What is a Phase 1 Building Inspection? Do I Need One?

I have been asked a lot recently about Phase 1s. I realize there is a lot of confusion about them. Let me try to clear the air a bit so to speak.

In its simplest terms a Phase 1 is a site visit and document review of the surrounding area to determine if further investigation is advised from an environmental stand point.

A Phase 1 inspection is a review of local governmental documents regarding the site to determine what the past usage of the site was along with extensive document review of the surrounding area. It also entails a very involved and detailed site visit by a qualified professional. In addition there is data base information that is gathered and reviewed of the surrounding vicinity to determine if there is a potential risk from an environmental stand point in the immediate area.

These potential risks can be anything from a past gas station on or near the site that might have contaminated the ground water to there having been a dry cleaner on the site that might have spilled chemicals into the ground. There could have been past dumping on the site or an auto repair that did not handle the oils properly, lead in the paint, asbestos, and on and on.

I think you get the picture. The focus of a Phase 1 inspection is environmental not the structure or any of the systems of the building. The systems are the focus of the general visual inspection. They are two separate areas of responsibility. Both are important. Many lending institutions require a Phase 1 clearance before they will lend money.

A Phase 1 inspection is an integral part to many commercial and industrial real estate transactions. One bank that I know of will not lend for any commercial or industrial transaction on real estate over 1.5 million dollars without a Phase I. We are hard pressed to buy anything in the Los Angeles area in the commercial or industrial real estate area for under that.

There are two other aspects to a Phase 1 that may come into play depending on what is found during the Phase 1 inspection and research. These are Phase 2 and Phase 3. As you might assume Phase 2 and Phase 3 are the more involved aspects of the environmental field. Phase 2 involves testing of the site such as coring into the earth and taking samples of the soil along with testing it to determine what is in the soil. The information during a Phase 2 will determine if the site warrants further investigation and/or to be remediated. If remediation is needed this is Phase 3.

Each environmental Phase whether it is Phase 1, 2 or 3, has a very involved set of industry standard requirements. Each requires highly trained professionals to do properly. This is not an area to skimp on. Have a reliable company with vast experience do your Phase 1 inspection. Getting the cheapest deal for something this important I feel could easily be fiscally irresponsible. A properly done Phase 1 inspection really is for everyones protection not just the buyer.

The current rate for a professionally done standard Phase 1 inspection is approx. $1800.00 - $2000.00. Just so you understand to obtain the above mentioned documents is hundreds of dollars by itself. The report ends up usually being hundreds of pages. This price does not usually change unless the site gets very large and very involved. Currently the price stated will usually handle over 90% of all commercial real estate transactions.

I hope this clears the air a bit on what a Phase 1 inspection is.

I have been asked a lot recently about Phase 1s. I pull in there is a lot of confusion about them. Let me try to clear the air a bit so to speak.

In its simplest terms a Phase 1 is a site visit and document follow-up of the surrounding area to determine if further investigation is advised from an environmental stand point.

A Phase 1 inspection is a reappraisal of local governmental documents regarding the site to determine what the past usage of the site was along with extensive written document review of the surrounding area. It also entails a very involved and detailed site visit by a qualified professional. In summation there is data base selective information that is gathered and reviewed of the surrounding locality to ascertain if there is a potency risk from an environmental stand point in the immediate area.

These potential risks can be anything from a past gas base on or near the site that might have polluted the found water to there having been a dry cleaner on the site that might have spilled chemicals into the ground. There could have been past dumping on the site or an auto repair that did not handle the oils properly, lead in the paint, asbestos, and on and on.

I think you get the picture. The focus of a Phase 1 review is environmental not the structure or any of the systems of the building. The systems are the focus of the general visual inspection. They are two separate areas of responsibility. Both are important. Many loaning institutions necessitate a Phase 1 clearance before they will lend money.

A Phase 1 review is an integral part to many commercial and industrial real estate transactions. One bank that I know of will not lend for any commercial or industrial transaction on real landed estate over 1.5 million dollars without a Phase I. We are hard pressed to buy anything in the Los Angeles area in the commercial or industrial real acres area for under that.

There are two other aspects to a Phase 1 that may come into play depending on what is found during the Phase 1 inspection and research. These are Phase 2 and Phase 3. As you might assume Phase 2 and Phase 3 are the more involved aspects of the environmental field. Phase 2 involves examination of the site such as coring into the earth and taking samples of the soil along with testing it to find out what is in the soil. The information during a Phase 2 will check if the site warrants further investigation and/or to be remediated. If remedy is needed this is Phase 3.

Each environmental Phase whether it is Phase 1, 2 or 3, has a very involved with set of industry standard requirements. Each requires extremely trained professionals to do properly. This is not an area to skimp on. Have a reliable company with vast experience do your Phase 1 inspection. acquiring the cheapest deal for something this crucial I feel could easily be fiscally irresponsible. A decent done Phase 1 inspection really is for everyones aegis not just the buyer.

The current rate for a professionally done standard Phase 1 inspection is approx. $1800.00 - $2000.00. Just so you understand to obtain the above mentioned documents is hundreds of dollars by itself. The report ends up usually being hundreds of pages. This price does not commonly change unless the site gets very large and very involved. presently the price stated will normally handle over 90% of all commercial message real demesne transactions.

I hope this clears the air a bit on what a Phase 1 inspection is.

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