The cost of ESA Phase 1 may depend on several factors, and if the quality is compromised, the costs may be reduced even further. The cost of ESA phase 1 varies between $ 1500 to a maximum of $6000 in most cases. When the facility is complex, the cost may be even higher. For most of the facilities, including commercial and vacant facilities, smaller industries, and commercial units, the cost is generally between $ 2000 to $ 4000. Competent, certified, and licensed ESA Phase 1 services can be hired at the above-provided costs. Some consultants may provide the service at even lower prices, but in these cases, the quality cannot be trusted. Genuine companies will charge this amount in most cases.
The Components of ESA Phase 1 Costs
ESA Phase 1 costs may depend on the project and may vary from one project to another. There are also several componentsmaking up these costs, which are listed and described below.
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Location
ESA Phase 1 involves reviewing the documents of the property. The documents and information may be obtained from the government offices and other courses. Now, for instance, if the property is at a seclusive location, there may not be much information available. Otherproperties close to the property may also have the same fate. Therefore, less time and effort are spent on sifting information related to the particular site, which will result in low costs.But if the property is located in the middle of a costly or an industrial area, heaps of data, documents, and information may be available for it, as some areas have records for the whole century! The more the paperwork, analysis, review, and evaluation involved, the more it will add to the cost of phase one environmental assessment.
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Travel Costs
The longer distances the ESA consultants and accessors have to travel, the more will be the cost. Therefore, if a consultant having head office at some distance is hired, it will add to the costs more when compared to hiring an ESA consultancy nearby. Also, if the documents and other information sources are readily available, less money would be spent on travel and conveyance during the assessment process. In these cases, costs will decrease.
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Number of Properties for ESA Assessment
When there are more properties up for assessment and review, the cost will increase. However, theconsultancy will gain from economies of scale, as the cost will spread. Also, when the consultancy is local, there won’t be much cost burden. Therefore, while the cost of ESA for multiple properties will increase, they would not be substantial when the firm chooses to provide a discount and to give back to the client some of the gains.
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Inclusion of non-scope items
The standards make it mandatory to include some items in ESA Phase 1. But if the client wants even more checks and assessments (also called non-scope items), the cost of ESA phase 1 will increase.
Lastly, the quality of services will also impact the cost. Hiring a reputed agency is, however, the best proposition as you would not have to spend again and again in the same area, and the reports and findings will also be accurate. ESA phase 1 reports are the basis on which it is decided whether or not to pursuephase ii environmental assessment. Hence the credibility and reliability of reports are highly relevant.
