By ESA Inspections · Updated September 2026
Quick answer
$5,000 – $30,000+
Estimated Southern California market range. Every property is different — call (855) 559-1099 for an exact quote.
Typical cost by property type
| Scope | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Limited soil-vapor survey | $5,000 – $10,000 | Common for former dry cleaners |
| Shallow soil borings (direct push) | $6,000 – $15,000 | Several borings, standard lab suite |
| Soil + grab groundwater | $12,000 – $30,000 | Deeper drilling, more analyses |
| UST geophysical survey | $1,500 – $4,000 | Often added to a Phase 2 |
| Monitoring wells / complex sites | $30,000 – $75,000+ | Permits, wells, multiple rounds |
What affects the cost
Number of borings and depth
Each boring adds drilling time; deeper groundwater in inland areas raises drilling costs.
Media sampled
Soil, soil vapor and groundwater each require different equipment and lab methods.
Laboratory analyses
VOCs, TPH, metals, pesticides and PFAS are priced per sample; PFAS and rush lab turnaround cost significantly more.
Access and utilities
Coring through concrete, limited-access rigs and private utility locating add cost.
Permits
County well and boring permits are required for many investigations and add fees and lead time.
Reporting needs
Agency-ready reports or data for escrow negotiation may require more detailed evaluation.
What's included
- ✓Sampling plan tailored to Phase 1 findings
- ✓Utility locating and field sampling
- ✓Certified laboratory analysis
- ✓Comparison to regulatory screening levels
- ✓Report with conclusions and recommendations
Common extra costs
- +Groundwater monitoring wells
- +Geophysical survey for USTs
- +PFAS or specialty analyses
- +Expedited laboratory turnaround
- +Additional delineation rounds
Southern California considerations
Many Southern California Phase 2 projects focus on chlorinated solvents at former dry cleaners, petroleum at former gas stations, and pesticide residues on former agricultural land in the Inland Empire, Ventura County and Imperial Valley.
Groundwater depth varies widely — shallow near the coast and in parts of Orange and Los Angeles Counties, much deeper in desert and inland valleys — and directly affects drilling cost.
How to get an accurate price and avoid surprises
- Share the full Phase 1 so the scope targets only the actual concerns.
- Ask whether a soil-vapor screen can answer the question before drilling for groundwater.
- Get a fixed-scope proposal that lists borings, depths and lab methods.
- Build lab turnaround into your escrow timeline to avoid rush fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Phase 2 ESA cost?
Most Phase 2 ESAs cost $5,000 to $30,000. Complex sites with monitoring wells can exceed $50,000.
Why is a Phase 2 more expensive than a Phase 1?
A Phase 2 involves drilling, field sampling and laboratory analysis, while a Phase 1 is records research and a site walk.
How long does a Phase 2 take?
Typically 3–6 weeks including permits, fieldwork and standard laboratory turnaround.
Who pays for a Phase 2?
It is negotiable. Buyers often pay, but sellers sometimes cover it to keep a deal moving, or the cost is shared.
Can a Phase 2 be done in one day?
Fieldwork for a limited scope is often completed in one day, but lab results and reporting take longer.
What if the Phase 2 finds contamination?
Results are compared to screening levels. Exceedances may lead to agency notification, more delineation or a Phase 3 cleanup plan.
Ready to schedule?
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment San Diego, CA
Soil, groundwater and soil-vapor sampling that confirms or rules out contamination flagged during a Phase I.
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