Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment – Nationwide
- RSB Environmental is the national leader in Phase 1 Environmental Site testing and Assessments.
- We are a leading provider of environmental due diligence service in Houston.
- Dependable to help you with your situation that involves a due diligence period in commercial real estate.
- Reliable Asbestos Surveys in support of commercial real estate transactions in Houston and beyond.
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Testimonial
WHAT OUR RECENT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
The team at RSB Environmental are very helpful with our company’s environmental needs. Always courteous and informative in regards to our questions.
RSB Environmental is a great company, they are easy to work with and handle all our Environmental needs in a friendly professional way. I would recommend RSB Environmental for all your company’s environmental needs.
Sachin and his team at RSB Environmental are very helpful with our company’s environmental needs. Always courteous and informative in regards to our questions.
RSB Environmental is a great company, they are easy to work with and handle all our Environmental needs in a friendly professional way. I would recommend RSB Environmental for all your company’s environmental needs.
What is an Environmental Site Assessment?
An Environmental Site Assessment or “ESA” is a process that evaluates the environmental liability of a real estate asset. To be precise, it is a process of conducting “all appropriate inquiries” or “AAI” into the past or present use of a property to see if the property is impacted by “recognized environmental conditions” or “REC”. That’s why it is a crucial part of your due diligence when you purchase commercial properties.
RSB Environmental understands the use of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report in the commercial real estate industry. Whether the property is industrial, commercial, mixed-use, multifamily, we are able to assess the historical and current uses of the property.
We provided Phase 1 ESA reports nationwide and have the available staff and experience to complete multi-site portfolios with very short due dates. We take pride in the fact that we can provide quality Phase I ESA reports for less cost than our competition.
RSB Environmental has successfully completed 2000+ Environmental Site Assessments in Houston and nationwide for a variety of clients including lenders, commercial real estate agents, buyers and sellers. Our staff has a combined 30 plus years of experience in all types of Environmental Inspections.
What Does a Phase I ESA Cover?
A phase 1 ESA is an important step in the process of purchasing a property. It covers a wide range of topics to ensure that the land is safe and suitable for use. During the visit, the assessor will observe the current and past conditions of the property. This includes looking for any signs of hazardous substances that may have been released into the environment. The assessment includes review of federal, state, local, and tribal databases to find out if there are any aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) or underground storage tanks (USTs) located on or near the property. These tanks can lead to issues with hazardous substances leaching into the ground, so it’s important to identify them during this stage.
The assessment also examines serial records related to any prior uses of the land. This helps determine if there were any activities that could have caused contamination in the soil or groundwater. If anything suspicious is found during this phase, further investigation may be necessary before a decision can be made about whether or not to purchase or lease the property. A Phase I ESA is an essential part of understanding what you’re getting into when buying or leasing land, so it’s important to make sure it.
What is the Risk of Not Getting an Phase i Environmental Site Assessment?
Not getting an environmental site assessment can make you liable for toxic hazards even if you did not cause or know about them at the time of purchase. You might be also liable for cleanup costs, regulatory action, and civil litigation.
RSB Environmental is the national leader in Phase One Environmental Site Assessment by volume.
Most reports are performed to meet the standards of ASTM E1527-21.
RSB Environmental often customizes reports to meet individual client or agency lender’s (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) requirements while taking the widely varying geology and topography of the State into consideration.
Why Is the Phase I ESA Important?
The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an important part of any commercial real estate transaction. It helps protect the landowner’s liability by identifying any historical or present-day environmental issues involving the site. The report also identifies all past uses that could have an impact on the site, such as a gas station, dry cleaning business, or other industrial types. These high-risk uses can affect the property for up to 40 years after the business has vacated the property.
The Phase I ESA is key to the due diligence process for the environment and helps ensure that any potential risks are identified before a purchase is made. It also allows buyers to make informed decisions about their investments and gives them peace of mind knowing that they are not taking on any unnecessary liabilities. By conducting a thorough assessment of a property’s history and current state, buyers can be sure that they are making a sound investment decision.
What is the Difference Between Phase 1 ESA and Phase 2 ESA?
The primary difference between Phase I and Phase II site assessment lies in the scopes of work of the assessment.
An Environmental Site Assessment Phase 1 primarily assesses the likelihood that a site is contaminated through visual observations, historical use reviews and regulatory records.
A Phase 1 ESA report and does not include sampling and an analysis component.
A Phase 2 ESA, on the other hand, typically involves a subsurface investigation of soil and/or groundwater below a site with potential contamination.
If Phase 1 identifies potential environmental issues, Phase 2 initiates further action.
