| nk"> | | | | prevent such issues from arising. |
| For anyone looking to purchase or lease a | | | | There are two types of environmental site |
| commercial property, or for those who currently | | | | assessments, the Phase I and Phase II. Phase I |
| own commercial real estate, there are plenty of | | | | environmental site assessments, also known as |
| items to look for to ensure the safety of the | | | | Phase I ESA reports, can help identify potential |
| property. In fact, for a business owner, it can | | | | environmental liabilities through an inspection of the |
| often become a terrible headache to deal with the | | | | property and a review of the property’s |
| stress and complications of securing a place for | | | | records, but doesn’t involve extensive |
| your company. Luckily, there are plenty of ways | | | | testing or sampling of the environment. Phase II |
| in which an experienced assessment company can | | | | on the other hand includes the measures included |
| simplify the process of assessing the condition of | | | | in Phase I, but also involves soil, ground water, |
| a property, and also investigate and prevent | | | | and surface sampling to detect environmental |
| serious structural, electrical, or environmental | | | | hazards and liabilities. These reports will also be |
| issues before they become a serious liability! Use | | | | helpful in that they should also recommend options |
| Your Assessor as a Resource | | | | should problem areas be detected. |
| Your property assessor should be used as a | | | | Forensic Engineering Could Be a Lifesaver |
| resource for your commercial real estate | | | | Many commercial assessment companies also |
| endeavors. Some may consider assessment | | | | provide forensic engineering services, and could be |
| services to be helpful, but somewhat | | | | a good way to prevent future safety hazards. |
| unnecessary. For those who have this perception, | | | | The process of forensic engineering is a service |
| you may not be using their services to their | | | | for insurance companies and commercial property |
| fullest potential! First, the assessor or their staff | | | | and business owners that investigates materials, |
| can help inform and educate business owners | | | | structures, and products that do not work |
| about the entire process of assessing commercial | | | | property or fail to function as intended. This |
| real estate properties, and can also advise them | | | | investigative service is not commonly required, |
| of deadlines, government records, and other | | | | but it should be employed if you have even a |
| items that can affect which property you should | | | | slight suspicion of a potential mechanical or |
| procure for your business. In addition, property | | | | electrical failure. |
| condition assessment is one of the best ways to | | | | The benefit of forensic engineering investigation is |
| detect potential hidden problems within a | | | | that it could prevent catastrophic accidents, or at |
| property, beyond what you may see on the | | | | the very least ensure they don’t reoccur. |
| surface. Having a property that provides an | | | | If an accident does occur, such services can help |
| attractive environment for your business is one | | | | save lives in the future, and also reduce legal |
| thing, but finding one that is safe, secure, and will | | | | consequences should another accident arise! |
| also provide high standards in a building’s | | | | Companies and individuals that provide forensic |
| overall condition is truly different, and a skilled | | | | engineering services are often comprised of fire |
| property condition assessor can provide exactly | | | | investigators that can identify the origin and |
| that. | | | | causes of a fire to prevent a re-occurrence. Fire |
| Ensure an Environmental Assessment is | | | | analysis is a blend of forensic sciences and fire |
| Performed | | | | science that helps reduce the liability that a |
| In many cases, depending on the nature of a | | | | business or property owner has to endure, and is |
| business, such as those in manufacturing, an | | | | the ideal solution for getting many of your own |
| environmental assessment may be required. | | | | questions answered following a terrible fire or |
| There are plenty of business owners who may | | | | accident. |
| feel an environmental assessment may be | | | | Receiving these services is important for safety, |
| avoidable, especially considering these | | | | security, and peace of mind. Should questions |
| assessments aren’t cheap! But choosing to | | | | arise about assessment services, it’s |
| save money and not have this performed may | | | | important to contact local assessment companies |
| be risky since problems could arise at the | | | | or consult your board of equalization or board of |
| property that could expose you and your | | | | assessors to get additional help or |
| business to a huge liability. Having an environmental | | | | recommendations for getting a fair, beneficial |
| assessment performed can most certainly help | | | | property assessment. |