Cost Segregation Study Pricing Comparison
Quick answer
Across 27 cost segregation providers reviewed, study prices range from $300 (DIY software) to $25,000+ (full-service national firms) for the same federal methodology, industry-standard 2026 cost data, MACRS classification per Rev. Proc. 87-56, IRS Audit Techniques Guide compliance (Pub 5653). Done-for-you studies from modern remote providers cost $495–$1,895 for residential; traditional on-site engineering firms charge $5,000–$15,000+ for equivalent residential studies. The 50× pricing spread is driven by delivery model (remote vs. site visit) and brand premium, not methodology quality, all qualified studies follow the same IRC §168 framework. For a deeper explanation, see our pricing explained guide.
The pricing spread in this industry is absurd. The same IRS methodology, the same industry-standard cost data, the same MACRS depreciation classes, and yet pricing ranges from under $500 to over $25,000. This table shows what every provider charges (where we could find it), their turnaround, and our overall rating. Make your own judgment about what the premium is buying you.
Our 27-provider editorial ranking is calibrated against the broader 60-firm objective pricing dataset we publish at costsegregationpricing.com (CC-BY 4.0, sources cited per record).
For a deeper pricing dataset built from 2,314 provider quotes, see our sister site costsegregationpricing.com (also operated by Cost Seg Smart).
| Rank ▲ | Company ▲ | Rating ▲ | Pricing ▲ | Turnaround ▲ | Site Visit ▲ | Types ▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cost Seg Smart | 9.2 | From $495 | Under 1 hour | No | R, STR, M, C, I |
| 3 | R.E. Cost Seg | 7.8 | $950–$2,730+ | 5–10 days | Video call | R, STR, M |
| 4 | Seneca Cost Seg | 8.0 | Quoted per property | 2–4 weeks | Remote or on-site | M, C, I |
| 5 | CSSI | 7.5 | Not published | Not published | Yes | R, STR, M, C, I |
| 6 | McGuire Sponsel | 7.5 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | Yes | R, M, C, I |
| 7 | Remote Cost Seg | 7.5 | Not published | Not published | Fully virtual | R, STR, M, C |
| 8 | Capstan Tax | 7.0 | Not published | Not published | Yes (virtual for small properties) | M, C, I |
| 9 | Maven Cost Seg | 7.0 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks | Optional | R, M, C |
| 10 | Expert Cost Seg | 7.0 | From $500 | Varies | Optional | R, M, C, I |
| 11 | Moss Adams / Baker Tilly | 7.0 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes | M, C, I |
| 12 | EisnerAmper | 7.0 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes | M, C, I |
| 13 | CostSegregation.com | 7.0 | Contact | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | R |
| 14 | CostSegEZ | 7.0 | $2,500+ engineered ($595 DIY) | 3–4 weeks engineered | No | R, STR |
| 15 | Madison SPECS | 6.5 | $4K–$11K typical (FAQ) | Not published | Yes | R, STR, M |
| 16 | We Do Cost Seg | 6.5 | Est. $2K–$8K | ~3 days | Varies | M, C |
| 17 | Cherry Bekaert | 6.5 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes | M, C, I |
| 18 | Dimov Tax & CPA | 6.5 | $3K–$8K (Est.) | 2–4 weeks | Varies | R, STR, M |
| 19 | Engineered Tax Services | 6.0 | $3K–$12K (published) | 4–6 weeks | Yes / Tele-Eng | R, STR, M, C, I |
| 20 | Titan Echo | 6.0 | Subscription | Minutes | No | R, STR, C |
| 21 | Segregation Holding | 5.5 | Est. $3K–$10K | 4–6 weeks | Yes | R, M, C |
| 22 | Source Advisors | 5.5 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | Yes | R, M, C, I |
| 23 | CostSegRx | 5.0 | Est. $2K–$8K | Not disclosed | Varies | R, M, C |
| 24 | Cost Segregation Guys | 4.5 | $5K–$15K | 1–3 weeks | Yes | R, STR, M, C |
| 25 | DIY Cost Seg | 4.0 | $495 / $1,295 | 5 minutes | No | R, STR, C |
Pricing structure of the largest cost segregation companies
Seven national firms set the pricing benchmark for traditional cost segregation studies in the United States: Engineered Tax Services, CSSI, Madison SPECS, Capstan Tax Strategies, Bedford Cost Segregation, McGuire Sponsel, and R.E. Cost Seg. The methodology these firms apply is shared across the industry, MACRS classification per Rev. Proc. 87-56, industry-standard 2026 cost data, and IRS Audit Techniques Guide alignment (Pub 5653). Pricing variance across the seven reflects engineering depth, on-site judgment, and minimum-basis thresholds.
