJDEP’s homeowner FAQ says the Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances rules, N.J.A.C. 7:14B, require certified individuals and firms to use fair and reasonable pricing and business practices, including a written contract that contains:

1. A clear and detailed description of the work to be performed.
2. A list of all materials, equipment, tools and other items expected to be needed.
3. A list of the number and types of personnel expected to be needed.
4. The maximum contract price, which cannot be exceeded without a written amendment.
5. Estimated time frames for completing the work.
6. A list and description of any services in the contract that go beyond what local, state or federal rules require.

Can a contractor raise the price without telling you?

The NJDEP answers no. The maximum price in the contract cannot be exceeded without a written amendment.

How to use the list

Put two or three quotes side by side and mark which of the six items each contains. A quote that is missing the maximum price or a time frame is harder to compare and easier to argue about later. The extras in item six are worth asking about: they are the services that go beyond the minimum.

Other things to ask

• Who is the certified individual who will be on site?
• Is the permit included, and who pulls it?
• What happens to the tank and any oil or sludge in it?
• What happens if a leak is discovered? Cleanup is a separate scope with a separate price, so ask how it would be handled and by whom.
• Will soil samples be taken, and who pays for lab work?

Verify first

Check the firm and individual in the state’s DataMiner. See How to Check a Tank Contractor’s Certification in NJ.

Not yet sure there is a tank?

Do the finding before the hiring. A sweep and, if needed, an exploratory dig tell you what you are actually pricing. Call 732-673-1584.