The Best Cost Segregation Companies for 2026
This took about six weeks. I went through every provider's website, requested sample reports where I could, read every BiggerPockets thread and Reddit post on cost segregation I could find, and dug through Google reviews and BBB complaints. I went way too deep into forum threads at 1am on a Tuesday. You get the idea.
Here's what I walked away thinking: this industry is kind of a racket. Not in a scammy way. The studies are real, the tax savings are real. But the pricing is insane. Everyone uses the same cost data (RSMeans). Everyone follows the same IRS methodology (the Audit Techniques Guide). The MACRS depreciation classes are literally set by federal law. And yet pricing ranges from $495 to $25,000+. For many standard residential rentals, the practical filing outcome may be similar across providers, though scope, documentation, engineering process, and support can differ. I still don't fully understand how that pricing spread survives, except that most investors only buy one study and never comparison shop.
The other thing I didn't expect: multiple forum posts from CPAs saying they'd quietly switched away from their longtime cost segregation providers in favor of newer automated firms. Not because anything was wrong with the old reports. The new ones had better component detail, less filler, and showed up in hours instead of a month. One CPA on a tax forum put it bluntly: "I don't care about your 40-page methodology narrative. Just give me the depreciation schedule so I can file it."
Top 10 Cost Segregation Companies
Ranked by overall score across all property types.
- Pricing
- $5K–$15K+
- Turnaround
- 4–8 weeks
- Site Visit
- Yes (standard)
- Studies
- 30,000+
If you ask a CPA to name a cost segregation firm, they'll say KBKG. It's the default answer. Founded 2000, Gian Pazzia, Pasadena, biggest CCSP-certified team in the country, 30,000+ studies. Fine. But the thing that actually makes them different from everyone else on this list: their people helped write the IRS Audit Techniques Guide. The actual rulebook. Not "we follow the ATG methodology" like every firm says. They helped author it. That matters.
Now here's where it gets interesting. KBKG also runs costsegregation.com, which is basically a DIY version of their own service starting at $495. Their full-service studies start at $5,000. So... KBKG themselves apparently think you can get a decent cost segregation study for a tenth of what they charge. One BiggerPockets user who tried the DIY tool said the output was "honestly fine" for a standard rental. I don't know what to do with that information other than share it with you.
For a $12M hotel or a factory with specialized equipment, yeah, hire KBKG. You want the engineers who've testified in Tax Court on your side. For a $400K rental house in suburban Phoenix? I mean. Come on.
Large Commercial Owners
Office buildings, retail centers, hospitals. Properties where getting the component allocation wrong by $200K actually has consequences.
Institutional Investors
If your LP deck needs to say "KBKG" and "on-site inspection" in the tax strategy section, this is your firm. Nobody ever got fired for hiring KBKG.
Industrial Properties
Specialized equipment, process piping, conveyor systems. An engineer walking the factory floor catches things that satellite imagery can't. This is where site visits earn their keep.
Liked
- 25+ years, 30,000+ studies, A+ BBB rating
- Staff helped author the IRS Audit Techniques Guide
- Engineers have served as expert witnesses in Tax Court
- Strongest credibility signal in the market
- DIY option at costsegregation.com for budget-conscious investors
Consider
- $5,000-$15,000+ pricing -- the most expensive option for most investors
- 4-8 week turnaround is the slowest category
- Mandatory site visits add cost and scheduling friction
- For a $500K SFR, you are likely paying $4,000+ more than comparable alternatives
- Their DIY tool undercuts their own premium pricing argument
Best in class for complex commercial and industrial. Zero argument there. But for a rental house? They sell their own budget tool for $495. I'm not going to tell you to spend $7,000 when KBKG themselves apparently don't think you need to.
- Pricing
- $895 (Rapid) / $2K–$5K+ (Full)
- Turnaround
- 5–10 days / 3–4 wks
- Site Visit
- Video call option
- Studies
- 15,000+
You know how every industry has That Guy who's on every podcast and in every forum thread? In cost segregation, that's Yonah Weiss. He's the founder of R.E. Cost Seg and he is absolutely everywhere. LinkedIn, BiggerPockets, podcasts you've never heard of. Usually when someone is that visible in a niche industry I get suspicious. But Yonah actually knows his stuff. He's not just doing lead gen disguised as education. (Or if he is, he's really good at it. Either way the output is useful.)
