Walden Associates regularly performs pre-purchase / presale environmental assessments following American Society of Testing & Material (ASTM) protocols for major financial institutions, private clients and attorneys. Walden audits address crucial management concerns related to whether a property can be purchased or sold without last minute constraints or unknown environmental problems arising that imply significant costs or can kill purchases completely. These audits include development of detailed site histories, directed interview of facility management, review of regulatory enforcement records, and detailed site walk-through inspections.

If necessary, an audit can be expanded to include sampling of both building components and surrounding environmental media to aid in remedial cost estimating (Phase II work). This audit approach requires experienced personnel familiar with similar facility operations and is significantly different than a checklist driven audits typical of audit
"mill" forms.