CSSI Review (2026)
Pricing, methodology, audit defense, and where this provider fits.
Editorial note: This review is published by Cost Seg Smart, which appears as a competitor on this site. Public-facing data only — pricing, methodology, and credentials reflect what the provider publishes. Pricing as of May 2026.
- Pricing
- Contact for quote
- Turnaround
- 2-4 weeks
- Methodology
- Engineering-based
- Site visit
- Optional
- CPA support
- CPA support included
- Guarantee
- Not publicly stated
- Property types
- Residential and commercial
- Founded
- 2003
Badge: Best for Mid-Size Properties
Pricing detail
Industry reports suggest $3,000-$5,000 residential. Website redirects multiple times — pricing not published.
Pricing reflects publicly advertised rates as of May 2026. Quotes for specific properties may differ. The same IRS-compliant methodology applies regardless of price tier — what changes is delivery, engineering depth, audit defense scope, and turnaround.
Methodology and process
CSSI uses engineering-based. All US cost segregation studies — including this one — must follow the engineering-based methodology described in the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide and apply MACRS classification per Rev. Proc. 87-56. The framework is set by federal law; what varies across providers is execution depth, documentation, and audit defense scope.
Property-type fit
CSSI works with residential and commercial. For investors evaluating providers by property type, our category rankings list commercial provider rankings and STR-focused providers.
Audit defense
CPA support: CPA support included. Guarantee: Not publicly stated. Audit defense scope varies materially across providers, ranging from explicit IRS representation to no defense beyond report delivery — see the scoring methodology for how we evaluate this dimension.
Pros
- Established firm with 20+ years in the market
- Flexible on site visit requirement
- Good mid-market option
Cons
- Pricing not published
- Website difficult to navigate (multiple redirects)
- Limited information available publicly
Verdict — who this is for
CSSI earns 7.8/10 in our scoring rubric. Best fit for commercial and multifamily owners who value engineering depth and traditional documentation. For investors comparing alternatives, the full 27-provider sortable table is on the homepage.
FAQ
How much does CSSI charge?
Industry reports suggest $3,000-$5,000 residential. Website redirects multiple times — pricing not published.
How long does a CSSI cost segregation study take?
Turnaround: 2-4 weeks. This is consistent with the 4–8 week traditional engineering benchmark.
Does CSSI require an on-site visit?
Optional. The IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (Pub 5653) does not require an on-site visit; it requires engineering-based methodology with documented support.
Pricing and operational details reflect public information as of May 2026. Provider corrections welcome via the submission form. This review is not legal, tax, or financial advice — confirm cost segregation suitability with your CPA before ordering a study.