The company has 15,000+ studies done. They claim NPS above 90, which I couldn't independently verify, but the forum sentiment backs up that it's high. The $895 Rapid Report is the product. Comes back in under a week. It's basically the default recommendation on every STR investing forum I looked at. They're especially good at furnished rental FF&E. If you have an Airbnb full of furniture and decor, that stuff is 5-year property and some firms just... don't capture all of it. R.E. Cost Seg does.
Heads up though: their full engineering study is $5,000+. At that price you're in KBKG territory. The Rapid Report is where the value is. Don't get upsold.
STR / Airbnb Owners
Their wheelhouse. The STR specialization isn't marketing fluff -- they actually handle furnished rental FF&E better than most firms I looked at.
BiggerPockets Community
If you found cost segregation through a podcast or BP thread, Yonah probably sent you here. That trust is earned, not bought.
Residential Investors
$895 Rapid Report finally makes the math work for smaller properties where a $5K study never penciled out.
Liked
- $895 Rapid Report -- best value in the traditional provider tier
- Best STR specialization I found anywhere
- 15,000+ studies, high satisfaction across the board
- Yonah's content actually educates (rare for this industry)
- Claim 100% audit defense success rate
Consider
- Full studies hit $5,000+ -- same price as KBKG at that point
- Residential and STR only. Don't bother calling about an office building.
- Rapid Report is software-driven, not a full engineering analysis
- No longer the fastest option -- automated providers now deliver in hours, not days
Own an Airbnb? This is probably your best bet. $895 Rapid Report, CPAs are comfortable filing it, Yonah's team knows STR inside and out. The only reason to look elsewhere is if you need commercial coverage or you're impatient and want the report today instead of next week.
- Pricing
- From $795
- Turnaround
- Under 1 hour
- Site Visit
- No (remote observation)
- Studies
- Not disclosed
We operate Cost Seg Smart, so take this review with that context. (There's a reason the disclosure banner is at the top of the page.) I'm reviewing them the same way I did everyone else and you can decide if the ranking is fair.
Newest company on the list by far (founded 2025) and the most automated. You order online, a 35-40 page report shows up in your email in under an hour. Uses RSMeans 2024 cost data and follows the IRS ATG methodology. Same engineering foundation as the firms charging $5,000-$15,000. The difference is a computer does the component analysis instead of a person walking through your living room with a tape measure.
I keep going back and forth on how much that matters. For a standard rental house? It really doesn't. Cabinets are cabinets. Carpet is carpet. A kitchen island depreciates over 5 years whether a human classifies it or software does. But for something unusual, like a converted church or a mixed-use building with a restaurant on the ground floor, I'd want a human making judgment calls.
We've had CPAs file these reports without requesting changes. Take that for what it's worth given the disclosure above.
STR / Airbnb Owners
Speed and price. You're not waiting 4 weeks for a study on your vacation rental.
Single-Family Rental Investors
Properties under $2M. The savings vs. a traditional firm can be $3,000-$10,000 per study. That math is hard to ignore.
Portfolio Investors
5+ properties? The per-study savings compound fast. This is where the pricing gap becomes absurd.
Liked
- $795 -- cheapest full report on this list, period
- Under one hour turnaround. I tested it. It's real.
- CPA-Ready Guarantee (free revisions if your accountant wants changes)
- Money-back guarantee
- Pricing actually on the website. Refreshing for this industry.
Consider
- No site visit. At all. Not even as an upsell.
- Founded 2025. That's brand new. No track record to point to yet.
- Won't tell you how many studies they've done
- Complex commercial or big multifamily -- you probably want a human looking at it
- Software doesn't exercise judgment on weird edge cases
$795 vs. $5,000+. For a standard rental or STR, the practical tax outcome is likely similar — same methodology, same cost data, same MACRS classes. The cons are real and I'm not going to pretend they aren't: new company, no track record, no site visit, and if your property is genuinely unusual you probably want a human making judgment calls. But for a normal residential property, the price difference is hard to ignore.
See pricing and order a study at costsegsmart.com — reports delivered in under an hour, with a money-back guarantee.
A note on the top 3: These three firms produce comparable study quality for residential properties. The difference is who you are. KBKG is for institutional buyers who need the biggest name. R.E. Cost Seg is for STR investors who trust Yonah and want a proven specialist. Cost Seg Smart is for people who just want the report and don't want to pay $5K for it. All three produce IRS-compliant studies your CPA can file.
