Our Services

Oil Tank Removal Victoria Duncan & Nanaimo

Safe, certified oil tank removal throughout Vancouver Island. We handle everything from permits to final certification, including soil testing and remediation if needed.

Get a Free Quote

Why Choose Pacific Group for Oil Tank Removal

Over 30 years of Vancouver Island experience with comprehensive oil tank removal, testing, and remediation services.

What's Included

Complete oil tank removal with all permits and inspections

Professional soil testing and laboratory analysis

Contaminated soil remediation if needed

Full documentation for real estate, mortgage, and insurance

Oil pumping and environmentally responsible disposal

Expertise with tanks beneath buildings and tight spaces

Average residential removal costs $1,500 to $5,000

Serving Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, and all Vancouver Island

Backyard oil tank excavation and removal

Oil Tank Removal

Comprehensive oil tank removal tailored to your project needs.

Underground Oil Tank Removal

Safe excavation and removal of buried residential and commercial oil tanks. We handle tanks in all locations including beneath buildings, in tight spaces, and areas with limited access. Complete removal includes proper excavation, tank extraction, disposal, and site restoration with minimal property disturbance.

Soil Testing & Analysis

Professional soil sampling and laboratory analysis following tank removal. We collect samples per Ministry of Environment protocols, coordinate with certified laboratories, and provide detailed reporting. Testing determines if contamination exists and the extent of any remediation required.

Soil Remediation & Cleanup

If contamination is found, we excavate and remove contaminated soil, dispose of it at certified remediation facilities, replace with clean fill, and conduct verification testing. We can also report oil spills to the Ministry of Environment and ensure complete compliance with cleanup requirements.

Complete Documentation & Certification

All required permits, final inspection certificates from government-appointed inspectors, soil test results, verification of proper completion. This paperwork satisfies mortgage companies, banks, realtors, insurance companies, and home purchasers.

Above-Ground Tank Removal

Safe removal of interior and exterior above-ground oil tanks and associated equipment. We pump remaining oil, disconnect and remove furnaces and equipment, cut and remove tanks, and dispose of all materials properly while preparing sites for new heating systems.

Furnace & Boiler Removal

Complete removal of old oil furnaces, boilers, and heating equipment when converting to new systems. We disconnect fuel lines, electrical connections, and ductwork, remove and dispose of equipment properly, and prepare your mechanical room for new heating system installation.

Vancouver Island’s Oil Tank Removal Experts

Pacific Group Developments specializes in residential and commercial oil tank removal across Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, and all of Vancouver Island. With over 30 years of experience, we provide safe, thorough tank removal with complete documentation and certification.

Old underground oil tanks pose serious environmental and financial risks. Most buried tanks will eventually leak, and cleanup costs can exceed $100,000. You’re legally responsible even if you didn’t know the tank was there. Oil tanks also create problems when selling, mortgaging, or insuring your home.

Why Oil Tank Removal Matters

Old underground oil tanks pose serious risks to property, finances, and environment:

Financial: Cleanup costs exceeding $100,000, insurance exclusions, property value impacts
Environmental: Soil and groundwater contamination, pollution of waterways, neighboring property damage
Real Estate: Required disclosure, buyer concerns, mortgage and insurance requirements

How Oil Tanks Fail

According to the North American Petroleum Institute, “Underground oil tanks are like ticking time bombs.” Buried tanks rust through from soil moisture in as little as 5-10 years. Internal corrosion occurs when water and chemicals settle at tank bottom, affecting both buried and above-ground tanks. Most Victoria tanks were installed 40+ years ago before the 1957 natural gas conversion, far exceeding expected lifespan.

Oil Tank Removal Costs

Average residential tank removal ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on tank location, accessibility, concrete pad removal, tank contents, contamination levels, and restoration requirements. We provide all required permits and documentation that satisfy insurers, mortgage lenders, and future buyers.

When to Remove Your Oil Tank

Required: Selling your home, converting heating systems, tank age exceeds 10 years, or suspected leaks.

