Asbestos testing
Pre-renovation surveys, pre-demolition asbestos and hazardous materials surveys, bulk sampling and air clearance. Asbestos fibers are too small to see, so lab testing is the only way to know.
Get asbestos tested →
Environmental testing & inspection · New York State
Know exactly what's in your building before work begins.
Asbestos and hazardous materials surveys before renovation and demolition, plus lead paint, mold, radon, air and water testing for homes and businesses. Licensed inspectors, accredited lab results, and straight answers on what to do next.
- ✓ Licensed & certified inspectors
- ✓ 20+ years of experience
- ✓ Residential & commercial
- ✓ Woman-owned business
Suspect asbestos or lead? Don't disturb it. Call us first.
We'll tell you quickly whether it's a major issue or a minor one, and test several things in one discreet visit.
315-329-4271Renovating or demolishing? New York State and federal rules require asbestos and lead testing first, and demolition also needs a hazardous materials assessment. Skipping it can mean fines, delays and costly cleanup.
Book a pre-renovation surveyWhat we test for
One call covers it all. We can run several tests in a single visit.
Lead-based paint testing
Inspections for homes, rentals and pre-1978 buildings. Lead poisoning is the leading preventable childhood disease in the U.S.
Learn about lead testing →Mold testing
Air and surface sampling to find the source, plus remediation guidance and clearance re-sampling once it's fixed.
Get mold tested →Air quality & VOCs
Indoor air quality and volatile organic compound testing for offices, schools, restaurants and homes.
Test your air →Water quality
Drinking water testing for wells and municipal supplies, including lead in water.
Test your water →Radon testing
Radon testing for homes, rentals and commercial buildings, with test devices analyzed by a NYS ELAP-approved laboratory. Winter is the best time to test.
Book a radon test →Drone thermal imaging
Thermal scans of roofs and walls to find heat loss, missing insulation and ice dam causes. Flown by our FAA-licensed pilot.
See thermal imaging →Phase I & property condition reports
Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, transaction screens and property condition assessments for commercial and multifamily deals. For buyers, lenders, brokers and attorneys.
See due diligence →Not sure what you need?
Tell us about the building and the project. We'll recommend the right tests, and only the ones you need.
Call 315-329-4271Lead testing
Lead paint inspections and testing
Lead paint is common in homes built before 1978, and lead dust is the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning. We test paint, dust and soil so you know exactly where lead is and what needs fixing.
What we test
- Lead-based paint inspections
- Dust wipe sampling (floors and window sills)
- Clearance testing after repairs or renovation
- Soil and drinking water testing for lead
- Pre-renovation checks for contractors
Homes, rentals, schools and commercial buildings across Central and Upstate New York.
Drone thermal imaging
See where your building is losing heat
Our FAA-licensed drone pilot flies a thermal camera over your roof and walls to show where heat is escaping. It is the fastest way to inspect a large or hard-to-reach roof without ladders or scaffolding.
What it finds
- Missing or settled insulation
- Air leaks around roofs, walls, windows and doors
- Warm spots that cause ice dams
- Possible roof moisture to investigate further
Why winter is the time
Thermal scans work best when it is at least 18°F colder outside than inside, ideally on a calm evening. Central New York winters are perfect for it.
You get thermal and regular photos with a short plain-English summary of what we found.
Commercial due diligence and environmental consulting
Environmental due diligence and property condition reports
Buying, refinancing or lending on a property? We prepare the environmental and building condition reports buyers, lenders, brokers and attorneys need to close, with local inspectors who know Central and Upstate New York buildings.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
Prepared to ASTM E1527-21, the standard EPA recognizes for All Appropriate Inquiries (40 CFR Part 312). Reviewed and signed by a qualified Environmental Professional. Rural and forestland Phase Is to ASTM E2247-23.
- Site reconnaissance of the property and its surroundings
- Historical records, maps and aerial photographs
- Federal, state and local environmental database review
- Interviews with owners, occupants and officials
- Clear conclusions on recognized environmental conditions
Transaction screens
For lower-risk deals where a full Phase I isn't needed: limited environmental due diligence to ASTM E1528-22, flagging potential environmental concerns quickly and affordably.