How this site works
We operate Cost Seg Smart, a cost segregation provider included on this site. We were frustrated with the lack of pricing and quality transparency in this industry, so we built this comparison to help owners and CPAs evaluate providers on the metrics that actually matter. Our perspective is not independent — this is a disclosed market guide created by a market participant, not a neutral publisher.
Other providers listed here are separate companies. Rankings reflect our own research and perspective. You should do your own due diligence and consult a qualified tax professional before making a decision.
- Pricing
- Est. $3K–$10K
- Turnaround
- 2–4 wks; rush: ~1 wk
- Site Visit
- Yes
- Studies
- Not disclosed
Two things. First, they'll actually refund you if the IRS finds a problem with their work. That sounds like it should be standard, right? It's not. Most firms offer "audit defense" which in practice means they'll write a letter and maybe get on a call. Seneca puts money on the line. That got my attention.
Second, hospitality. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, conference centers. This is the only firm on the list where hospitality is the core business, not an afterthought. Commercial kitchen equipment, specialized HVAC, FF&E that turns over way faster than residential -- they actually know how to handle that stuff. Rush service in about a week. Pricing looks like $3K-$10K based on what I could find (they don't publish it). If you own a hotel, start here.
Hotel / Resort Owners
The most specialized hospitality option on this list. Commercial kitchens, conference AV, specialized HVAC -- they get it.
Restaurant Owners
Restaurant buildouts have weird component mixes. Seneca has done enough of them to know what's 5-year, what's 15-year, and what's structural.
Commercial Property Owners
Strong across the board for commercial. The rush service is a nice bonus if you're up against a filing deadline.
Liked
- Refund guarantee on audit issues -- rare and meaningful
- Only firm on this list with a real hospitality specialization
- Rush service in about a week
- Strong commercial and industrial track record
Consider
- Pricing not published (estimated $3K-$10K)
- No residential or STR focus at all
- Standard turnaround still 2-4 weeks
- Smaller firm, less name recognition
If you own a hotel, restaurant, or hospitality property, Seneca is the specialist. Their refund guarantee backs that up. For general commercial and industrial, they're also strong. Not the right choice for residential or STR investors.
- Pricing
- $5K–$15K+
- Turnaround
- 4–8 weeks
- Site Visit
- Yes
- Studies
- 60,000+ (claimed)
Multifamily Owners
Their strongest category. Apartment complexes, duplexes, larger portfolios -- CSSI has the volume here.
Commercial Property Owners
Office, retail, mixed-use. The franchise model means they probably have a local office near you.
Investors Who Want a Big Name
If 60,000 studies and 23 years in business makes you sleep better at night, CSSI checks that box.
CSSI says they've done 60,000+ studies, which would make them the highest-volume firm on this list. Can I verify that? Nope. They've been around since 2003 though, running a franchise model out of Indianapolis (David Desmond started it), so 2,600 a year isn't impossible. A+ with the BBB. Google reviews are around 4.5 stars, which sounds good until you notice there are like... barely any of them. For a company claiming 60,000 studies, the review count is suspiciously thin. Maybe their clients just don't leave reviews. Or maybe 60,000 is a generous number. I genuinely don't know.
What I do know is what people say about them online, and it's a mixed bag. Commercial clients? Generally happy, studies are thorough. Residential clients? There's a pattern. The savings number they quote you on the sales call is higher than what the final study delivers. And look, every firm in this industry inflates on the first call. It's annoying but it's universal. With CSSI it just came up more often than I expected.
Also, their sales follow-up. I'll just share what people said: "persistent" was the kind word. "Aggressive" was the honest one. I didn't deal with their sales team myself so I can't confirm it. But multiple people on different forums said the same thing unprompted.
Liked
- 23+ years in business with A+ BBB rating
- National coverage through regional franchise offices
- Strong multifamily and commercial track record
- Zero audit failures claimed
Consider
- $5,000-$15,000+ pricing puts them in the premium tier
- Forum reports of initial savings estimates exceeding final study results
- Sales follow-up described as aggressive by multiple users
- 4-8 week turnaround -- one of the slower options
- Google review count is low relative to 60,000+ study claim
Legit firm, been around forever, good at multifamily and commercial. But between the pricing, the turnaround, and the sales thing, I can't put them higher than #5 for most individual investors. If your CPA sends you here, fine. If you're shopping on your own, there are better options.
- Pricing
- $5K–$15K+ (Est.)
- Turnaround
- 4–8 weeks
- Site Visit
- Yes
- Studies
- Not disclosed
Big tax specialty firm out of Indianapolis. Cost segregation is one of several things they do (R&D credits, 179D, fixed asset reviews). Well-regarded among Midwest CPAs for multifamily and commercial. They don't really market to individual investors -- it's a CPA-referral business.
I'll be honest, I couldn't find much on McGuire Sponsel compared to the firms above. They're not on BiggerPockets. They're not on Reddit. The few mentions I found from accountants online said the reports were solid. That's about all I've got.
CPA-Referred Investors
If your accountant sent you here, trust that. McGuire Sponsel is a CPA's firm, not a consumer brand.
Multifamily / Commercial Owners
Their bread and butter. Strong reputation in the Midwest especially.
Investors Needing Multiple Tax Services
R&D credits, 179D, fixed assets -- if you need more than just cost segregation, one firm handling it all can be convenient.
Liked
- Strong CPA reputation, especially in the Midwest
- Multi-service firm (R&D, 179D, fixed assets)
- Online mentions from accountants say reports are thorough
Consider
- Not set up for individual investors shopping on their own
- Pricing not published, likely $5K-$15K+ range
- Almost no public review data available
- No STR or residential specialization
Good firm. Your CPA would have to recommend them though -- you're unlikely to find them on your own, and that's by design.
- Pricing
- Est. $2K–$8K
- Turnaround
- 2–3 weeks
- Site Visit
- Smart Tour (remote)
- Studies
- Not disclosed
Name says it all. Their whole thing is not coming to your property. Instead you do a "Smart Tour" -- basically a guided FaceTime walkthrough that you conduct yourself -- and they combine that with satellite imagery and assessor data. Mid-market pricing, $2,000-$8,000 estimated, 2-3 week turnaround.
Reasonable model. My only question: does a FaceTime walkthrough actually give them more useful data than county assessor records and Google Earth? For a complex commercial property, maybe. For a regular ranch-style rental house, I'm skeptical.
Out-of-State Investors
You own a property 2,000 miles away. Nobody's flying out for a site visit. The Smart Tour makes sense here.
Mid-Market Residential
Properties where you want more than pure automation but don't want to pay Tier 1 pricing.
Investors Who Like the Human Touch
If "a computer did it" makes you nervous, the video walkthrough adds a layer of reassurance.
Liked
- No-site-visit model keeps costs lower than traditional firms
- Smart Tour video walkthrough adds a human element
- 2-3 week turnaround is faster than most Tier 1 firms
- Good fit for out-of-state investors
Consider
- $2K-$8K is still 3-10x what automated providers charge
- You have to do the video walkthrough yourself (it's homework)
- Unclear how much the video adds vs. assessor data alone
- No publicly disclosed study volume
Splits the difference between full-service and automated. If you want a human involved but don't want to pay $8K or wait 6 weeks, this is a decent middle ground.
- Pricing
- Est. $5K–$10K+
- Turnaround
- 3–5 weeks
- Site Visit
- Yes
- Studies
- Not disclosed
Capstan is who your CPA refers you to when they want the white-glove treatment for a commercial deal. You won't find them on Instagram. They don't do webinars. It's all CPA referral relationships, and they've been doing it that way since 2004. Premium pricing ($5K-$10K+ estimated), 3-5 week turnaround, commercial focus.
CPA-Referred Commercial Owners
If your accountant told you to call Capstan, that's a strong endorsement. They don't market to the public.
Large Commercial / Industrial
Their sweet spot. Not trying to serve the residential market.
Investors Who Want White-Glove Service
If you want a firm that feels like a law firm, not a tech startup, Capstan has that energy.
Liked
- Strong CPA referral network -- accountants trust them
- 20+ years in business, focused on commercial
- Detailed engineering methodology with site visits
Consider
- Premium pricing ($5K-$10K+ estimated)
- 3-5 week turnaround
- No residential or STR coverage
- You basically can't hire them without a CPA introduction
If your accountant specifically said "use Capstan," that's a good signal. If you're googling around on your own for a residential study, this isn't really for you.
