Home Visit?

So I got a letter from one of my utility companies today that said they are replacing service lines, and have hired a private contracting company that wants to come into my house and inspect my current lines to see where the best place to hook up the new lines would be. Problem is, the line they want to inspect runs right behind my growroom. :(

From the outside, my growroom just looks like a poorly-built-with-plywood enclosed room. The exhaust duct comes out the opposite side they will be looking at. There wouldn't be lights on during the day or any fans running, just my air pumps. What would you do in this situation?

My main fear is they will notice the smell of plants; when you enter my basement, you can definitely smell the distinct smell of live growing plants, not necessarily a skunky weed smell but just a live plant smell in general. It is a private contracting company doing the work, so should I even be worried, since its not like the city inspectors or any kind of local authority? I had the water main to my house replaced a while back when I first started growing, and the bore from the drilling machine for the new pipe came in behind my room (where the utility line is they want to inspect now), and they discovered my old duct line (why I changed it) and the ballast and timer, and told my BIL (owns the house) that we were probably growing weed in this strange padlocked plywood room, but luckily didn't notify the authorities. Although nothing ultimately happened, I definitely don't wanna be in that situation again, very nerve racking! :stoned:

Say the guy did call the cops and said, "I think this guy's growing pot in his basement"; even if there's nothing visible in plain sight to suggest that in this poorly built plywood room lies a few cannabis plants, is that enough probable cause for cops to get a search warrant and come knocking down my door?:wtf:

I just simply don't know what to do, and am very nervous about it. I am considering moving my plants (3 flower, 4 veg) out of the basement and into another room far away from where they would be going on the day they are scheduled to come, but since I have some in flower, I am worried about messing up the photoperiod or stressing them somehow.

Any advice would be appreciated! :hippy:

I rely heavily on my instincts and If I was in your shoes my instincts would have alerted me back when they discovered your old ductline and made mention about your "probably growing weed".

..but thats just me.

So what do you think I should do? Move the plants, and just leave the door to the room open when they come so they can see nothing illegal is in there? :confused: The duct line the plumbers saw way back when is no longer there, but my ballast and timer still are, but I was planning on moving it for the inspection. I have also considered emptying the room and stacking a bunch of junk right inside the door to make it look like some sort of store room. Your reply wasn't very helpful... :jointsmile:

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Originally Posted by MasterKushy

So what do you think I should do? Move the plants, and just leave the door to the room open when they come so they can see nothing illegal is in there? :confused: The duct line the plumbers saw way back when is no longer there, but my ballast and timer still are, but I was planning on moving it for the inspection. I have also considered emptying the room and stacking a bunch of junk right inside the door to make it look like some sort of store room. Your reply wasn't very helpful... :jointsmile:

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sorry I wasnt very helpful, but while I was trying to edit my last post my 10 min edit time ran out.
I personally dont take chances is what I'm trying to say. If I were in the same situation as you described, I would have already moved 'em.

Thanks for the feedback. I am thinking the same thing. The good thing is the letter said that I can call them and arrange a time so will I know exactly when they will be coming over to inspect things, so there will be no surprises and I will have plenty of time to prepare. Problem is, what if it still *looks* like a growroom to them? Do you think I should intentionally leave the door open and pack it full of shit to make it look like a storage room?

Thats a tough question for me to answer...I hope you understand I wouldnt want to steer you in the wrong direction. The only advise I can possibly give you is; to not take chances.

"When in doubt, I whip it out!"
Works for me everytime.:thumbsup:

I'm with Rainhaze get them out of there. My sister had a grow going and felt it getting iffy. She did nothing and got in LOTS of trouble for it. Biggest loss was of course all the equipment. Not to even mention all the court fees.

Your idea to make it look like storage is good. However if I were you I'd find somewhere to "store" you current grow. Then go to your local greenhouse to see what food type plants you can get. Then stage the room with tomatoes, chili plants, strawberries,.... Anything you could get. Then go to some local organic food store and buy a couple tomatoes, strawberries and such.

While the guy is there working, Do a little grow room maintenance. Check PH, inspect your plants for bugs,.. whatever.

Once the guy sees what you have in there. Offer him a BLT with "your last grow" tomatoes. Feed him the tomato from the local organic store. :thumbsup:

THEN the guy will go away ranting how incredible that tomato, or the strawberries were. He'll report back that your gardening in there. Thus clearing the previous guys suspicions.

It is written in the patriot act, that any "service" persons entering houses have to report any suspicious activity. Thus you've already got suspicion!

By using this method. You'll clear out any MJ ideas already on the books. You will also be explaining away all the grow equipment such as ballasts without saying a word or making any excuses!:thumbsup:

Good luck!

Yeah... and even If he doesnt smell the plants.... he might think you have someone kidnapped or somethin in the padlocked plywood room in your basement!

kinda strange to have a padlocked plywood room in your basement...dont ya think?

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Originally Posted by MasterKushy

I have also considered emptying the room and stacking a bunch of junk right inside the door to make it look like some sort of store room.

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thats a good idea fella!

let them see its just a storage room...full of shit!

I wouldnt go with the organic tomato idea!

what kind of wierdo grows vegetables in thier basement?

The only reason we grow 'weed' indoors instead of the back garden is because its illegal and it keeps it outa sight so we dont get caught!

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Originally Posted by monny10

thats a good idea fella!

let them see its just a storage room...full of shit!

I wouldnt go with the organic tomato idea!

what kind of wierdo grows vegetables in thier basement?

The only reason we grow 'weed' indoors instead of the back garden is because its illegal and it keeps it outa sight so we dont get caught!

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Actually, (although somewhat tinfoil hat ish). Many people over the last few years have started growing food indoors. With our government over regulating farming, The food companies selling GM modified seed and economics being treated as a bottomless bushel of cash. Many people have decided indoor growing is a good way to have backup food in case of disaster.

There are MANY sites dedicated to indoor food production. :thumbsup:

Question might come up as to why a storage room needs 2000w of HPS lighting, ventilation, locks, painted or shiny walls on the inside of the box??

I'm not saying the idea of storage won't work either. Simply that it doesn't cover all questions that COULD come up. Plus the person who posted this question did mention the ballasts being visable as well as some of the ventilation. Personally I plan to grow a few other things under all my lighting anyway(Medical grow). So, I'm figuring on some tomatos, Green chilis(I've seen both grown VERY well indoors). Plus looking into others.:thumbsup: