Property-first provider comparisons
Cost Seg Smart vs Stratum Cost Segregation: Pricing & Scope
Compare Cost Seg Smart and Stratum on published services, property-specific study scope, fee questions, report deliverables and CPA coordination.
Published by Stratum Cost Segregation, a provider discussed here. This is a commercial comparison, not an independent ranking or customer review. Provider names belong to their respective owners; no competitor affiliation is implied.
$1 per square foot$2,000 minimum per property
Compare two written study proposals
Cost Seg Smart or Stratum?
You want a convenient report but need to understand the inputs, review process, and reporting support before purchase.
Your decision
Ask how unusual property features, renovations, and incomplete records are handled.
Cost Seg Smart official service information — researched 2026-10-13.
Stratum’s published study fee
$1 per square foot. $2,000 minimum per property.
Each property in a portfolio uses the same rate and minimum. Confirm measurements, evidence collection and report deliverables in the engagement.
Book a Cost Seg Discovery CallWhere Cost Seg Smart may fit
Publishes property-specific cost segregation reports with CPA coordination and written support.
Owners considering a digital study workflow. Ask how unusual property features, renovations, and incomplete records are handled.
Cost Seg Smart markets a complete service, not just software. Its published materials distinguish residential, STR and commercial offerings and separately available Form 3115 preparation. Compare the actual property tier, review process and filing responsibilities rather than assuming an online order is an unreviewed report.
Where Stratum may fit
Stratum’s property paths cover commercial buildings, multifamily, small rentals and STRs. Confirm capacity and the assigned technical team for your actual building. Stratum cost segregation studies cost $1 per square foot, with a $2,000 minimum per property. Confirm the written scope for your building. Confirm property eligibility, exclusions and current terms on the pricing page. AE’s broader planning or return services require their own agreed scope.
| Decision | Cost Seg Smart | Stratum + AE |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Owners considering a digital study workflow | Rental-property study with a discovery discussion hosted by AE Tax Advisors. |
| Written deliverable | Who reviews the property facts behind the generated report? | Confirm component schedule, methodology, basis reconciliation and CPA handoff. |
| Price comparison | Request the current property-specific fee and all review or filing costs. | Published study pricing; confirm separately scoped advisory and filing work. |
| Owner-level tax review | Ask whether it is included or handled by your existing adviser. | Discuss broader strategy with AE; your return preparer confirms filing positions. |
A situation to compare
You want a convenient report but need to understand the inputs, review process, and reporting support before purchase.
Cost Seg Smart markets a complete service, not just software. Its published materials distinguish residential, STR and commercial offerings and separately available Form 3115 preparation. Compare the actual property tier, review process and filing responsibilities rather than assuming an online order is an unreviewed report.
For a digital workflow, distinguish an estimate, an automatically generated document and a professionally reviewed final study. Ask which one your preparer needs and how corrections are handled.
Compare the two written proposals
Send both providers the same property description and records. Ask each to identify unsupported assumptions, the review professional and the steps needed before delivery. Choose based on the written work your property requires.
Compare the complete proposal
- What property records, site verification and technical review are included?
- Will the report reconcile basis and explain component classifications?
- Who resolves missing invoices, later improvements and prior depreciation?
- Are Form 3115 preparation, return filing, state adjustments or examination support separately priced?
- Who confirms whether deductions can be used given participation, passive-loss and other limitations?
A projected deduction is not a cash saving. Compare the study fee, filing costs, timing benefit and expected holding period with your preparer before ordering.
Cost Seg Smart pricing: what is verified
Residential starts at $495; standard commercial starts at $995. Property-type and purchase-price bands change the fee.
Check the official pricing or service source — research 2026-10-13. Published starting fees are not property-specific quotes and can change.
Which property matrix and price band apply, and which add-ons or custom scoping are required? Compare the study, inspection, corrections, technical support and any separately engaged tax filing before comparing totals. See the provider pricing research table.
Cost Seg Smart reviews: evaluate the evidence
This page is Stratum’s commercial analysis of service scope, not a customer rating or a review of a report we commissioned. We have not independently audited Cost Seg Smart client outcomes.
Check the property tier and whether feedback discusses the actual technical review, CPA handoff or only ordering speed.
Identify who published a review, whether the reviewer bought the same product you are considering and when the experience occurred. Provider-selected testimonials and open review-platform feedback can answer different questions. Neither a high rating nor a single complaint establishes the technical quality of your eventual study.
Start with the official provider source and independently verify any linked review profile. Read our cost segregation review evaluation guide before relying on a ranking.
Explore Cost Seg Smart alternatives across multiple providers
Other providers to consider
Cost Seg Smart proposal comparison worksheet
Use the same facts for every proposal. This worksheet starts with the specific decision on this page: You want a convenient report but need to understand the inputs, review process, and reporting support before purchase.
Download the Cost Seg Smart proposal checklist (CSV)
Record each provider’s written answer beside the relevant proposal clause. The worksheet includes Stratum’s fee formula and separate rows for study work, implementation and support.
Questions before choosing Cost Seg Smart or Stratum
What should I ask Cost Seg Smart before comparing proposals?
Who reviews the property facts behind the generated report? Ask how unusual property features, renovations, and incomplete records are handled.
Does a Stratum study require changing my CPA?
You can keep your existing preparer when commissioning a Stratum study. Identify who reviews the report, updates depreciation schedules and handles any separately engaged filing work. Ask Cost Seg Smart to specify those responsibilities in its own proposal.
What would Stratum charge for my property?
The fee is the greater of $2,000 or property square footage × $1. A 1,500-square-foot property costs $2,000; a 3,500-square-foot property costs $3,500. Calculate the fee and review scope. A study fee is separate from any separately engaged planning or return preparation.
Stratum + AE Tax Advisors
One coordinated path from property study to tax strategy
Stratum prepares the property-level cost segregation study. AE Tax Advisors hosts discovery and discusses how the study fits your broader tax position. Your return preparer confirms filing treatment and implementation responsibilities.
- Discuss the property, timing and goals with AE Tax Advisors.
- Confirm Stratum’s study scope, records, fee and delivery assumptions.
- Coordinate the completed study with AE or your existing CPA under the agreed engagement.
Understand the Stratum and AE connection · Explore AE’s cost segregation tax planning
Compare a written Stratum proposal for your property
Bring your purchase records, existing depreciation schedule and questions. AE Tax Advisors will help you discuss the study and wider tax strategy; confirm all services in writing.
Book a Cost Seg Discovery CallSources and scope
- Cost Seg Smart official information — source research 2026-10-13; verify current scope directly.
- Stratum services and published pricing
- IRS Cost Segregation Audit Technique Guide
Updated October 19, 2026. Provider research dates are shown beside the sources. Numeric fees are attributed where verified; no savings guarantees or quality rankings are inferred. Availability, deliverables and fees depend on the actual proposal.
Compare Cost Seg Smart with other firms
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- Cost Seg Atlas vs Cost Seg Smart: Educational analysis and the final reviewed deliverable