Warning signs: Oil odors, oil in drains, dead vegetation near tank, visible deterioration, water in tank, or sudden increase in oil usage.

Legal & Compliance

You are strictly liable for oil contamination regardless of circumstances. Some oil spills must be reported to the Ministry of Environment, which can order immediate cleanup, dictate methods, bill you for costs, and hold you liable for neighboring property damage.

Additional Services

Equipment Removal: Complete oil heating equipment removal including furnaces, boilers, ducting, fuel lines, and proper decommissioning.

Soil Remediation: If contamination is found, we excavate and remove contaminated soil, dispose at certified facilities, replace with clean fill, conduct verification testing, and provide complete documentation.

Homes at Risk

Many homes built before 1957 natural gas availability had buried oil tanks often left in place during conversion. Properties converted from oil to gas, electricity, or other heating may have abandoned buried tanks creating hidden liability.

Professional Service You Can Trust

With 30+ years of Vancouver Island experience, we handle everything from permits to certification in-house, and provide complete documentation for lenders, insurers, and future buyers. We serve Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Gulf Islands, and all surrounding communities.

Project Gallery

Our Oil Tank Removal Work

Browse photos from our recent oil tank removal projects across Vancouver Island.

Project Types We Handle

Residential underground oil tank removal

Commercial oil tank removal and remediation

Tanks beneath buildings and tight spaces

Above-ground tank removal and disposal

Soil testing and contamination assessment

Crawl space oil tank removal

Our Oil Tank Removal Process

We handle every phase professionally, ensuring compliance with all regulations and providing complete documentation.

Assessment & Permits

Site inspection to locate tank and assess accessibility. Contact BC One Call for utility locates, file required permits, and schedule government inspector. Provide free quote and timeline estimate.

Safe Oil Removal & Excavation

Pump remaining oil from tank and transfer to new tank if needed. Carefully excavate to expose tank while protecting utilities and landscaping. Contain work area to minimize disruption.

Tank Removal & Inspection

Extract tank safely with inspector certification on-site. Transport to approved disposal facility. Collect soil samples for laboratory analysis to determine if contamination exists.

Remediation & Restoration

If contamination is found, excavate and properly dispose of contaminated soil at certified facilities, backfill with clean soil, and conduct verification testing. Restore landscaping and provide complete documentation including inspection certificates and soil test results.

Get Started Today

Need Oil Tank Removal or Soil Testing?

Get a free, no-obligation quote for oil tank removal, soil testing, or remediation services anywhere on Vancouver Island.

Request a Quote

Serving all of Vancouver Island

What Our Customers Say

Hear from customers who have experienced our oil tank removal services.

We consider ourselves fortunate that our Realtor suggested Pacific Group Developments as one of the companies which we should contact to remove our buried heating oil tank. Of the 4 companies which we invited to give an estimate for the removal of the tank, Pacific Group Developments quickly emerged as our preferred choice. The job involved some complexities since part of the tank was encased in a concrete staircase below my house foundation. The Pacific Group Developments staff are problem solvers. They devised a plan to dig below our foundation and staircase , then support the concrete holding up our house. Each stage of the removal process and improvised way to support a heavy concrete set of stairs and our house foundation was fascinating to watch during the process of removing the buried oil tank. They were able to communicate effectively to us throughout the project and after removing the oil tank, the site was restored to its original condition. We appreciate the skills in operating the digging equipment and their concern for the plants in the vicinity of the site. Pacific Group Development’s timely and successful intervention resulted in the sale of our house and property. Thank you !

- Deanne and Garry Girvan

I had 2 old rusty scary oil tanks that needed to be removed from our property quickly and no idea who to call to help us.

As I have no experience in this area I was lucky to have found Pacific Group Developments and spoke with Kelsey who basically walked me through the process of removing these tanks. He asked me all the right questions to find out what my situation was and gave me an accurate and fair price. No surprises.

