Our due diligence services are backed by 40 years of professional experience in the environmental remediation industry, and we provide expert evaluations in accordance with the most current standards, guidance, and regulations. Whether you are buying or selling commercial real estate, refinancing a loan, or want to confirm the value of your holdings, The Brickhouse team will arm you with the knowledge needed to move forward with confidence. We work with our clients and give special considerations to the sensitive nature of certain transactions.. Our staff works in a professional manner to ensure a smooth process and to deliver quality products within the project deadlines.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
All of our Phase I ESAs begin with conformance to the most current American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards (E1527), which has become the most widely accepted standard practice among financial institutions and professionals. Our staff has experience with Phase I ESAs at properties of all sizes and uses, from commercial offices and retail outlets to industrial manufacturing facilities. As part of the standard scope of work, all sites receive a thorough records review. This process includes: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Historic Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs, review of Local Street Directories, Recorder of Deeds, Tax Assessment, and Zoning Records, Current Topographic Setting, Geology, Hydrology, and Soils, Local Municipal Records (building, health, and fire), ASTM Computerized Regulatory Database Search, and State and Federal Inquiry when necessary.
When a Phase I ESA has been completed within the last 180 to 360 days, a Phase I Update may be completed which represents an abbreviated version of the Phase I ESA. The Phase I Update includes a site inspection, regulatory database search, and interviews with occupants, owners, and government officials.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
Based on the findings of a Phase I ESA, additional investigation may be warranted to determine whether subsurface impacts are present at concentrations above applicable regulatory levels. Whether the Phase I ESA was prepared by Brickhouse or another environmental professional, our technical expertise, project experience, and strong relationships with regulators allow us to develop a scope of work designed to provide as much information as possible regarding the identified area of concern.
While every project scope is unique, elements of a Phase II often include:
- Geophysical surveys to locate subsurface features
- Advancement and assessment of soil cores
- Installation and testing of temporary well points, or permanent monitoring wells
- Storage tank precision tightness testing
- Collection of soil, groundwater, soil vapor, or indoor air quality samples for quantitative laboratory analytical testing
All Phase II ESAs are conducted under the direct supervision of an on-staff Licensed Professional Geologist or Engineer. Utility mark-out requests, quality assurance project plans and health and safety plans are prepared for each project to ensure the collection of high quality legally defensible data, to minimize the potential for impacts to Site infrastructure and operations, and to protect worker health and safety.
Site Specific Due Diligence Services and Land Planning
Some properties may not require a full Phase I ESA, but a more limited assessment could be warranted from an environmental impact and liability perspective. A Transaction Screen may be completed in accordance with ASTM standard E1528 and includes a trimmed down version of the Phase I ESA. Brickhouse will also work with clients to develop site specific assessments and screening tools on a case by case basis. While not in conformance with ASTM standards, we understand that a “one size fits all” approach is not always the case.
Other services we can provide include asbestos, mold, and lead surveys.
Environmental due diligence can be multi-faceted and may include other components such as wetland delineation, sinkhole evaluations, and geotechnical investigations. As a full service environmental consulting firm, we understand all phases of your project and can work from beginning to end, or anywhere in between. Our staff of Professional Geologists, Engineers, and Soil Scientists can provide the expertise needed to comply with local and state land development regulations while limiting your potential liabilities.