1. Keep everyone out
Until the cleanup is done, children, pets and visitors stay out of the affected areas.
Berkeley, CA · Alameda County
After police finish with a suspected lab, the owner is left with the cleanup. In Berkeley, 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.
Meth contamination is residue that settles on surfaces and soaks into porous materials such as drywall, carpet and furniture. Cleaning it takes specialized methods, not household products.
If your Berkeley property needs meth lab cleanup or drug lab decontamination, you can call Berkeley Biohazard Cleanup Help and get help anywhere in Alameda County. Crews wear protective equipment and start with testing so the plan fits your property.
Vacant homes make up about 11% of housing in Berkeley, and empty buildings can be misused for drug production or heavy use. About 81% of homes in Berkeley were built before 1980, and older drywall, carpet and trim can soak up residue that is hard to remove.
Drug Lab & Meth Lab Cleanup in Berkeley usually includes:
Until the cleanup is done, children, pets and visitors stay out of the affected areas.
The work area is sealed, workers put on protective gear, and dust is controlled so residue does not spread.
Contaminated materials are bagged and hauled. Surfaces and air systems are cleaned using specialized methods.
New samples show whether more work is needed. The owner decides next steps with the team.
Expect drug lab & meth lab cleanup in Berkeley, CA to cost roughly $1,500 to $120,000, with the final price set after an on-site assessment.
The size of the property matters most. A single room takes less testing, removal and cleaning than a whole house, a motel or a multi-unit building.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Moderate contamination | $10,000 - $25,000 |
| Drug lab cleanup | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
| Light use contamination | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| Typical average | $15,000 - $20,000 |
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 Berkeley. 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.
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.
Yes. Heavy indoor use can leave residue on walls, floors and furniture. The amount is usually different from a former lab, so testing guides the plan. A team can explain what the results mean for your property.
Owners usually carry the cost of cleaning their own property. For rentals, the lease and local law decide who is responsible, and a landlord, an attorney or a tenant rights group can say. Renters policies often cover a tenant's belongings rather than the building.
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.
No. This page explains how meth lab cleanup works. It is not medical, legal or insurance advice. For symptoms, contact a doctor or Poison Control, and for legal questions, ask an attorney or the local health department.
If anyone feels ill, call 911 or Poison Control first, then call for cleanup.
Call (877) 812-4220