The tanks were removed in a timely manner and I have only good things to say about Kelsey and his team.

I highly recommend Kelsey and this company.

- Debby Werner

We had a buried, underground oil tank on our property that was mitigated 22 years ago (drained, cut open, inspected and filled with sand). Our home insurance was up for renewal and the company informed us (a week before the renewal) that we had 30 days to remove the tank. If we didn’t remove the tank, the home insurance would not be renewed. We contacted Pacific Group Developments by email and they replied within 15 minutes. The next day, they were at our house in the morning. Impressive! Our oil tank removal turned out to be complicated as the footing for our addition and sundecks that we put on 10 years ago sat on top of the oil tank and it was therefore necessary to lift and support the addition and decks prior to removal. The Pacific Group team were thorough, professional and kept us informed every step of the process. The addition and decks were lifted and supported, the tank was removed and the site was inspected and approved. Job done well! Kelsey was great to work with and I would highly recommend them.

- John Wakelin

Read All Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our oil tank removal services.

Why do buried oil tanks need to be removed?

Buried oil tanks rust through in as little as 5-10 years and will eventually leak. Leaking oil contaminates soil, groundwater, basements, and surrounding properties. You are legally responsible for cleanup costs which can exceed $100,000, and home insurance policies exclude oil contamination damage. Oil tanks also create problems when selling, mortgaging, or insuring your home.

How much does oil tank removal cost in Victoria?

The average cost for removing a 300-gallon residential oil tank ranges from $1,500 to $5,000. Cost factors include tank location (buried vs above-ground), accessibility, presence of concrete pads, tank contents, soil contamination levels, and site restoration requirements. We include all required permits and certification.

Am I liable for oil leaks even if I didn't know the tank was there?

Yes, you are considered strictly liable for leaking oil even if you were not home when the oil escaped, the property is rented to tenants, the oil leaked imperceptibly over time, the tank is buried and you were unaware it was leaking, or the leak occurred during an earthquake. Property owners are legally responsible for all cleanup costs and damages.

What documentation do I receive after oil tank removal?

After oil tank removal, you receive copies of all permits, a final inspection certificate from a government-appointed inspector, soil test results if applicable, verification that work was completed properly, and risk assessment documentation. This paperwork satisfies requirements for mortgage companies, banks, realtors, insurance companies, and prospective home purchasers.

How do oil tanks fail and start leaking?

Oil tanks fail through external corrosion (buried tanks rust through from soil moisture in 5-10 years) and internal corrosion (water and chemicals settle at the tank bottom and corrode from the inside out). Both buried and above-ground tanks are affected by internal corrosion. It's almost impossible to determine corrosion damage or remaining tank life without removal and cutting it open.

Do I need to remove my oil tank when selling my home?

Yes, buried oil tanks commonly become an issue when selling homes. Home inspectors look for buried tanks, and buyers will have inspections done as a subject clause in purchase contracts. Many mortgage lending institutions and insurance companies require verification of oil tank removal with documentation prior to approving mortgages or policies.

What happens if my oil tank has contaminated the soil?

If soil contamination is found during testing, we excavate and remove the contaminated soil, dispose of it at a certified remediation facility, replace it with clean soil, conduct verification testing, and provide complete reporting. Some oil spills must be reported to the Ministry of Environment, which can order immediate cleanup and bill you for all costs.

Can you remove oil tanks from beneath buildings?

Yes, we remove buried oil tanks from beneath buildings and provide structural support if needed to remove tanks or contaminated soils. We handle both difficult access situations and tight concealed quarters as well as open full-access areas.

Related Services

Explore our other services that complement oil tank removal.

Soil Testing & Remediation

Contaminated soil testing, analysis, and remediation services for oil spills and environmental contamination.

Excavation & Site Services

Site clearing, foundations, rock and concrete breaking, underground utilities, and complete site preparation.

Demolition Services

Structural demolition, interior demolition, deconstruction, concrete removal, and complete debris removal for residential and commercial projects.