NVL Labs

I had two samples to be tested for asbestos, paid $ 35/​sample for 24hr turnaround. Results came back sooner (next morning) and had no problems.

I brought in some paint chips and popcorn ceiling samples (in their own ziploc’d bags already, as you’re supposed to). About $ 35 – 40 a sample, depending on the material, usually 1-​day turn around. Pretty easy. Once they’re done, for example, I just got e-​mailed a very minimalist report that says my paint chips are 0.03% lead… they don’t tell you whether or not that’s enough lead to worry about. (my own research concluded that 0.5% and above is considered «lead-​based paint»).

As previous review states, I brought in 5 samples to be tested. The process broke down when I tried to get the «final/​signed» reports for the samples that were tested. My «draft» results came back within the specified time frame I paid for, but they were not «final» until later when the results were reviewed. Thankfully the results didn’t change, but it took me 2 calls and an email to finally get the final results sent to me about a week after my original results came back.
The male front desk worker is friendly and easy to work with. I did not have as friendly of an experience with a female associate over the phone.

The woman at the front desk has a horrible attitude, she’s rude and doesn’t really seem to even know what she’s talking about. I would NOT suggest this lab — definitely worth looking around for another lab to help you out.

Frustrating to deal with! They make the process significantly more difficult than it has to be to get asbestos testing. I called to ask about what they needed from me to test my ceiling and they told me, we can’t tell you how to do the sample, but you can look online and gave a government website that is even less helpful. So, I pull some popcorn ceiling down and stick it in a bag like my real estate broker told me to do, go to the Lab and they tell me to go home and get more. Really??? I just called you to ensure that I give you what you need and you gave me ZERO helpful information. Fine, I went home, pulled down MORE asbestos from the ceiling to add to my asbestos filled bag and brought it back. This time the three college kids at the counter took my sample and told me it’d be done in 24 hours. Great! A day later, I get the report which gives a percentage of asbestos in the sample. I call to ask about what it means and they tell me that they can’t give any information and refer me to another useless government website. Awesome! Advice to NVL Labs: (1) Please put on your website what you need for a sample. (2) For the results, rather than giving the percentage of asbestos, lead paint, or mold in a given sample, please include City, State, National standards for safety or a «tested positive or tested negative» so we’re not left with useless information. The 3 kids it takes to run the reception desk seemed a bit much, and I think that providing helpful information would significantly increase the value of the NVL Lab’s offerings.

Quick, efficient, and reasonably priced.

Good analysis, fast, reasonably priced.
I’ve dealt with NVL for both professional and personal matters, and I’m amazed that they can give results on whether a sample is this, that or the other (lead and asbestos testing is what they do for the most part, I think). They also do gravimetric analysis and a host of other things that I don’t know about. If you need something tested, it pays to ask them if they can do it.
**update: I have to mention that if you’ve not dealt with NVL before, it helps to bring your sample that you want tested in a plastic bag. If you don’t, the people at the counter make angry faces at you while they hold their breath until you get the sample into the plastic bag that they’ve hurriedly given you. I thought I should mention that.