Purchase price and depreciable basis
COST SEGREGATION STUDY PRICING
Reviewed August 17, 2026 · Updated for current federal bonus-depreciation guidance
Your fee should match the actual engineering scope.
A cost segregation study price depends on property value, building and parcel count, complexity, improvement history, available records, inspection needs and delivery timeline. Repeated units do not automatically create the same workload as unique tenant spaces.
- ✓ No study work before payment
- ✓ CPA-ready final report
- ✓ California statewide
WHY IT MATTERS
Move eligible basis into faster recovery periods.
Multifamily and strip-retail pricing currently starts at $7,999. Medical-office and self-storage pricing starts at $9,999 for a standard remote scope below $1 million of purchase price. Larger or more complex properties receive a written fixed-fee proposal before paid work begins.
Plain English: you are not creating a new deduction. You are identifying when supported pieces of the property may be depreciated.
WHAT WE REVIEW
The six main pricing drivers
Number of buildings, parcels and additions
Repeated versus unique units or suites
Specialty systems and tenant improvements
Quality of plans, photos and cost records
Physical inspection, rush and support scope
SHOW ME THE NUMBERS
Illustrative value comparison
Illustrative only. This assumes a 37% federal marginal rate where shown and that the owner can currently use the deduction.
- Property value
- $5,000,000
- Estimated depreciable basis
- $4,000,000
- Potential faster basis
- $600,000 to $1,200,000
- Potential upfront federal effect
- $222,000 to $444,000
- Study or comparison benchmark
- $5,000 to $15,000+
This is a timing illustration, not guaranteed permanent tax savings. California commonly requires a separate depreciation schedule because it generally does not conform to federal bonus depreciation.
DOES IT FIT?
Strong candidates usually have four things.
✓
The likely benefit exceeds the fixed fee
✓
Scope and deliverables are written clearly
✓
Technical reviewer credentials are disclosed
✓
CPA support and revisions are addressed
PORTFOLIO PRICING
More properties. Lower cost per study.
Order and pay for the properties together to receive a simple portfolio discount.
2 properties5% off3 to 4 properties10% off5+ properties15% off
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions.
What does a cost segregation study cost?+
Published market pricing varies widely by property type and scope. Our current starting prices are shown above, and every engagement receives a fixed proposal before paid work begins.
Does every apartment or storage unit add to the fee?+
No. Repeated layouts can be efficient. Unique suites, buildings, improvement packages and missing records usually affect workload more than the raw unit count.
Is the free estimate a completed study?+
No. It is an illustrative screen using the facts you provide. No engineering takeoff, professional certification or tax opinion is included. Technical work begins only after a signed and paid engagement.
Does my CPA need to approve the study first?+
No. It is smart to ask whether you can currently use additional depreciation, but the paid study does not require advance CPA approval. Your CPA makes the final filing decision.
Do you guarantee tax savings?+
No. A study accelerates the timing of eligible depreciation. Results depend on basis, property facts, placed-in-service dates, passive-loss rules, tax rates and the owner's filing position.
AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES
Reviewed against current IRS and California guidance.
Last reviewed August 17, 2026. Tax rules and procedures can change. Your CPA should confirm the law that applies to your acquisition date, placed-in-service date and return.
FREE PRELIMINARY PROPERTY SCREEN