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.
California, PA · Washington County
Whether meth was made in the house or smoked heavily indoors, residue can linger. In California, call (877) 812-4220 for sampling, cleanup of contaminated areas and a clear plan for the next step.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Meth lab cleanup is the testing, removal and cleaning of a property where methamphetamine was made or heavily used. Residue can sit in walls, floors, soft materials and vents, even when nothing looks wrong.
If you are a landlord, buyer or family member in California who learned a property in Washington County was used to make or heavily use meth, call California Biohazard Cleanup Help. The team explains each step and does not start until law enforcement releases the site.
With roughly 51% of California households renting, many cleanup calls come from property managers who found signs of drug activity at move-out. Homes in California were built in different eras, and about 76% date from before 1980. Testing, not the age of the house, shows what needs to be done.
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.
Walls, floors and fixtures are cleaned. Vents, ducts and filters are cleaned or replaced as needed.
A last round of testing checks the result against the standard that applies, and the owner gets a report.
Drug lab & meth lab cleanup in California, PA typically costs $1,500 to $120,000, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Records and reports for a lender, buyer or insurer can add time, so ask what documentation the team can provide.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drug remediation projects | $5,000 - $25,000+ |
| Typical average | $15,000 - $20,000 |
| Moderate contamination | $10,000 - $25,000 |
| Drug lab cleanup | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
These ranges come from published cost guides (PushLeads, Drug biohazard cleanup cost guide, BioCleaners Directory, Biohazard cleanup company pricing guide) and are not a quote for California. Price drivers include whether it was smoking or production, size of the home, air system contamination, testing before and after. For a real number, call (877) 812-4220.
It is the testing, removal and cleaning of a property where methamphetamine was made or heavily used. A professional team samples surfaces, removes materials that cannot be cleaned, cleans the rest and tests again. The goal is to show that the property is fit for use. It is not a job for household cleaners.
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.
Often not. In many cases the person who calls does not need to be on site. The team may need access, keys and a point of contact. Ask how that can be arranged, especially if you are out of town or the property is vacant.
If anyone is in danger or ill, call 911 or Poison Control. For the property, contact the local health department and ask what rules apply. Then talk with a cleanup team about testing and a plan. A property owner may also want advice from an attorney.
Reported effects include headaches, nausea, coughing, throat and eye irritation and skin problems. Children and pets are closest to floors and furniture. Anyone who feels ill should see a doctor or call Poison Control and mention the property.
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.
Describe what you know about the property, and the team will explain how testing works.
Call (877) 812-4220