Due Diligence Services

BLE Due Diligence Assessments & Consulting

In-depth environmental and engineering assessments that give you peace of mind with every transaction.

You need to know the environmental and building risk factors you’re facing when purchasing a property, upgrading an existing facility, or selling an asset. Environmental and engineering liabilities relating to potential contamination, building deficiencies, or existing permit requirements can be unnoticed, resulting in cost and delays for projects.

For over 30 years, BLE’s environmental consultants have performed thousands of Environmental Site Assessments across the US. In addition, BLE provides services including Property Condition Assessments (PCA), asbestos materials surveys, lead-based paint surveys, vapor intrusion surveys, wetland delineations, and Brownfield assessments and consulting.

To help our clients make informed decisions and manage environmental and property-related risks, we offer various due diligence services: 

• Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments
• Property Condition Assessments
• Asbestos surveys, lead-based paint surveys, and mitigation
• Wetland delineations
• Soil gas/vapor intrusion & mitigation
• Environmental compliance audits
• Risk management and monetization of environmental and engineering liabilities 
• Strategic consulting on risk and liability management 
• Brownfield grant writing, program management and execution 
• Facility Decommissioning consulting and oversight support 

Our clients are developers, owners, capital investment firms, asset managers, lenders, and legal counsel.

Whether you’re a corporation managing a portfolio of properties or a start-up seeking their first commercial building, BLE has the resources you need to quickly assess properties with various complex operations or unique issues.

The Basic Due Diligence Steps:

The common steps of evaluating environmental and engineering liabilities often take a systematic approach. The environmental and engineering due diligence process may include:

1. Conduct a Phase I ESA to determine if Recognized Environmental Conditions exist that potentially pose financial or regulatory liability for Sites. If warranted, conduct a Phase II ESA to collect samples to evaluate whether there has been actual impact to the Site.
2. If buildings or other structural improvements are on site, a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) can be conducted to evaluate needed repairs or equipment replacement planning, along with corresponding costs.
3. Asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, or other hazardous material surveys may be performed to evaluate the presence of and costs associated with abatement of these materials.  
4. Operating facilities may also exhibit industrial hygiene concerns or regulatory compliance liabilities.  
5. New site development plans may require wetlands or natural resource determinations. 
6. Existing facilities may require removal and/or disposal of various hazardous materials and/or decontamination or decommissioning support. 
7. If a Site is known, or anticipated, to have environmental concerns, BLE can support alternative regulatory pathways and assessment approaches, which can provide prospective purchasers a means of managing liabilities while still securing a loan and ultimately redeveloping a Site. These approaches often fall under BLE’s Brownfield redevelopment assessment and support services. 

Based on the results of our assessments and in conjunction with our geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing teams, BLE can assist Clients in developing a plan to successfully move their project forward.  

Phase I/Phase II Environmental Assessments

Environmental due diligence is a formal process that assesses real estate for potential risk of environmental contamination. This process has become an essential component of the real estate transactions. Conducting environmental site assessments has the goal of providing an independent, professional opinion regarding potential environmental conditions associated with a Site. 

ASTM 1527 – Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments Process, commonly referred to as the Phase I ESA, is the typical first assessment used to evaluate a site for Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). The term REC is defined as “(1) the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at the subject property due to a release to the environment; (2) the likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at the subject property due to a release or likely release to the environment; or (3) the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at the subject property under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment.” 

These assessments include: 

• Site Inspection
• Environmental Records Review
• Interview(s) with key site personnel 
• Report 

If environmental concerns are identified in a Phase I ESA, a Phase II ESA may be performed.  A Phase II ESA includes the collection of samples, which are tailored to assess known or potential environmental concerns identified during the Phase I ESA. The Phase II is often tailored under the guidance of the Environmental Professional, and may include soil samples, groundwater samples, soil gas samples, or surface water samples.  The chemicals selected for analysis are also typically selected based on the environmental concerns identified during the Phase I. The laboratory results obtained during the Phase II ESA are then compared to applicable regulatory standards and a report is prepared summarizing the findings.

Property Condition Assessments

BLE’s Property Condition Assessments (PCA) are conducted by our trained and experienced building inspector. The PCA is performed in accordance with a defined standard, ASTM E2018. Our professionals provide observations, data, findings and opinions important to establishing a building’s condition while also identifying deficiencies in the buildings’ various systems.  Furthermore, our assessments  provide estimated costs to remedy these deficiencies and estimated capital reserves needed for anticipated future replacement and maintenance costs. 

The goal of a PCA is to identify physical deficiencies to a commercial property, including the condition of the building structure, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, roofing system, and other various features commonly associated with commercial structures. This assessment is accomplished by performing a walk-through survey, interviewing site representatives, and conducting research on the structure(s).

The information observed during the walk-through survey and obtained during review of available documents and interviews is documented in a Property Condition Report (PCR). The PCR includes opinions of short-term costs and suggested remedies to address physical deficiencies, as well as a 12-year estimated Capital Reserves table.

In addition to the PCA, as defined by ASTM E2018, there are other assessments offered by BLE that are very similar to the PCA. These alternate versions include Limited PCAs, Facility Condition Assessments, Building Condition Assessments, Reserve Studies, and Replacement Reserve Studies. Many of these alternate versions of the assessment of a property’s condition incorporates various special focus areas, including items like ADA evaluations or specialized cost projections. 

PCAs, and the alternate iterations of these assessments, serve as a resource to keep users informed of a property’s condition, when decisions are critical. 

Federal and State Brownfields Programs/EPA Brownfield Grant Programs

While there is a clear downside in neglecting to consider environmental risks, there is also the possibility of realizing redevelopment opportunities that may present viable projects for investment and community enhancement.

We are experts at identifying financial mechanisms, including tax incentives and US EPA Brownfield Grant Programs, and regulatory pathways that both manage risk and offer significant redevelopment opportunities, made available through Brownfield redevelopment programs. If you are pursuing Brownfields redevelopment opportunities:

1. Environmental knowledge can be turned to commercial advantage in land transactions
2. Environmental liabilities can be identified and quantified so that they can be managed to protect public health and return areas to thriving communities.

Learn more about BLE’s Brownfields services.

Contact BLE for Due Diligence Services

At Bunnell Lammons Engineering (BLE), we recognize the critical importance of thorough environmental and engineering due diligence across markets whether that be residential, commercial, or industrial properties. Our due diligence services are designed to identify potential environmental liabilities, provide high-quality technical assessments, and provide trustworthy consulting that ensures our clients can confidently make informed decisions and ultimately better mitigate risks. 

BLE’s team of experts provide environmental and engineering due diligence services with the expertise and insight needed to navigate complex challenges. Contact BLE today if you need environmental due diligence.