High-Quality Phase I ESAs with Fast Turnaround
When you are buying, selling, refinancing, or developing property, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is one of the most important steps in your due diligence process. Bowen Environmental Services (BES) provides Phase I ESAs for commercial, industrial, and residential properties — helping you identify environmental risks before they become your liability.
Our assessments are conducted in strict accordance with ASTM E1527-21 standards, ensuring compliance with federal due diligence requirements and eligibility for innocent landowner protection under CERCLA.
What Is a Phase I ESA?
A Phase I ESA is a non-intrusive investigation that evaluates a property’s environmental condition. No soil or water sampling is involved. Instead, the assessment relies on records review, a physical site inspection, interviews, and professional analysis to determine whether Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) exist — conditions that may indicate past or present contamination from hazardous substances or petroleum products.
The goal is straightforward: help you understand what environmental risks you may be taking on before you close the deal.
When Do You Need a Phase I ESA?
Commercial and industrial property transactions — Most lenders require a Phase I ESA before approving financing for commercial or industrial property. This protects both the lender’s investment and the buyer from inheriting unknown contamination liabilities.
Bank financing and SBA loans — If you are securing a loan for property acquisition, your lender will almost certainly require a Phase I ESA as part of the approval process.
Property redevelopment — If you are planning to redevelop a site with prior industrial, commercial, or agricultural use, a Phase I ESA identifies potential issues before you break ground.
Liability protection — Without performing appropriate environmental due diligence, a buyer can be held liable under CERCLA for cleanup costs they did not cause — potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Residential properties — A Phase I ESA is not typically required for residential purchases, but it may be necessary if the property has a history of commercial or industrial use or if a lender requires it.
What Is Included in a Phase I ESA?
Records Review — We research historical aerial photographs, Sanborn fire insurance maps, topographic maps, regulatory database searches, and environmental agency records to understand the property’s past uses and identify any documented environmental concerns in the area.
Site Inspection — A physical walkthrough of the property to observe current conditions, identify potential contamination sources, and document environmental concerns with photographs.
Interviews — We speak with current and past property owners, occupants, and local government officials to gather information about the property’s history and any known issues.
Report — All findings are compiled into a detailed report that includes a site history summary, environmental findings, identification of any RECs, and clear conclusions and recommendations. If concerns are identified, we will advise whether a Phase II ESA (which involves physical sampling) is warranted.
Turnaround Time
Most Phase I ESA reports are completed within one to three weeks after the site visit, depending on project complexity and records availability. In many cases, we can deliver a completed report in as fast as one week.
If your closing schedule is tight, let us know. BES will work with you to meet your timeline whenever possible.
Phase I ESA Cost
Costs vary depending on property size, location, and historical complexity.
Residential properties: Starting at $850
Small to mid-size commercial or industrial sites: Starting at $1,800
Large commercial or industrial sites: Starting at $3,500
State database fees and travel costs may vary by location. BES provides a clear quote for your specific property before work begins.
Service Area
Bowen Environmental Services is based in Georgia, where we perform Phase I ESAs extensively throughout the state. We are also available to travel and support projects in other states, coordinating with local data sources and regulatory agencies to ensure consistent, reliable results regardless of location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Phase I ESA include soil sampling? No. Phase I ESAs are non-intrusive. If potential contamination is identified, a Phase II ESA involving soil, groundwater, or soil vapor sampling may be recommended as a next step.
What happens if RECs are found? If the Phase I identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions, the next step is typically a Phase II ESA to confirm or rule out contamination. BES conducts both Phase I and Phase II assessments, so we can transition seamlessly into the next phase without delays.
Is a Phase I ESA required for every property purchase? Not by law, but most commercial lenders require one. Even when it is not required, a Phase I ESA is the only way to establish innocent landowner protection under CERCLA.
Contact BES
Ready to get started? Contact Bowen Environmental Services to discuss your property and receive a quote. Our team delivers high-quality, ASTM-compliant Phase I ESA reports on the timelines that real estate transactions demand.
Phone: 770-359-9271
Email: info@bowenenvironmental.com