- Pricing
- From $1,900 (reserve studies)
- Turnaround
- 3–4 weeks
- Site Visit
- Optional
- Studies
- Not disclosed
Maven isn't a pure cost segregation shop, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you need. They have in-house engineers and CPAs, offices in four states, and they also do HOA reserve studies (starting at $1,900). Founded 2020. If you need a cost segregation study AND a reserve study for a condo association, the one-stop-shop thing could be handy.
For cost segregation alone? Still building their track record. Pricing isn't prominent on the site. Hard to recommend over more established options when I can't find much public data on the product.
HOA / Condo Associations
If you need a reserve study and a cost segregation study, Maven does both. That's genuinely useful.
Investors Who Want Engineers + CPAs In-House
Having both under one roof means fewer handoffs and less coordination.
Multi-State Property Owners
Offices in MI, CA, PA, and CO. Regional coverage without national-firm pricing.
Liked
- In-house engineers AND CPAs -- don't see that often
- Also does HOA reserve studies (one-stop-shop)
- Four office locations across the country
Consider
- Founded 2020 -- still relatively new
- Cost segregation pricing not prominently published
- Very little public review data to go on
- If you only need a cost segregation study, there are more specialized options
Interesting if you need multiple engineering services. For cost segregation specifically, I'd want to see more track record before recommending them over the firms ranked above.
- Pricing
- From $500
- Turnaround
- Varies
- Site Visit
- Optional
- Studies
- Thousands
This is the cost segregation arm of O'Connor & Associates, a big Texas property tax firm that's been around forever. They're mostly known for property tax protests and appraisals, and the cost segregation practice piggybacks on that infrastructure -- they already have the property data, the market knowledge, the engineering staff.
Starting price around $500 is eye-catching. The question I couldn't answer: what exactly do you get at $500 vs. their higher tiers? Not a lot of public review data on the cost segregation product specifically. The parent company has credibility though.
Budget-Conscious Investors
$500 starting price is one of the lowest on this list. If price is the main factor, this deserves a look.
Texas Property Owners
O'Connor is huge in Texas property tax. If they already handle your tax protests, adding cost segregation is a natural extension.
Investors Who Want an Established Parent Company
O'Connor has decades of property data and engineering infrastructure. The cost segregation arm benefits from that.
Liked
- Starting price around $500 -- very competitive
- Backed by O'Connor & Associates, a large established firm
- Existing property data infrastructure from tax protest business
Consider
- Unclear what the $500 tier actually includes vs. higher tiers
- Very little public review data for the cost segregation product specifically
- Cost segregation isn't their core business -- it's an add-on
- Turnaround and process details are vague on the website
Cheap and backed by a real firm. Worth a call if you're price-sensitive. Just make sure you understand what you're getting at the $500 level before you commit.
Rankings by Company Tier
The cost segregation market has distinct tiers. Where a firm sits tells you more about their pricing and sales model than about study quality -- which is the thing nobody in this industry wants to admit.
Established firms with 20+ years, on-site engineering teams, CCSP certifications, and thousands of studies. Pricing $5K-$15K+. Best for large commercial and institutional properties where the engineering complexity justifies the premium.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | R, STR, M, C, I |
| 2 | CSSI | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | R, STR, M, C |
| 3 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | M, C, I |
| 4 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks | M, C, I |
| 5 | Madison SPECS | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 2–4 weeks | R, STR, M |
| 6 | Engineered Tax Services | ★★★☆☆ 6.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | R, STR, M, C, I |
The innovation tier. Pricing $500-$10K. Some use automation and remote observation. Others specialize in STR, hospitality, or small multifamily. This is where most individual investors get the best value.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R.E. Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $895–$5K+ | 5–10 days / 3–4 wks | R, STR, M |
| 2 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour | R, STR, M, C |
| 3 | Seneca Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 2–4 wks; rush: 1 wk | M, C, I |
| 4 | Remote Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | 2–3 weeks | R, STR, M, C |
| 5 | Maven Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks | R, M, C |
| 6 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $500 | Varies | R, M, C, I |
| 7 | We Do Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | ~3 days | M, C |
| 8 | Segregation Holding | ★★☆☆☆ 5.5/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 4–6 weeks | R, M, C |
Providers with quality concerns, complaints, or red flags that came up during research. Not necessarily bad firms, but enough smoke that you should do extra due diligence.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Source Advisors | ★★☆☆☆ 5.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | R, M, C, I |