A transaction screen does not satisfy All Appropriate Inquiries. If you need CERCLA landowner liability protection, we'll recommend a Phase I instead.
Property Condition Assessments
Property condition reports prepared to ASTM E2018-24 for commercial and multifamily properties, including lender and HUD multifamily loan requirements.
- Walk-through of structure, roof, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety and site
- Review of building and fire department records
- Opinions of cost for immediate and future repairs
- ADA and Fair Housing screenings on request
More due diligence and environmental services
- Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM E1903-19): soil, groundwater and building sampling when a Phase I or screen finds a concern, analyzed by NYS ELAP-certified labs
- Vapor encroachment screening (ASTM E2600-22), often added to a Phase I
- PFAS site screening (ASTM E3358-23a)
- Methane hazard screening for buildings near landfills or buried organics (ASTM E2993-23)
- Continuing obligations plans so buyers keep their landowner liability protections after closing (ASTM E2790-20)
- Environmental compliance audits (ASTM E2107-20)
- Environmental cost and liability estimates (ASTM E2137-22)
- Building energy performance assessments (ASTM E2797-22), paired with our drone thermal imaging
- Limited moisture assessments for commercial buildings (ASTM E3026-23)
Site investigation, permits and environmental reviews
Investigation and cleanup support
- NYSDEC spill investigations and closure reports
- Underground and aboveground tank (UST/AST) closure and removal reports, plus Petroleum Bulk Storage (PBS) support
- Groundwater monitoring reports and electronic data submittals (EDD/EQuIS)
- Soil vapor intrusion evaluations under NYSDOH guidance
- Soil management plans and Community Air Monitoring Plans (CAMP)
- Waste characterization and disposal profiling
- PFAS sampling
- NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program documents, including investigation work plans and reports, Site Management Plans, Periodic Review Reports and IC/EC certifications
Plans and permits
- SPCC plans for oil storage (40 CFR 112)
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) under the NYS SPDES construction general permit
- SPDES and air permit support
- Wetland delineation and Article 15/24 permitting
Environmental reviews
- SEQR reviews (Environmental Assessment Forms and EIS support)
- NEPA and HUD Part 58 environmental reviews
Plans and reports that legally require a Professional Engineer or other licensed professional are certified by our licensed associates.
One visit, everything covered. Need asbestos, lead or mold sampling too? We can collect it on the same site visit, analyzed by accredited labs.
How it works
1
Call or request a quote
Tell us about the property and what's going on. We'll schedule a visit that fits your timeline.
2
On-site inspection
A licensed inspector collects samples, discreetly and with minimal disruption to your tenants or customers.
3
Results and next steps
Clear lab results in plain English, remediation consulting if needed, and clearance re-sampling when work is done.
Who we work with
- Homeowners & buyers
- Landlords & apartments
- Contractors
- Office buildings
- Restaurants & retail
- Property managers
- Lenders & commercial buyers
- Brokers & attorneys
Why Qualtek
- We quickly tell you whether it's a major issue or a minor one
- Experienced with worried owners and tenants, so we're calm, clear and discreet
- Multiple tests in one visit to save you time and money
- Remediation consulting and clearance re-sampling, start to finish
- Licensed & certified: [NYS asbestos license #] · [EPA lead firm cert #]
Test yourself
Asbestos or Not?
Look at real materials from real buildings and guess which ones contained asbestos. Most people can't tell. That's exactly why testing matters.
Common questions
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating?
In most cases, yes. New York State requires an asbestos survey before renovation or demolition work that could disturb building materials.
What does a pre-demolition survey include?
Two things, done in the same visit: an asbestos survey of all building materials, and a hazardous materials assessment. The assessment identifies other regulated materials that must be removed before the building comes down, such as PCB-containing light ballasts, mercury thermostats and lamps, lead-based paint, and refrigerants in HVAC equipment. You get one report you can hand to your contractor and the building department.
Can I tell asbestos by looking at it?
No. Fibers are microscopic. Only a lab test confirms it, which is why we sample before anything is cut, sanded or removed.
How fast will I get results?
[Typical turnaround, e.g. 2–5 business days, with rush options]
What areas do you serve?
All of New York State, based in Homer (Cortland County) and serving Central New York daily.
Get a quote
Tell us a little about the property and we'll get back to you the same business day.