Environmental Site Assessment

Along with a building condition survey, an Environmental Site Assessments is another step that you potentially have to undertake when purchasing real estate. Like other types of surveys and assessments, an ESA is a part of a buyer's responsibility to respect environmental due diligence. An ESA is typically conducted prior to purchasing or financing and determines potential or existing environmental liabilities. By conducting this assessment, the buyer can reduce his or her liability. An ESA can encompass one or two phases. The first phase focuses on the land and potential environmental issues. It can examine the potential for soil contamination, groundwater quality, surface water quality, inventory of hazardous materials kept on site, assessment of mold and mildew, etc. It never includes the collection of sample nor chemical analysis. If during the assessment an environmental issue arises, the company may have to continue onto phase two or three.

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