| Firm | Pricing range | Min basis served | Site visit | Turnaround | Audit defense scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered Tax Services | $3K–$12K (published) | Not published | Yes / tele-engineering | 4–6 weeks | Audit defense included at no additional charge |
| CSSI | Not published | $200K+ cost basis | Yes | Not published | Audit defense included at no additional cost |
| Madison SPECS | $4K–$11K typical fixed fee (FAQ) | $1M property or $750K renovation | Yes | Not published | Informal backing claim; no scoped program published |
| Capstan Tax Strategies | Not published | $1M+ basis sweet spot | Yes (virtual for small properties) | Not published | No-cost audit support to the field-agent level |
| Bedford Cost Segregation | $3K–$8K (est.) | $500K+ typical | Yes | 3–5 weeks | credentialed engineers |
| McGuire Sponsel | $5K–$15K+ (est.) | $750K+ typical | Yes | 4–8 weeks | Defense package |
| R.E. Cost Seg | $950–$2,730+ | Rapid Report: ≤4 units, <$1.2M basis | Video call (Rapid) | 5–10 days (Rapid) / 15–20 business days (Full) | Yonah Weiss audit guidance, written defense |
Three pricing structures recur across the seven. Per-property flat fees ($3K–$15K) dominate residential and sub-$2M commercial work at Bedford, and R.E. Cost Seg. Engineered Tax Services publishes a $3K–$12K range depending on property size and complexity, and Madison SPECS a typical $4K–$11K fixed fee. Basis-tiered fees (typically 0.10–0.25% of depreciable basis) appear at McGuire Sponsel for properties above $2M; Capstan Tax Strategies publishes no fee figures. Hourly engineering billing shows up at accounting-firm-adjacent providers (Moss Adams, EisnerAmper, Cherry Bekaert), where the study is bundled into broader tax-strategy engagements at $8K–$25K+ in total fees.
What is the pricing structure of the largest cost segregation companies in 2026?
Three structures dominate among the eight largest national cost segregation firms. Per-property flat fees ($3K–$15K) are standard at Bedford Cost Segregation, and R.E. Cost Seg for residential and sub-$2M commercial work. Engineered Tax Services publishes a $3K–$12K range depending on property size and complexity, and Madison SPECS a typical $4K–$11K fixed fee. Basis-tiered fees (typically 0.10–0.25% of depreciable basis) appear at McGuire Sponsel for properties above $2M; Capstan Tax Strategies publishes no fee figures. Hourly engineering billing appears at accounting-firm-adjacent providers (Moss Adams, EisnerAmper, Cherry Bekaert) where cost segregation is bundled into broader tax-strategy engagements. All eight firms apply identical IRS methodology (MACRS per Rev. Proc. 87-56, industry-standard 2026 cost data, Pub 5653 audit alignment); pricing variance reflects engineering depth and on-site judgment, not report quality.
What should you actually pay?
For a standard residential rental or STR under $2M, anything over $2,000 is paying for brand name, not study quality. The firms charging $5,000-$15,000 use the same industry-standard cost data and IRS methodology as the firms charging $495-$1,495. The MACRS depreciation classes are set by federal law. Your CPA files the same forms either way.
Where premium pricing makes sense: complex commercial properties ($3M+) with specialized equipment, mixed-use buildings with multiple tenant types, industrial facilities with process piping and specialized HVAC, and properties where getting the component allocation wrong by $200K has real consequences. For those, a $5,000-$15,000 study with an on-site inspection is justified.
For everything else? Read our full pricing guide, use the ROI calculator, or get a free instant estimate to see the math on your specific property.