Environmental Consulting

An environmental assessment is necessary for several reasons:

• Health Concerns: It helps identify potential environmental hazards, such as asbestos, mould, or lead, that could pose risks to human health, especially during renovations, demolition, or occupancy of a building.
• Renovations and Demolition: Prior to renovations or demolition, an environmental assessment ensures that any existing environmental hazards, such as asbestos-containing materials or lead-based paint, are identified and properly managed to protect workers and occupants.
• Compliance:Environmental assessments are often required to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and standards governing environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and land use planning.
• Risk Management: By assessing potential environmental risks and impacts, stakeholders can develop strategies to mitigate or manage these risks effectively, reducing liabilities and safeguarding human health and the environment.
• Due Diligence: Conducting an environmental assessment demonstrates due diligence and responsible stewardship, particularly for property owners, developers, and businesses involved in real estate transactions or property development projects.

The duration of an environmental assessment varies depending on the type and scope of the assessment, as well as the specific requirements of the project or activity. While some assessments may be completed within a few hours, others may take several days, weeks, or even months to complete.

For example, simple assessments, such as visual inspections for asbestos or mould in a small area, may be completed in just a couple of hours. However, more comprehensive assessments, designated substance surveys, typically require more time due to the need for collection, analysis, and reporting.

The cost of environmental assessments can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the scope and complexity of the project, the specific requirements of the assessment, the level of expertise and experience of the professionals involved, and the geographic location.

Simple assessments, such as visual inspections or basic sampling for common environmental hazards like asbestos or mould, may be relatively inexpensive. However, more comprehensive assessments typically require more resources and expertise.

It's important to consider that the costs associated with potential health effects or regulatory compliance orders can far outweigh the initial investment. Failing to identify and address environmental risks upfront can lead to costly remediation efforts, fines and project delays.