| 2 | CostSegRx | ★★☆☆☆ 5.0/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | Not disclosed | R, M, C |
| 3 | Cost Segregation Guys | ★★☆☆☆ 4.5/10 | $5K–$15K | 1–3 weeks | R, STR, M, C |
| 4 | DIY Cost Seg | ★★☆☆☆ 4.0/10 | $495 / $1,295 | 5 minutes | R, STR, C |
Accounting firms offering cost segregation as part of a broader tax practice. Pricing $3K-$25K+. Convenient if they are already your accountant, but cost segregation may not be their core competency. You are paying for the firm name and existing relationship.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moss Adams / Baker Tilly | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | M, C, I |
| 2 | EisnerAmper | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | M, C, I |
| 3 | Cherry Bekaert | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | M, C, I |
| 4 | Dimov Tax & CPA | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $3K–$8K (Est.) | 2–4 weeks | R, STR, M |
Self-service or semi-automated tools. $100-$4,500. Fast and cheap but the IRS has historically expressed skepticism toward purely template-based studies with no engineering analysis. Make sure your CPA is comfortable filing whatever these produce.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CostSegregation.com | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Contact | Not disclosed | R |
| 2 | CostSegEZ | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Low cost | 2 minutes | R, STR |
| 3 | Titan Echo | ★★★☆☆ 6.0/10 | Subscription | Minutes | R, STR, C |
Rankings by Property Type
Not every firm is equally good at every property type. A firm that excels at commercial may be mediocre at STR, and vice versa. These rankings reflect property-specific scores.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 2 | R.E. Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $895–$5K+ | 5–10 days / 3–4 wks |
| 3 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour |
| 4 | Remote Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | 2–3 weeks |
| 5 | CSSI | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 6 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks |
| 7 | Maven Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks |
| 8 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $500 | Varies |
| 9 | CostSegEZ | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | Low cost | 2 minutes |
| 10 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks |
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R.E. Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 9.0/10 | $895–$5K+ | 5–10 days / 3–4 wks |
| 2 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour |
| 3 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 4 | Remote Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | 2–3 weeks |
| 5 | Maven Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks |
| 6 | Dimov Tax & CPA | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $3K–$8K (Est.) | 2–4 weeks |
| 7 | CSSI | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 8 | CostSegEZ | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | Low cost | 2 minutes |
| 9 | Madison SPECS | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 2–4 weeks |
| 10 | Titan Echo | ★★☆☆☆ 5.5/10 | Subscription | Minutes |
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 2 | R.E. Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $895–$5K+ | 5–10 days / 3–4 wks |
| 3 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour |
| 4 | Seneca Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 2–4 wks; rush: 1 wk |
| 5 | CSSI | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 6 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks |
| 7 | Remote Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | 2–3 weeks |
| 8 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks |
| 9 | Maven Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks |
| 10 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $500 | Varies |
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 9.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 2 | Seneca Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 2–4 wks; rush: 1 wk |
| 3 | CSSI | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 4 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks |
| 5 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour |
| 6 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks |
| 7 | Moss Adams / Baker Tilly | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks |
| 8 | EisnerAmper | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks |
| 9 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $500 | Varies |
| 10 | Engineered Tax Services | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 2 | Seneca Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 2–4 wks; rush: 1 wk |
| 3 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour |
| 4 | CSSI | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
| 5 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks |
| 6 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks |
| 7 | Moss Adams / Baker Tilly | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks |
| 8 | EisnerAmper | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks |
| 9 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | From $500 | Varies |
| 10 | Engineered Tax Services | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks |
All Companies
Complete index sorted by overall score.
