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Environmental due diligence, explained
Plain-English guides to Phase I and Phase II ESAs, costs, timelines, lender requirements and the standards behind them. Written by the team that does this work every day.
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
The report almost every commercial lender asks for, explained without the jargon: what it covers, who needs one and what to do with the results.
Read the guide · 7 min →
How much does a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment cost?
Typical price ranges, what pushes quotes up, and how to compare proposals without getting surprised by change orders.
Read the guide · 6 min →
Phase I vs. Phase II ESA: what's the difference?
One looks for evidence of contamination. The other tests for it. Here's how they fit together in a deal.
Read the guide · 5 min →
Do you need a Phase I ESA for an SBA loan?
How SBA lenders decide between a questionnaire, a records search, a Phase I or a Phase II, and how to keep your closing on schedule.
Read the guide · 7 min →
ASTM E1527-21: what changed and why it matters
The current Phase I standard, what's different from the 2013 version, and what it means for buyers and lenders.
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What is a recognized environmental condition (REC)?
The most important finding in a Phase I, and the related terms that often confuse buyers and lenders.
Read the guide · 5 min →
How long does a Phase I ESA take, and how long is it valid?
Turnaround times, the most common causes of delay, and the 180-day rule that trips up closings.
Read the guide · 5 min →
Phase II ESA cost and timeline: what to expect
Why Phase II quotes vary so much, what you're paying for, and how long the testing takes.
Read the guide · 6 min →
All Appropriate Inquiries and CERCLA liability protection
Why the Phase I matters legally, not just for your lender, and what you still have to do after closing.
Read the guide · 6 min →
Buying a former gas station or dry cleaner? Read this first.
These are the two property types most likely to turn up contamination. Here's what to check and how to keep the deal moving.
Read the guide · 6 min →Ready when your deal is.
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