1. Make sure the site is released
Cleanup does not start while police or investigators are still working. The owner can confirm the release with the agency.
Memphis, TN · Shelby County
After police finish with a suspected lab, the owner is left with the cleanup. In Memphis, call (877) 812-4220 for testing, controlled demolition of affected materials and thorough decontamination.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Cleaning a former drug lab is a controlled process. Cleanup technicians use protective equipment, contain the work area and handle contaminated materials as hazardous waste where required.
If you are a buyer, lender or insurer in Memphis or Shelby County asking for proof that a property is safe, talk to Memphis Biohazard Cleanup Help. You can discuss testing and cleanup, and what documentation is typically requested.
Vacant homes make up about 13% of housing in Memphis, and empty buildings can be misused for drug production or heavy use. About 67% of homes in Memphis were built before 1980, and older drywall, carpet and trim can soak up residue that is hard to remove.
A typical drug lab & meth lab cleanup job includes:
Cleanup does not start while police or investigators are still working. The owner can confirm the release with the agency.
Porous materials such as carpet, padding and drywall that hold residue are cut out, bagged and hauled away.
Cleanup technicians work room by room, and then treat air and odor.
A last round of testing checks the result against the standard that applies, and the owner gets a report.
Most drug lab & meth lab cleanup jobs in Memphis, TN cost between $1,500 and $120,000, based on published cost guides.
The extent of contamination changes the plan. A home where meth was made may need more removal than one where it was smoked, and testing shows the difference.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drug lab cleanup | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
| Typical average | $15,000 - $20,000 |
| Drug remediation projects | $5,000 - $25,000+ |
| Light use contamination | $5,000 - $10,000 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: PushLeads, Drug biohazard cleanup cost guide, BioCleaners Directory, Biohazard cleanup company pricing guide. Price drivers include whether it was smoking or production, size of the home, air system contamination, testing before and after. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
Only after law enforcement releases the property. Investigators handle evidence and any dangerous chemicals first. Once the site is released, you can book testing and cleanup as the owner. Ask the agency when the release happens.
It often takes several days to more than a week, plus time for lab results. Testing happens before and after the work. If an area does not pass, it is cleaned and tested again. A local team can give a realistic schedule once it has seen the property.
Rules for drug lab cleanup vary by state, county and city. The local health department or the property owner's attorney can confirm what testing and clearance apply where you live. A cleanup team can explain its own process and what records you get.
Some hard items can be cleaned. Porous items such as upholstery, mattresses, curtains and carpets often cannot, because residue soaks into them. The team can advise on what is likely to be removed and what can be tested.
Contaminated materials are sealed, labeled and hauled away. Some may need to be handled as regulated waste, and rules vary by location. Ask the team how its waste is hauled and disposed of, and ask for records of it at the end of the job.
In many cases, yes. The usual path is testing, removal of contaminated porous materials, thorough cleaning of surfaces and air systems, and retesting. How much work is needed depends on the extent of the contamination, and testing is what shows that.
Ask about discreet arrival in an unmarked vehicle if privacy matters.
Call (877) 812-4220