Oil tank removal job in progress
40+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE | 20,000+ SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

Trusted Oil Tank Removal in North Jersey Since 1981

Your 2025 ultimate guide to heating oil tank locating, testing, abandonment and removal in northern New Jersey. Call or click today for prompt service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
image of oil tank being removed by Steve Rich Environmental Contractors
Safe, fast oil tank removal
with no surprises.

Protect your property and the environment. Expert NJ oil tank removal services. 45 years experience.

Owner Steve Rich speaking to a customer

Clear contracts. No hidden fees. Peace of mind for all.

Total clarity, guaranteed. We document every detail, on record and in writing — so you’re protected from Day1.

Boy and puppy playing in mud

Worried about soil contamination?

From leaks to the new dirty dirt law, we test, remediate, and certify — fast. Includes NJDEP paperwork, and grant assistance when available.

For over four decades, Steve Rich Environmental Contractors have been safeguarding New Jersey properties through expert oil tank removal and abandonment services. With more than 20,000 satisfied customers, we understand that your home isn’t just a structure — it’s where your family creates memories and where your investment grows.

When Is It Time to Address Your Underground Oil Tank?

Several situations indicate it’s time to address your underground storage tank:

  • Converting to natural gas for your home heating needs
  • Installing an above-ground storage tank for improved safety and monitoring
  • Preparing to sell your home (We strongly recommend removing underground tanks before listing — and can work with your attorney for pay-at-closing arrangements)
  • Owning a pre-1980 tank constructed of bare steel, which is particularly vulnerable to corrosion and leaks
image of a completed oill tank removal in Bergen County, NJ with front lawn restored
A completed oil tank removal project with restored landscaping demonstrates our, thoughtful, professional aftercare for a clean, customer-ready property.

Benefits of Proactive Removal

By removing your tank, having it properly inspected, and testing the surrounding soil, you:

  • Eliminate potential environmental hazards
  • Remove future liability concerns
  • Satisfy even the most stringent home inspections
  • Give future buyers complete peace of mind
  • Protect your property value
  • Avoid costly emergency situations

SELLING YOUR HOME?

We can work with your attorney for pay-at-closing arrangements so you can address this critical issue without upfront costs.
The Steve Rich Difference
Steve Rich Environmental trust symbols
Your Property, Your Priorities : Our process begins with you. While every tank removal follows similar technical steps, your specific property, landscaping, and concerns make each project unique. That’s why we insist on a thorough site visit before quoting any job.
Preserving What Matters To You : We understand the attachment you have to your property’s features. When homeowners tell us, “My husband spent countless weekends building that retaining wall” or “Those flower beds represent family time between sports practices and scout meetings,” we listen carefully.
Consultation First, Always! : Unlike contractors who treat every job the same, Steve Rich Environmental’s specialists evaluate how to preserve your landscaping investments while completing the necessary tank work. Our before-and-after results speak volumes about our careful approach.
Our Professional Process
HOW IT BEGINS
Initial Consultation

Your experience begins with our friendly, knowledgeable office team. They’ll guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure you feel informed and comfortable from the start.
During your site visit, our specialists will:

  • Assess your specific property layout
  • Identify potential challenges
  • Note landscape features to preserve
  • Discuss your timeline and concerns
  • Provide options tailored to your needs


Browse our reviews to see how others have appreciated their experience with our dedicated team.

Preparation & Permits

After contracting with us, our team will handle all the necessary paperwork and permissions:

  • Acquire all necessary municipal permits
  • Obtain utility mark-outs (requiring a minimum 4-day waiting period for safety)
  • Coordinate with municipal inspectors
  • Schedule your removal date
Efficient Timing to Meet Your Needs

With cooperation from utility services and municipal offices, we handle all paperwork at no additional cost when electronic submissions are permitted.

For urgent situations, we offer expedited service with only a nominal courier fee.

Yes, we can remove your tank in a single day when circumstances require it, such as emergency situations involving leaking tanks (which qualify for expedited utility mark-outs through the Board of Public Utilities).

REMOVAL DAY
Safety and Precision

Safety comes first. Always. Our professionals are OSHA-certified with minimum 40-hour training plus annual refresher courses. Before any excavation begins, we meticulously verify the location of all underground utilities.

Our standard removal process includes:

  1. Location and exposure: Once the underground storage tank (UST) is precisely located, we use a specialized track excavator to carefully expose it.
  2. Content removal: The tank is professionally opened, and all contents (fuel oil and sludge) are removed using a licensed vacuum truck for transport to a certified disposal facility. If you prefer, contents can be transferred elsewhere at your request.
  3. Thorough cleaning: SREC personnel, fully protected with appropriate safety gear, enter the tank to clean it completely using specialized absorbent materials.
  4. Inspection and removal: The tank is carefully extracted and thoroughly inspected by both our technicians and the municipal inspector for holes, corrosion, or other damage.
  5. Proper backfilling: Following successful inspection of both the tank and excavation area, we fill the space with certified clean fill. Typically, a 550-gallon tank removal results in a roughly graded 6′ x 8′ area, while a 1,000-gallon tank creates approximately a 6′ x 13′ area.