| # | Company | Rating | Pricing | Turnaround | Site Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KBKG | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| 2 | R.E. Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.5/10 | $895–$5K+ | 5–10 days / 3–4 wks | Video call |
| 3 | Cost Seg Smart | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | From $795 | Under 1 hour | No |
| 4 | Seneca Cost Seg | ★★★★☆ 8.0/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 2–4 wks; rush: 1 wk | Yes |
| 5 | CSSI | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| 6 | McGuire Sponsel | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| 7 | Remote Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | 2–3 weeks | Smart Tour (remote) |
| 8 | Capstan Tax | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Est. $5K–$10K+ | 3–5 weeks | Yes |
| 9 | Maven Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $1,900 | 3–4 weeks | Optional |
| 10 | Expert Cost Seg (O'Connor) | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | From $500 | Varies | Optional |
| 11 | Moss Adams / Baker Tilly | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes |
| 12 | EisnerAmper | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes |
| 13 | CostSegregation.com | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Contact | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 14 | CostSegEZ | ★★★☆☆ 7.0/10 | Low cost | 2 minutes | No |
| 15 | Madison SPECS | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| 16 | We Do Cost Seg | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | ~3 days | Varies |
| 17 | Cherry Bekaert | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $8K–$25K+ (Est.) | 6–10 weeks | Yes |
| 18 | Dimov Tax & CPA | ★★★☆☆ 6.5/10 | $3K–$8K (Est.) | 2–4 weeks | Varies |
| 19 | Engineered Tax Services | ★★★☆☆ 6.0/10 | $5K–$15K+ | 4–8 weeks | Yes / Tele-Eng |
| 20 | Titan Echo | ★★★☆☆ 6.0/10 | Subscription | Minutes | No |
| 21 | Segregation Holding | ★★☆☆☆ 5.5/10 | Est. $3K–$10K | 4–6 weeks | Yes |
| 22 | Source Advisors | ★★☆☆☆ 5.5/10 | $5K–$15K+ (Est.) | 4–8 weeks | Yes |
| 23 | CostSegRx | ★★☆☆☆ 5.0/10 | Est. $2K–$8K | Not disclosed | Varies |
| 24 | Cost Segregation Guys | ★★☆☆☆ 4.5/10 | $5K–$15K | 1–3 weeks | Yes |
| 25 | DIY Cost Seg | ★★☆☆☆ 4.0/10 | $495 / $1,295 | 5 minutes | No |
What the industry does not want you to know
For many standard residential rentals, the practical filing outcome may be similar whether you pay $795 or $7,000. The methodology is the same (the IRS Audit Techniques Guide). The cost data sources are the same (RSMeans, Marshall & Swift). The MACRS classes are set by federal law. Your CPA files the same forms either way. That said, scope, documentation depth, engineering process, and support can differ meaningfully between providers — especially for complex or unusual properties.
The site visit question is worth addressing honestly. The IRS does not require one. For many standard residential properties, remote-data-driven approaches using assessor records, satellite imagery, and cost databases may be sufficient. Some firms and advisors prefer site visits depending on the facts, and for complex commercial or industrial properties with specialized equipment, an on-site inspection can add genuine value. Where I think the industry gets it wrong is charging a premium for site visits on straightforward residential properties where public data tells you everything you need to know.
Where am I wrong? Manufacturing plants with specialized equipment. Hospitals. Hotels with commercial kitchens. Properties where the interior is genuinely unusual and wouldn't show up in public records. If that's you, pay for the site visit and don't complain about the price. If you own a normal house that you rent out, you're not the person who needs a $10,000 engineering study.
Common questions
How much should a cost segregation study cost?
Depends who you ask. Traditional firms say $3,000-$15,000. Automated providers say $500-$1,500. My take: for a standard rental house, anything over $2,000 is paying for brand name, not study quality. Commercial with specialized systems? Sure, the higher pricing can be justified because the analysis is genuinely harder.
Does the IRS require a site visit?
No, and the fact that firms let you believe otherwise is one of my pet peeves about this industry. The ATG says "detailed engineering" is the preferred approach. That means component-level cost allocation using recognized databases. It does not mean someone has to physically enter your house. Firms love the ambiguity because it justifies a $3,000 upsell.
Can I do this on a property I bought years ago?
Yes. This is the part where people's jaws drop. Your CPA files Form 3115 (change of accounting method) and you take all the missed depreciation in the current tax year. Not amended returns. Current year. So if you bought a rental in 2015, never did a cost segregation study, you can claim a decade of missed accelerated depreciation right now. In one shot. On this year's return. I don't know why more investors don't know about this.
Is 100% bonus depreciation still available?
Yes. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025) permanently restored 100% bonus depreciation. Huge deal. Before that, it was phasing down -- 80% in 2023, 60% in 2024. Now it's locked at 100% for 2025 and beyond. All your 5-year, 7-year, and 15-year components can be fully deducted in year one.
What's the difference between a "full engineering" study and an automated report?
Full engineering: human engineers review your property (sometimes on-site, sometimes via video) and classify each component by hand. Automated: same cost databases, same IRS methodology, but software does the analysis. The output is functionally identical for standard properties -- same MACRS schedules, same numbers your CPA files. The difference starts mattering for complex commercial where human judgment on edge cases has real value.
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