Environmental due diligence for commercial property investors

[Nick Roy]

I'm considering starting a business (as a sole proprietor) focusing on due diligence for commercial property transactions and I'd appreciate your input on how I should best market myself. I would be completing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments as required by the lenders, and also mold, lead, radon, and asbestos testing as other service options. I'm curious how you go about finding a due diligence consultant. Does the lender typically have a consultant already contracted with them or are they open to the buyer/seller providing their own? Is conflict of interest a big concern? In your experience, has low cost been a priority over quality/content of the Phase I?  Any thoughts on who I should be marketing to? My initial thoughts are small commercial lenders (credit unions), commercial realtors, real estate attorneys, commercial developers, and civil engineering firms. Anyone else I'm forgetting? Thank you very much for any input you could provide on your experience w/ due diligence.

Nick