When purchasing a property, whether residential or commercial, it is imperative to know exactly what you are purchasing. Do you know the history of the site? Was the property an industrial facility? Do the current operations at the property pose a potential environmental concern? Are there indications on the property that some type of accidental/illegal dumping of wastes has taken place? Could you recognize a potential problem? If you were to purchase a property without knowing the answers to these types of questions, you could be getting a lot more than you bargained for.

Some property owners know more than they are willing to reveal during a property transaction. It is important that a potential buyer obtains as much information as possible regarding a property prior to purchase to minimize their liability. Knowing all available information for a property, a potential buyer can negotiate from a position of power and with a level of comfort regarding the environmental condition of the site.

The most common due diligence investigations include Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). Phase I ESAs are typically required by lending institutions or investment companies prior to proceeding with a property purchase, but are also completed by potential homeowners or developers to assure themselves that there are no potential or existing environmental concerns at the site. These investigations are not required by law, but are completed to limit the buyer’s potential liability.

A second type of due diligences include the investigation requirements outlined within the Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:26B). ISRA imposes certain preconditions on the sale, transfer, or closure of “industrial establishments” involved in the generation, manufacture, refining, transportation, treatment, storage, handling, or disposal of hazardous substances or wastes.

Firstech Environmental’s experienced consulting staff is well versed in the completion of both Phase I and ISRA investigations and the intricacies associated with these types of projects. As a result, we can obtain the proper information you need in an expeditious and thorough manner.