Due Diligence Services

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

ESA assessments are performed in accordance with ASTM E 1527 standards for conducting such assessments and protocols provided by the client and/or lender.

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment includes the following:

• Site Investigation – We conduct a site visit to obtain visual evidence of the likelihood of the presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a threat of a release onto the property.
• Subject Property Use Research – Identified current and prior uses of the property.
• Adjoining Property Use Review – Review of the apparent current and prior use of all adjacent properties to assess the potential for migration of contaminants to the subject property.
• Environmental Records Review – Review of readily available public records and interviews to identify existing or potential sources of contamination.
• Physical Setting Review – General physical environmental features of the site.

Photographs shall be taken to show potentially significant environmental conditions.  Cost estimates for further investigation or remediation may be prepared.  Upon completion of the assessment, Criterium-Hardy Engineers shall furnish you a written report outlining evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the property and recommendations for future action (if any).

Cost Segregation Study

A Cost Segregation Study (CSS) is designed to provide a defensible document to support accelerated depreciation of real estate. The purpose is to reclassify 39-year assets to more tax-favorable asset classes with 5-, 7- or 15-year lives. By converting “brick and mortar” assets (depreciated in a straight-line method over 39 years) to “personal property” assets (depreciated on a double-declining basis over 5 years), the real estate owner receives earlier tax depreciation expenses, thereby improving the cash flow from the property. The benefits of a CSS are best measured in Net Present Value (NPV) savings. Typical examples of personal property include architectural millwork, electrical and plumbing supply to personal property, movable partitions, security systems, exhaust equipment, decorative lighting, emergency generators, land improvements, signage, wall and floor coverings and window treatments.

A CSS is most applicable to buildings that are newly acquired or newly built. Newly constructed buildings are ready candidates because material and construction costs have generally been calculated already. Recently acquired existing buildings are also good candidates if a significant amount of depreciation has not already been taken. Even after a few years, assets that should have been reclassified can be recaptured in the current tax year.

For any new construction or renovation projects we can provide draw request inspections, quality control inspections and project management services.

Construction monitoring is an accurate and positive way of checking the quality, accuracy and progress of a construction project. Our specialist teams will oversee all aspects of construction identified by your due diligence phase and provide reports, updates and advice to give you complete project control.

Areas to monitor include:

• the construction environment
• quality control
• timeliness and meeting targets
• negotiations, suppliers and supplier performance
• health & safety
• costings
• materials
• conformance with plans and specifications

Construction monitoring gives you a clear view of your project’s progress, and allows you to address problems before and as they arise. Using our global experience and expertise, we can help you to install and manage real-time monitoring systems to further enhance your project management.

Building collapses, foundation problems and other structural failures can cause enormous property damage. Determining the cause of these problems requires the understanding of proper structural design, construction methods, materials utilized and how they all interact in a structure.

Our structural engineers have years of experience with projects ranging from multi-story commercial structures to large petrochemical farms to chemical containment structures. They have worked on industrial, commercial and residential structures with concrete, steel, masonry and timber construction.

Their experience with structural design and hands-on construction management give them an exceptional understanding of the issues that can lead to problems and failures in structures.  Whether you need assistance before or during construction, after severe weather, or any time damage has been reported, Criterium-Hardy Engineers is ready to help.

Investigations can include:

• Basement Evaluation
• Building Construction Forensics
• Building Crack/Movement Evaluation
• Building Envelope Evaluation
• Building Pathology
• Building/Roof Collapse
• Construction Defects Evaluation
• Construction Vibration Damage
• Design Review
• Document Review
• Exterior Finish (EIFS) Evaluation
• Façade Evaluation
• Floor Evaluation
• Foundation Evaluation
• Hail Damage Evaluation
• Ice Dams Evaluation
• Retaining Wall Failure
• Roof Evaluation
• Structural Evaluation
• Truss/Rafter Evaluation