Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Land & New Construction
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 7 years ago,

User Stats

207
Posts
33
Votes
Joe Pitrolo
  • Investor
  • Morgantown, WV
33
Votes |
207
Posts

Remodeling old Garage Environmental concerns

Joe Pitrolo
  • Investor
  • Morgantown, WV
Posted

We have an older building and looking to add office space or apartments,  1 to 2 bedroom.  Recently we excavated some of an old paint booth and the worker pulled out a hydraulic small tank for a lift that used to be in operation. A small amount of oil did spill and he removed the tank.   This was an auto body shop and paint booth for over 20 years and not used for mechanical work much at all.  I would like to finish it out and add retail or apartment space.   I spoke with an environmental firm about doing some elementary Environmental testing and they gave a  proposal simply in hourly amounts.  Without any definite $ proposal, this scares me in that it could be $500 or $10,000. 

   They recommended we speak with the Brownfield people to see if funding is available for testing and cleanup.  

  When the tank was removed,  we were excavating not to remove any tanks, but because the concrete floor had buckled and we were told we had to level it to be able to continue to use it.     We have since poured a new concrete pad.

 Has anyone had any success converting older garages to office or apartments?

 The back is the paint booth,  I thought about using it as a structure to build a 1 bed apartment and make an exit door on the other side.

The oil in front is from my maintenance person using the bay to park his truck.