Since cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2018, most large-scale cultivation has moved to licensed facilities — but many homes damaged by illegal grow operations that ran for years beforehand are still on the market, and unlicensed grows still occur. Testing a former grow-op or drug lab property properly requires more than a general inspection — the equipment, laboratory analysis, and reporting quality behind that testing vary widely between companies.
| What to check | What to ask | ABM Environmental |
|---|---|---|
| What’s tested | Chemical residue, mold/moisture, structural changes? | May test for chemical contamination; looks for mold and moisture damage and structural alterations |
| Who tests | Senior consultant, or a junior technician? | Senior Project Consultant, 18+ years of experience |
| Lab analysis | Where are samples analyzed? | An accredited third-party laboratory |
| Report acceptance | Will your bank or lender accept it for financing? | CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurance companies, and municipalities |
| Insurance | Professional liability (E&O) coverage? | Yes — general liability, professional liability, and WorkSafeBC coverage |
What’s actually tested
A proper former grow-op or meth-lab investigation may test for residual chemical contamination, and looks for mold and moisture damage from the growing conditions and structural alterations — not just a visual walkthrough.
Who is actually doing the testing
Every grow-op and meth-lab investigation at ABM Environmental is performed by a Senior Project Consultant with over 18 years of experience.
Lab analysis
Where samples are taken, analysis is performed by an accredited third-party laboratory.
Whether the report will actually be accepted by your bank or lender
Banks and lenders often require an indoor environmental assessment before financing a property with a former grow-op history. ABM Environmental’s reports have been accepted by CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurance companies, and municipalities.
Insurance coverage
A grow-op testing company should carry professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance — insurers only issue this after a qualification process, so a company that carries it has effectively already been vetted. ABM Environmental carries general liability and professional liability insurance, along with WorkSafeBC coverage. See our full breakdown of ABM Environmental’s insurance coverage.
Red flags to watch for
Two things are worth checking before you hire anyone, because they’re the easiest way to tell a properly qualified company apart from one that isn’t: insurance and specifics.
If a company’s website doesn’t mention insurance at all, that’s worth asking about directly — not every company is willing or able to carry professional liability (errors & omissions) coverage for the work, and a company that qualifies for it usually says so, because it’s a real differentiator.
Be equally cautious of vague qualification language like “trained and certified technicians” with no further detail. That phrase says nothing about which certification, from which organization, or how much experience the specific person coming to your property actually has. Ask directly: what certification does this person hold, and how many years have they been doing this work? A company confident in its qualifications will give you a straight answer — name, credential, and years of experience — not a general reassurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s tested in a former grow-op or meth-lab investigation?
ABM Environmental may test for residual chemical contamination, and looks for mold and moisture damage from growing conditions and structural alterations — beyond what a general visual inspection would catch.
Will a former grow-op clearance report be accepted by my bank or lender?
ABM Environmental’s reports have been accepted by CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurance companies, and municipalities.
How can I tell if a grow-op testing company is properly qualified?
One reliable check is whether the company carries professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance for its assessments — insurers only issue this coverage after their own qualification process.
What insurance should a grow-op testing company have?
At minimum, general liability and professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance, plus WorkSafeBC coverage.
What should I be cautious of when choosing a grow-op testing company?
Two things in particular: whether the company discloses its insurance coverage, and how specific it is about who’s actually doing the work. A company that doesn’t mention insurance on its website, or that only offers vague language like “trained and certified technicians” without naming the certification or the person’s experience, may not have much to say if you ask for specifics. ABM Environmental states its coverage and credentials plainly, and every test is performed by a named Senior Project Consultant with over 18 years of experience.
Call (604) 568-5177 for a free phone consultation, or fill out our online assessment form for a quote or to book.
Written by Brian Mackenzie, Senior Project Consultant at ABM Environmental, with over 18 years of experience in indoor environmental consulting.