Most standard removals are completed in just 4-5 hours. Some site conditions may extend this timeframe—another reason our comprehensive site assessment is so valuable.

Documentation & Certification

Complete Documentation for Your Peace of Mind

Upon completion, our representative provides you with a comprehensive tank certification booklet containing:

  • Copies of local permits
  • Tank disposal receipt
  • Tank contents manifest
  • Certified clean fill receipt
  • Official certificate of removal
  • Copy of SREC’s New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection tank removal license


This documentation package is essential for property records, future sales, and insurance purposes. We recommend keeping these documents with your important home papers.

Service Options
Underground Tank Removal
image of oil tank removal in front yard of suburban home
Our skilled team expertly performs safe and efficient underground oil tank extraction using advanced techniques and equipment.

Our most common service follows the detailed process outlined above, with careful attention to your specific property conditions.

Key Benefits of Complete Removal

  • Eliminates future liability concerns
  • Allows comprehensive soil testing
  • Preferred by insurance companies and mortgage lenders
  • Provides the most thorough documentation
  • Recommended by NJDEP
What to Expect: Following removal, you’ll typically have a roughly graded area where the tank was located. We offer various restoration options to return your property to its original condition or even improve it.
Tank Abandonment

While the NJDEP and most insurance companies now prefer complete tank removal, certain circumstances may require abandonment instead—particularly when landscape features or structural elements prevent safe access to the tank.

Even in abandonment cases, Steve Rich Environmental Contractors follows a meticulous process:

  1. The tank is properly accessed, cut open, and thoroughly cleaned
  2. Our trained personnel core holes through the tank bottom
  3. Soil samples are extracted and sent to an NJDEP-certified laboratory for analysis
  4. The empty tank is filled with inert material (sand or concrete slurry)
  5. The excavation area is properly filled with certified clean fill
Above-Ground Oil Tank Removal

Our Above-Ground Tank Process:

  1. Pump out: Remove remaining liquid using a vacuum truck or pump
  2. Clean: Thoroughly remove sludge and clean the tank interior
  3. Remove pipes: Disconnect and remove fill and vent pipes
  4. Remove tank: Safely cut and remove the tank
  5. Transport: Properly transport the tank to an approved facility
  6. Complete paperwork: Forward all necessary documentation to township officials
Beyond Basic Removal

With roots dating back to the late 1970s, founder Steve Rich has developed SREC into a full-service environmental contractor that truly understands New Jersey properties and regulations.

Based on your needs and preferences, we can also:

  • Repair excavation areas with topsoil, seed, and hay—or even fresh sod
  • Repave disturbed areas through our specialized concrete and asphalt division (Holes247.com) — from simple patches to complete driveway replacement
  • Coordinate natural gas conversion with local utility providers
  • Install new above-ground tanks when needed
Pricing & Service Levels

The primary factor in determining removal cost is accessibility — how easily our team can reach both the tank and its remaining contents. Other factors include:

  • Tank size and type
  • Tank location relative to structures
  • Content volume requiring disposal
  • Soil conditions
  • Municipal permit requirements
  • Restoration needs
SERVICE LEVEL COMPARISON TABLE
Economy ServiceStandard ServicePremium Service
Best ForProperties scheduled for demolition or where aesthetics aren't a concernMost homeowners seeking balance between cost and property careHomeowners with extensive landscaping or high-value properties
ApproachBasic removal meeting all safety and regulatory requirementsCareful excavation with attention to property featuresPrecision work that preserves almost every inch
TimelineFlexible schedulingStandard schedulingPriority scheduling
RestorationBasic backfill onlyClean fill with rough gradingComplete restoration options available
Special FeatureMost cost-effective optionSave by bundling with neighborhood projectsAs one client called it, our "Doctor Tank" approach
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have an underground oil tank?
Look for signs such as fill pipes or vent pipes on your exterior walls, copper lines entering your basement, or documentation from previous owners. We can also perform a professional tank sweep using specialized equipment to locate buried tanks.
How long does the entire process take?

From initial consultation to final documentation, most projects take 7-14 days, with the actual removal usually completed in a single day (4-5 hours). Expedited service is available for urgent situations.

Will my yard be damaged?

We take extraordinary care to minimize impact on your property. Our site assessment identifies landscape features to preserve, and we offer multiple restoration options. Many customers are surprised by how little disruption occurs.

What happens if contamination is found?

If the tank inspection or soil testing reveals contamination, we’ll immediately inform you of your options. In many cases, minor contamination can be addressed during the same project. We work with your insurance company when applicable for more extensive remediation.

Do I need to be home during the removal?

While not required, we recommend being present for the initial consultation and final documentation presentation. The actual removal day requires only that we have access to the tank area.

Ready for Professional Oil Tank Service?

Contact Steve Rich Environmental Contractors today for your free, no-obligation consultation. Discover why thousands of New Jersey homeowners have trusted us with their environmental safety needs.

Your home deserves the best care — and so do you.

Oil Tank Removal Visitor Form

Optional contact form (all fields required).

Location Sidebar Form
4.7
Based on 108 reviews
powered by Google