Re: Oil Tank Removal and Leaking Tank Remediation
Date: September 2011
Hello Realtors,
I'm writing you because I have interacted with you surrounding the sale of
my home in Haddon Heights. I want to draw your attention to Curren
Environmental, and the great work that they did to help make my home sale
possible.
Just three weeks before our planned settlement date, an underground oil tank
was discovered on our property. Needless to say, this was a crisis for both
the buyers and myself. I obtained quotes from three qualified environmental
companies to deal with it. Curren was not one of them. Some of the companies
could not guarantee that they would be able to get the tank out before
settlement. There was one company that thought they could, but soon after we
signed a contract with them, it was clear they could not meet that deadline.
They mailed in the permit application, which cost us three business days and
a weekend (instead of giving me the application to hand-deliver right away).
Then, once I received the permit, with 11 days remaining until settlement,
they were not going to be able to schedule the removal in time. This could
have killed our home sale, and certainly led to a high risk of delaying it.
I will not tell you what company that was because this email is not intended
to speak against that company, but rather give honor to the work of Curren.
While waiting for the permit application, Curren Environmental was
recommended to me. Given my time crunch, I called Dave Sulock, the manager
at Curren and a local resident. From the beginning, he understood the
time-sensitive nature of the situation. He took control and resolved the
crisis. He helped me navigate the Boro zoning and construction office, and
was able to schedule the removal within a week, not only getting the permit
right away, but arranging for a seamless change of contractor approval. He
explained to me the findings they expected, and best and worst case
scenarios, and guided me through making the best decision for myself, the
buyers, and the pending deal. He was also clear and up-front on the cost
(which was not going to be cheap, given the size of the tank, the amount of
soil that had to be removed, and the testing that had to be done).
His team removed the tank with four days until settlement and with minimal
effects on the property. They were able to take preliminary measurements on
site to help us know what to do with regard to further remediation, and they
spoke with the buyers to help them understand the issues. We knew that we
would not be able to completely resolve the tank issue prior to settlement
(there was still contaminated soil stored on the property for a few days).
However, because of the hard work of Dave and his team, my home settlement
was completed on time with no hitches.
After settlement, Curren has continued to communicate clearly as to the
progress of the project, has completed all their work in a timely manner,
and has helped me to communicate with the state to get them to act promptly.
I realize that I am unlikely to require environmental services often.
However, I'm sure you routinely encounter these issues, since you facilitate
transactions in Haddon Heights and local towns. When you are faced with an
environmental issue, I suggest you recommend Curren Environmental to your
clients. As in my case, it may even save the transaction.
Dan