If you are looking to buy vacant land in Florida, you must consider getting an environmental assessment done by a Florida land inspection company. Otherwise, you may end up with land that’s chock-full of contaminant, posing a serious financial, and legal liability for you later on.
This is especially important if you are buying a large parcel in a commercial, industrial, or rural area.
But how to choose a land inspection company that is reliable and willing to go the extra mile for their clients? That’s what we are going to cover in this post today.
How to Choose the Best Florida Land Inspection Company?
Before you hire the land inspection and environmental assessment specialists, you need to be certain of the following factors:
They Must Have Experience and Resources You Need
You may need to carry out a Phase 1 ESA (Environmental Site Assessment) to accurately determine the state of the land. And if this ESA is performed by companies that have limited staff and resources, they might miss some crucial details – details that can cost you millions in the future.
Whoever you are considering working with, ask them if they follow the AAI (All Appropriate Inquiry) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) guidelines? Do they investigate the full history of the property by researching multiple sources?
If there are environmental problems with the land – and the Florida land inspection company fails to identify it – you are the one who will pay the price. For example, water contamination in Broward County alone is incredibly high. If your land is located in that county, your inspection company should know that and take appropriate steps.
So, don’t just hire a company that’s quoting you cheapest or “fastest” prices. Choose one that has a reputation for doing things right.
They Should Be Able To Provide You Local Guidance
Does your land inspection company understand and work with local regulatory programs? The majority of states have their own programs and guidelines for documenting existing contamination, like Baseline Environmental Assessment in Michigan, or for managing hazardous wastes like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in Florida.
Only a company familiar with the local rules can help you choose what’s applicable for your potential deal.
They Must Understand Your Development Plans
A Phase 1 ESA may allow you to get financing, however, only an inspection company with remedial redevelopment experience can identify obstacles like:
- Costs associated with the disposal and management of impacted groundwater or soil during the development process
- Risks associated with changing the use of a property
- Activity and Use Limitations (AULs)
If you are not careful, you may end up with a soil disposal bill worth multi-millions. So be careful and work with a company that knows how to check if the land is contaminated and evaluate potential land redevelopment costs before you sign on the dotted line.
Contact the Most Experienced Florida Land Inspection Company – EPAC Inc.
At EPAC Inc., when we conduct assessments, our goal is not just to check a box on a financing form. We make sure you are protected from unexpected expenses, legal ramifications, and any construction delays.
With over 33 years of experience, we understand the environmental risks to every real estate transaction in Florida. We do the hard work – so you don’t have to.
Call us at (954) 974-7055 or contact us online to know more about how we can help you get the best environmental solutions.