Disclaimer
SitePrior reports are screening tools, not engineering opinions of record.
What a SitePrior report is
A compilation of publicly available federal datasets (FEMA, USFWS, USDA, USGS, NOAA) for a single point or parcel, with plain-English commentary on what the data implies. The report identifies risks that warrant further investigation by a qualified professional.
What it is not
- Not a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. A Phase I ESA per ASTM E1527 must be performed by an Environmental Professional and includes records review, site reconnaissance, and interviews — none of which we conduct.
- Not a wetland delineation. Jurisdictional wetland boundaries can only be established by a qualified wetland scientist in the field, typically following USACE 1987 Manual procedures.
- Not a flood study. Site-specific flood elevations for permitting (e.g., LOMA, LOMR-F, elevation certificates) require a licensed surveyor or engineer.
- Not a geotechnical investigation. SSURGO is regional-scale soil survey data. Foundation design, septic suitability, and slope stability require a site-specific geotechnical study.
- Not a survey. Property boundaries, easements, encroachments, and improvements require a licensed land surveyor.
- Not legal or financial advice. Insurance requirements, lending decisions, and regulatory obligations should be confirmed with appropriate professionals.
Data accuracy
All data is sourced live from authoritative federal sources at the time the report is generated. SitePrior does not modify, correct, or interpolate underlying data values. Federal datasets have known limitations:
- FEMA NFHL is updated on a county-by-county basis and may not reflect the most recent flood study.
- SSURGO is mapped at scales of 1:12,000 to 1:63,360 and represents soil associations, not site-specific conditions.
- NWI mapping is based on aerial photo interpretation, generally with a minimum mapping unit of 0.5 to 5 acres.
- USGS 3DEP elevation has documented vertical accuracy of 10 cm RMSE in best areas, lower elsewhere.
- NOAA Atlas 14 partial-duration series have published confidence intervals.
Liability
SitePrior, LLC and its affiliates make no warranty, express or implied, as to the suitability of report contents for any particular purpose. Reliance on a SitePrior report for property purchase, design, permitting, or insurance decisions is at the user's sole risk. Maximum liability is limited to the price paid for the report.
When to retain a licensed professional
Always retain appropriate licensed professionals before:
- Closing on land you intend to develop
- Filing for any building, grading, or environmental permit
- Designing or constructing any structure
- Disputing a flood-zone determination with a lender or insurer
- Subdividing or rezoning property
Finding a state-licensed engineer in your state: our state-by-state directory links to the authoritative licensing-board, NSPE state-society, ASDSO dam-safety, and USACE district resources for every U.S. state. We don't take referral fees from any of these — they are the official sources.
Questions: hello@siteprior.com