Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinTop 6 Environmental Consulting Agencies in Vancouver
Environmental consulting is a growing industry in Vancouver. As the city grows, the demand for environmental consulting increases due to real estate and commercial building growth.
Keep reading as we list down some of the top environmental consulting agencies in Vancouver.
How Much Do Environmental Consulting Agencies Charge in Vancouver
Going green is becoming a trend in the market. A lot of companies are looking to reduce their carbon footprint by making greener choices.
Environmental consultancy costs about CAD 2,000 per project. If you need geotechnical reports for a full study of an area’s geography, this can range from CAD 800 to 1,500 per report.
Check out the table below to see some of the most common services the agencies offer and their average estimated cost.
Top Environmental Consulting Agencies in Vancouver
Selecting the right environmental consulting agency can seem like an overwhelming task. However, you don’t have to worry. We’ve assessed the following firms based on the criteria below to make sure you get high-quality services:
1. Lorax Environmental Services Ltd.
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Since 1996, Lorax Environmental Services Ltd. has provided professional environmental consulting services in Vancouver.
What we found most impressive is that they have provided services for a wide range of industries, ranging from the mining industry to government agencies, oil and gas companies, and many more.
Another thing we liked about them is that they have a large team of scientists and engineers with extensive experience in a variety of environmental issues.
Their staff’s diverse expertise in a wide range of environmental fields show their expertise. This includes surface water quality, hydrology, hydrogeology, aquatic biology, and many more, enhances their credibility.
But that’s not all that we liked about them. Another thing that we liked was their 3D visualization services. In our opinion, this allows them to provide more accurate environmental advice to their clients.
Unfortunately, they have relatively higher rates. They’re also on an appointment-only system, so you’d have to call before dropping by their office.
Even so, we think Lorax Environmental Services Ltd. is one of the top environmental consulting services in Vancouver, as they have an experienced team that uses state-of-the-art equipment that makes them efficient.
Pros
- Has worked with many industries
- Experienced staff in a wide range of environmental issues
- Big team of scientists and engineers
- Utilizes modern software
Cons
- Relatively higher rates
- By appointment only
Customer Reviews
Great services
“If you respect the environment you’ve gotta respect Lorax! I have not been paid to write this review although I am not against it. Any form of payments are acceptable.” -David M.
Top-notch expertise
“Best at what they do.” -Michael L.
2. Kinetic OHS Services Ltd.
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Kinetic OHS Services Ltd. started in 2014, providing full-service environmental consulting services. They specialize in asbestos, environmental, and occupational health and safety consulting services.
This locally owned company has a big team of experienced professionals with over 40 years of collective industry experience, which we found impressive.
They offer comprehensive services to both residential and commercial customers and are equipped to help companies of all sizes meet their environmental, safety, and health objectives.
Some of the services they provide include site and risk assessments, assistance with WorkSafeBC compliance, and other environmental-related evaluations.
Also, it’s important to note that they offer consulting services for hazardous materials. These services can help businesses meet regulatory requirements for handling and exposing hazardous materials in a variety of ways.
We also liked how simple it is to send them an inquiry. Customers can simply head to their website and send their inquiries, and they’ll receive a quote within two business days.
Moreover, several of the customers we’ve talked to have also praised their professionalism, saying things like how on-time they are and how well they know Vancouver’s rules, which helps them recommend the best services.
In sum, we highly recommend Kinetic OHS Services Ltd. for all your environmental consulting needs.
Pros
- Specializes in asbestos, environmental, and occupation health and safety consulting
- Big team of experienced professionals
- Knowledgeable with Vancouver laws
Cons
- Closed on weekends
- Only one office location
Customer Reviews
Highly-recommendable
“Can’t recommend these folks highly enough. Everyone we dealt with in terms of the testing and demolition inspection of our vintage 1929 house was knowledgeable, efficient and thorough.” -Luke P.
Timely services
“Ramin and his team were great. Timely service and very professional. They knew exactly what needed to be done and his work was cleared by the city of vancouver very quickly without any problems.” -Chun K.
3. Tetra Tech
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Founded in 1996, Tetra Tech has provided consulting and engineering services in Vancouver. They’re focused on water, the environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development.
We found it especially interesting that they have more than 2,000 associates all over the world. We think this gives them the ability to work on even the most complicated projects.
We’d also like to point out that they have more than 470 offices around the world, which makes their services easier for more people to use.
With these assets, they’re able to work on an impressive range of projects, from small-scale sustainability initiatives to large-scale international development projects.
Tetra Tech provides approximately 24 environmental consulting services, including assessment and planning, high-performance building, and climate change consulting.
They also offer full design and engineering services and use green design elements like lighting that uses less energy, ventilation systems that save water, plumbing fixtures that use less water, and many more.
However, we’re not big fans of the fact that they’re closed on weekends, as we think this limits their availability.
Even so, we like that they can work with a wide range of clients, from small local government agencies and private businesses to national governments and large, international companies.
Overall, we felt that Tetra Tech deserved a spot on our list as they provide comprehensive environmental consulting services.
Pros
- Wide specialization
- Has over 2,000 associates worldwide
- 470 offices worldwide
- Comprehensive green design and engineering services
Cons
- Closed on weekends
- Relatively higher rates
Customer Reviews
Professional
“I dealt with Colin Fyfe whom I found to be so professional & helpful. He truly cared about our project & was a pleasure to deal with.” -Debbi R.
