Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment helps you avoid costly surprises by identifying potential contamination risks before property acquisition. Whether you’re buying, financing, or refinancing a commercial or industrial site, Wingfield Environmental provides thorough, defensible reports that meet ASTM E1527-21 standards and satisfy lender and regulatory requirements.

Why a Phase I ESA matters

Buying property without understanding its environmental history can be risky. Like bringing a used car to a mechanic or hiring a home inspector, a Phase I ESA gives you the full story before you close. It’s the first step in environmental due diligence — and often a requirement for lenders, investors, and government-backed loans.

A properly completed Phase I ESA helps you:

Qualify for liability protection under federal and state programs
Avoid unexpected cleanup costs
Ensure smooth financing and regulatory compliance
Make informed, data-driven business decisions

What we do

Wingfield Environmental conducts every assessment according to the current ASTM E1527-21 standard for Phase I ESAs. Our process includes:

Records review – Examination of federal, state, and local databases, historical aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, and property records.
Site reconnaissance – A detailed inspection to identify signs of current or past contamination, hazardous material use, or storage.
Interviews – Conversations with owners, tenants, neighbors, and local officials to uncover historical operations and site conditions.
Evaluation & reporting – Analysis of all findings to determine whether Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) exist and if further investigation (Phase II) is warranted.

How the process works

Gather information

We collect available records and schedule site access.

Perform the assessment

Site visit, interviews, and documentation review.

Deliver your report

You receive a clear, signed report summarizing findings, RECs, and recommended next steps.

What You Receive

A Phase I ESA report that meets ASTM E1527-21 standards
Maps, photos, and figures documenting site conditions
A list of Recognized Environmental Conditions associated with the property.
Recommended next steps, such as a Phase II ESA that includes testing for suspect contamination on the subject property.

Why Choose Us?

Wingfield Environmental professionals have over 100 cumulative years in performance of Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments. Our scientists and engineers are familiar with what to look for on properties that could lead to environmental liability for Buyers, Sellers or Lenders.