Frequently Asked Questions
The tank industry is a one that can often raise many questions in the mind of the consumer. These are some of them:
- How long does it take to test my tank?
- When will i receive my results?
- Why do I have to wait so long for my lab results?
- How much damage will occur on my property as a result of your test?
- Do you offer tank insurance?
- Will your tests damage my tank?
- How much oil do I need in my tank for a test?
- Why has the ground been spray painted at my property? Why are there flags marking the ground?
- Why can't my job be scheduled immediately?
- Why does the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) need to get involved?
- Will my property look the same when you are done?
- What payment types do you accept?
- How much does it cost to start my job?
- Do you offer payment plans?
Testing
How long does it take to test my tank?
Our tank tests require a soil boring for validity. By law, no digging can be performed in the state of New Jersey without notifying the New Jersey One Call Center for appropiate utility markouts. Scheduling occurs once the utility markouts are prepared (5 days) and testing is normally completed in a few hours.
When will i receive my results?
Preferred Tank Services will provided you with a test report and recommendations once the lab analyticals(if a sample is submitted) and payment are received. This comprehensive report will be provided via the United States Postal Service but can be sent to the customer electronically via email or facsimile.
Why do I have to wait so long for my lab results?
Initial lab results are received within 3-5 business days. This is our laboratory's standard turn around time. Samples may be rushed for analysis for an additional charge. Should you want to rush your samples please inform the technicians in the field, as well as our office.
Final laboratory analyses take approximately 6-8 weeks.
How much damage will occur on my property as a result of your test?
Your property will receive little to no damage as a result of our testing. Borings are taken in proximity of the tank and are patched upon completion of the respective test
Do you offer tank insurance?
While we are authorized to do work for most tank insurance companies, we do not provide tank insurance. Contact your fuel dealer for tank insurance coverage.
Will your tests damage my tank?
Our test will not cause any damage to your tank.
How much oil do I need in my tank for a test?
Ideally your tank should be 20%-80% full for the most accurate results, but we can test any tank regardless of the level of oil in the tank.
Why has the ground been spray painted at my property? Why are there flags marking the ground?
What you see is a "markout" of all the underground utilities at your property. We are required by law to call NJ One Call before we
begin any work at your property. NJ One Call then notifies your local utility companies of our pending work at your site and they in
turn markout their underground lines. We have to do this not only because it is law, but also for your safety and the safety of our technicians
The paint is only temporary and should wash off with the rain. The flags will remain on your property until project completion. It is not only illegal, but potentially very dangerous to remove flags prior to our arrival. Please do not touch the flags, as they are indicators of where various utility lines are located.
Construction
Why can't my job be scheduled immediately?
There are three factors that go into scheduling the removal and/or installation of a storage tank.
- The first factor is applying for a local permit. We can handle the permitting process for you, but unfortunately we have no control over how long a particular municipality may take to issue a permit. Each town is legally allowed 22 days to issue a permit. Some municipalities offer same day issuance, however larger municipalities do not and may take longer to issue permits.
- Once we have permits in hand, we can address the second factor, which involves coordinating our schedules with those of the local inspectors. All construction work we do is required to be inspected. If the inspector is not available, we cannot perform the work that day and must reschedule.
- The third factor is the acquisition of "markouts." See above for further information regarding "markouts."
Why does the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) need to get involved?
By law, any confirmed release of product must be reported to the proper officials.
Subchapter 7 7:14B-7.3 Confirmed Discharges (a) Any person, including, but not limited to, the owner of operator of an underground storage tank system or individual certified pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:14B-13 hired to install, remove, test or perform a subsurface evaluation on an underground storage tank system, shall, upon confirming a discharge, immediately report the discharge to the appropriate local health agency in accordance with local requirements, and to the Department's Environmental Action Hotline 877-927-6337.
Will my property look the same when you are done?
We do our best to limit the area that is affected. Our standard proposal covers backfilling the former/current excavation to surface grade. We ask you to understand that any site excavation, along with the ingress and egress of heavy equipment will cause damage to existing lawns, shrubs, plants, sidewalks and driveways. We can provide a separate proposal for site restoration, however we recommend that our customers to contract a landscaper in order to restore your shrubbery, and a paving company to restore your driveway, when necessary.
Financing
What payment types do you accept?
We accept Cash, Checks (both personal and business), Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Credit Cards.
How much does it cost to start my job?
Preferred Tank Services requires a 40% retainer to commence any project. That retainer is based by the base price and is not inclusive undetermined costs such fuel/sediment disposal
Testing is to be paid C.O.D. in an effort to provide test results at the earliest possible time.
Do you offer payment plans?
We do offer payment plans. Please contact Faith Bugg in our Accounting Department at fbugg@preferredtank.com or by calling 973-470-4044, for more information on payment plans.