Great workmanship
‘Great people, quality work. If you are looking for Engineering Consultants Tetra Tech should be on your list of go to’s. What else can I say?.” -Jim P.
4. AE Environmental Consulting Corp.
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Since 1997, AE Environmental Consulting Corp. has worked with residential, commercial, and industrial clients in Canada to help them improve their health and safety on the job and protect the environment.
They have a track record of dealing with federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory agencies, which was the first thing we observed. This, in our opinion, ensures that their advice adheres to all current regulatory standards.
It also adds to their credibility that all their staff are licensed professionals, allowing them to provide the highest quality service available.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy also recognizes its staff as “Qualified Environmental Professionals” (QEP).
Now, as for the services they offer, this business can do things like environmental assessments, manage hazardous materials, and take care of waste, to name a few.
Having said that, we were a bit disappointed to know that they have limited project capacity.
Despite this, the majority of consumers we’ve spoken to praise their services as they make sure to deliver a fast turnaround time. Rush jobs, however, incur an additional fee.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for one of the top environmental consulting agencies in Vancouver, AE Environmental Consulting Corp. is a great choice.
Pros
- Years of experience
- Worked with federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory agencies
- Licensed and recognized professionals
Cons
- Limited project capacity
- Additional fees for rush jobs
Customer Reviews
Ideal choice for health and safety services
“Steven and his team at ALARA Environmental are a definite must for anyone looking to purchase a warehouse or development property and are concerned with possible contamination or health & safety.” A G.
Prompt and professional
‘Dennis made sure to ask each time whether a 24-hour turnaround was desired as there was added costs and then he communicated the results. All communication was prompt and professional.” -Jim and Jo S.
5. Golder
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Golder provides comprehensive and sustainable environmental consulting services in Vancouver. The company was founded in 1960 and has since expanded to have offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
We were most happy with how many different industries they worked with. They have a lot of experience with mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries.
We would also like to point out that they have won many awards from well-known groups, such as Nexa, the American Council of Engineering, Whitby, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and many others.
Another thing we found impressive is that they have a wide range of environmental services. This includes performing assessments to develop solutions to minimize and manage impacts while ensuring regulatory compliance.
It’s also a great feature that they also do the science, engineering, and stakeholder engagement, as they have a dedicated team of strategic advisors and environmental and social scientists.
If there’s one drawback that we’ve observed with them, it’s that they don’t have an online booking system where customers can secure an appointment with them.
Nevertheless, we think Golder is one of the top environmental consulting services in Vancouver, as they have a wide range of environmental services.
Pros
- Years in experience
- Wide industry sector coverage
- Has received numerous awards
Cons
- No booking system
- Closed on weekends
Customer Reviews
Talented and professional
“Great company with Super Talented Professionals!!!.” -Tejas B.
Top-notch services
‘Top notch engineering company.” -Greg N.
6. Active Earth Engineering LTD.
| SERVICES | ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROGEOLOGY HBM ASSESSMENT |
| WEBSITE | activeearth.ca |
| ADDRESS | 201 – 3989 Henning DriveBurnaby, BC V5C 6P8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (778) 737-3488 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM |
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Covered Industry Sectors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Recognitions | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Years in Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Project Capacity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Staffing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Active Earth Engineering is a reputable company that provides superior environmental construction services. With a team of dedicated professionals who prioritize their clients’ needs, the company offers efficient, thorough, and cost-effective engineering solutions.
One of the key strengths of Active Earth Engineering is its 100% employee ownership, ensuring that all senior project staff have a personal stake in the success and reputation of the company. This commitment to excellence is reflected in their approach to project management, where technical expertise and strong communication skills are combined to deliver outstanding results. The company values honest and open communication with clients, providing frequent progress reports and closely tracking project costs and progress to minimize risks to budget and schedule.
Active Earth Engineering stands out for its highly competent team, boasting nearly zero staff turnover since its establishment in 2007. This consistency ensures that clients receive a reliable and experienced team that is well-equipped to handle a wide range of environmental investigations, including site assessments and detailed investigations. Their expertise extends to remediation and soil relocation projects, where they employ various techniques such as excavation, bio-remediation, and risk assessment to address contaminants and achieve environmental closure.
Furthermore, Active Earth Engineering has a strong track record in obtaining regulatory approvals and permits, thanks to its deep understanding of environmental acts and regulations in British Columbia. Their knowledgeable team can navigate the complex regulatory landscape efficiently, providing clients with timely and cost-effective solutions.
Overall, Active Earth Engineering is a trusted partner for environmental construction services. Their commitment to client satisfaction, technical expertise, and strong project management capabilities make them a reliable choice for any environmental engineering project.
Pros
- Reputable company with superior environmental construction services.
- 100% employee ownership ensures commitment to excellence.
- Highly competent team with expertise in environmental investigations.
Cons
FAQs about Environmental Consulting Agencies in Vancouver
We hope you found this list useful in finding the best environmental consulting agencies. If you’re looking for more information about any of these firms, simply click the link in the company name to go to their website.
Now, in case you need some help with how to recycle your waste, check out our Vancouver Recycling Guide article where you can find useful information on what and where to properly dispose of your waste.
