Environmental Consulting Services
KOW Building Consultants provides environmental consulting services for lenders, developers, investors, and property owners involved in commercial real estate transactions. Our environmental due diligence reports help identify potential environmental risk before a property acquisition, refinance, construction loan, or redevelopment project moves forward.
As a national environmental consulting firm, KOW supports clients with Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, Environmental Transaction Screens, Desktop Reviews, HRD Reports, HRDR Reports, Custom Environmental Due Diligence, LBP Operations & Maintenance Plans, and Mold & Moisture Management Plans. Our team helps clients choose the right level of review based on the property type, lender requirements, timeline, and risk profile.
Environmental consulting is a core part of KOW Building Consultants’ broader due diligence platform, working alongside Property Condition Assessments, Construction Risk Management, Sustainability Services, and Construction Loan Monitoring.
-
Email: incoming@kowbc.com
-
Phone: (855) 966-5888
Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 8:00 pm EST
Environmental Due Diligence Services for Commercial Real Estate
Environmental due diligence is the process of evaluating a property for current or historical environmental concerns that could affect financing, ownership, development, or long-term asset value. For commercial real estate transactions, this review can help uncover issues related to hazardous substances, petroleum products, underground storage tanks, lead-based paint, mold, moisture, prior industrial use, nearby contamination, or regulatory listings.
KOW provides environmental consulting services for a wide range of commercial property types, including multifamily, office, industrial, retail, healthcare, hospitality, mixed-use, and institutional assets. Whether a client needs a full Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment or a limited environmental screen, our reports are designed to support clear decision-making.
Our environmental due diligence services may be used for:
-
Property acquisitions
-
Commercial loan underwriting
-
Refinancing
-
Construction lending
-
Portfolio reviews
-
Redevelopment projects
-
Internal risk screening
-
Agency or lender compliance
-
Pre-closing due diligence
For projects that also require physical asset review, KOW can coordinate environmental reporting with Property Condition Assessments to provide a more complete view of property risk. For active or planned construction projects, our environmental team can also coordinate with Construction Risk Management and Construction Loan Monitoring teams.
Why Environmental Consulting Matters Before a Property Transaction
Environmental issues can delay a closing, reduce property value, create lender concerns, or require further investigation before financing can proceed. A property may appear to be in good condition, but historical use, adjacent properties, regulatory records, or building materials can still create environmental risk.
A strong environmental consulting process helps answer important questions:
-
Has the property been used for industrial, automotive, dry cleaning, or manufacturing operations?
-
Are there underground storage tanks or petroleum concerns?
-
Do regulatory databases identify releases, cleanup sites, or environmental listings?
-
Could mold, moisture, or lead-based paint create operational risk?
-
Does the lender require a Phase 1 ESA, Environmental Transaction Screen, or Desktop Review?
-
Is further due diligence needed before closing?
KOW helps clients identify the right scope early, so they are not over-ordering reports or under-protecting their transaction. For lower-risk properties, an Environmental Transaction Screen or Desktop Review may be appropriate. For higher-risk properties or lender-driven due diligence, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is often the better fit.
Our Core Environmental Consulting Services
KOW offers a wide range of environmental consulting services for commercial real estate, lending, and development projects nationwide.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is one of the most common environmental due diligence reports used in commercial real estate. It evaluates current and historical property use to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions, also known as RECs.
KOW’s Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment services may include a site visit, historical research, regulatory database review, interviews, and a written report prepared for lenders, buyers, investors, or owners. These reports are commonly used during acquisitions, refinancing, construction loan underwriting, and redevelopment planning.
Environmental Transaction Screens
An Environmental Transaction Screen, also called a Transaction Screen Assessment, is a limited environmental due diligence report often used for lower-risk commercial properties. It is generally faster and more cost-effective than a full Phase 1 ESA, but it does not provide the same level of liability protection or historical investigation.
Environmental Transaction Screens can be useful when a lender, investor, or buyer wants an initial environmental risk review before deciding whether a full Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is needed. KOW uses these reports to help clients screen potential environmental concerns and determine the next appropriate step.
Desktop Reviews
A Desktop Review is a limited-scope environmental review that uses available records and data sources without a full site visit. It can include regulatory database research, aerial imagery review, historical records, property information, and nearby environmental listings.
Desktop Reviews are often used for early-stage underwriting, portfolio screening, internal risk review, or site selection. A Desktop Review does not replace a Phase 1 ESA when a lender or transaction requires full environmental due diligence, but it can help clients quickly understand whether a property presents obvious environmental concerns.
HRD Report
An HRD Report helps evaluate historical records and environmental database information to identify potential environmental concerns tied to a property or surrounding area. It is often used when a client needs more information than a basic search but does not yet require a full Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.
KOW may recommend an HRD Report for early transaction screening, internal risk review, or lender conversations where additional context is needed before ordering a more comprehensive environmental report.
HRDR Report
An HRDR Report provides a more detailed historical and regulatory review. It can help identify environmental red flags related to prior site use, nearby listings, regulatory records, adjoining properties, or past operations that may create risk.
For lenders, buyers, and investors, an HRDR Report can support better decision-making before committing to a full environmental scope. If the HRDR Report identifies concerns, KOW can recommend whether a Phase 1 ESA, Environmental Transaction Screen, or custom environmental review is appropriate.
Environmental Consulting Services Across the United States
KOW Building Consultants provides environmental consulting services nationwide, with teams supporting clients across major commercial real estate markets and regional development corridors.
Our environmental consulting services support projects in:
-
New York City and the Tri-State area
-
Boston and New England
-
Chicago and the Midwest
-
Austin and Central Texas
-
San Diego and Southern California
-
Denver and the Mountain West
-
Washington, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic
-
Florida, the Southeast, and additional national markets
For clients managing multi-market portfolios, KOW provides consistent reporting, standardized processes, and a single point of coordination across service lines. Visit our Locations page to connect with a KOW team near your project.