How Long Are Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments Good For?
Once a standard Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) report has been completed, it will only be good for a 6-months time.
After 6 months, your Phase 1 environmental due diligence reports have to be comprehensively updated.
One year after the initial date on the report has passed, your Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is no longer valid.
Should I Pay For A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) reports are prepared for real estate and business transactions such as: land purchases, building purchases, leases, business purchases, new residential developments and bank loans. Our Phase 1 ESA reports are in compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E-1527-13. This ASTM standard adheres to the Environmental Protection Agency All Appropriate Inquiries Rule, codified into the federal regulations by the EPA (40 CFR Part 312). This type of report is the one typically required by lenders and is highly recommended prior to purchasing commercial or industrial real estate, or prior to starting new residential developments.
Phase 1 Environmental Assessment reports should be conducted any time you purchase a commercial or industrial property. A phase 1 ESA is also recommended when purchasing undeveloped and vacant land. If you are buying a house in or adjacent to a commercial area or next to a service station, dry cleaners or other environmentally sensitive business, you should also have a site assessment performed on the property prior to taking title.
RSB provides lender approved ASTM-E1527-21 and Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment which are often required when a property is externally financed. The purpose of a Phase i ESA is to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) associated with a parcel of commercial real estate with respect to the range of contamination within the scope of CERCLA and petroleum products.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments in Houston, Texas and Cities Across the Nation
Our Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments are second nature to RSB Environmental, based in Houston, Texas. Our experienced team are directed by environmental professionals with a minimum of 10-year’s experience. Our projects are very cost-effective because we are a mid-size company and we do not have the large overhead and expenses of a large company. We have the available staff and experience to complete multi-site portfolios with very short due dates. We take pride in the fact that we can provide quality Phase I ESA reports in Houston Texas and beyond for less cost than our competition. Here is an article that goes in-depth about Phase 1 Environmental site assessment cost in Houston and beyond!
RSB Environmental is the national leader in Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment by volume. Most reports are performed to meet the standards of ASTM E1527-21. RSB Environmental often customizes reports to meet individual client or agency lender’s (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) requirements while taking the widely varying geology and topography of Texas into consideration.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Report Scope:
Some of the areas of investigation include:
- A thorough review of historical records of the property, including historical aerial photographs, fire insurance mapping (maps, usually older, of most of the US showing what properties contained in the past, such as buildings, fuel tanks, etc.), and historical topographic mapping.
- A thorough review of readily available government environmental records of the property, such as for spills, releases to the environment, fuel tank registrations, hazardous material manifests, environmental records, etc.
- Interviews with current and past property occupants as might be obtainable, as well as others who might be able to shed light onto past or present uses of the property.
- A thorough site inspection. This site inspection would include a visual inspection of the presence of features such as fuel or chemical storage tanks, the presence of stained soils, site activities, etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
Conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is important for those engaged in real estate transactions. This assessment looks to detect any environmental issues that can influence the worth of the property. To identify these issues, it reviews the area’s history and previous activities that may have created contamination. Moreover, it scrutinizes records for hazardous materials such as underground tanks, environmental contamination, and chemical spills. By completing this assessment, buyers and sellers both have confidence that they are making informed decisions regarding their investment.
What Are the Benefits of Doing a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
The Phase I ESA is key to the due diligence process for protecting the environment and ensuring that any potential risks are identified and addressed before a purchase is made. It provides valuable information about the current state of the property and its history, which can help inform decisions about whether or not to proceed with a purchase. Without this assessment, property buyers may be unaware of potential environmental risks that could lead to costly clean-up efforts or legal action down the line.
How Long Does a Phase I ESA take?
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an important step in the process of purchasing or leasing a property. It helps to identify any potential environmental risks associated with the property and can help to protect property buyers from costly liabilities. The length of time it takes to complete a Phase 1 ESA depends on the size and complexity of the project, but typically takes between 2-3 weeks.
What Happens After the Phase I Environmental Assessment is Completed?
When the Phase I ESA is complete, it will be determined if any other measures must be implemented. If there are no allusions to contamination or other environmental problems, the real estate transaction can continue as usual. Nonetheless, if signs of possible pollution arise, a Phase 2 evaluation must be conducted to investigate further and recognize any potential dangers. Additionally, some government agencies and loaners may necessitate augmented due diligence reports such as soil sampling, groundwater testing and air quality monitoring in order to guarantee that all laws concerning the environment are upheld. These reports can safeguard both parties engaged in the exchange by furnishing an accurate representation of the asset’s state and any hazard or environmental contamination linked with it.
