Property-first provider comparisons
CSSI vs Stratum Cost Segregation: Pricing & Scope
Compare CSSI 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
CSSI or Stratum?
Compare the property study, inspection requirements and any additional incentive projects as separate assignments.
Your decision
Ask for the study methodology, required property records, and the precise handoff to your CPA.
CSSI official service information — researched 2026-10-19.
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 CallCSSI and Stratum: the practical differences
Editorial analysis updated 2026-10-19. Provider statements below are attributed to their official sources.
| Topic | CSSI published information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Property evidence | CSSI’s cost segregation FAQ requests depreciation schedules, building costs, applicable plans and property access for an on-site walkthrough. | Official CSSI source |
| Fee information | Its FAQ publishes a general $2,000–$15,000 range and separately describes commercial fees generally starting at $2,500; obtain the actual proposal. | Official CSSI source |
Scope the property and the wider project separately
Start by identifying whether you need only a cost segregation study or additional technical incentive work. Put each assignment in its own proposal row. For an owner-occupied commercial building, ask which records can be shared between projects and who reconciles the final asset data. Stratum’s discovery discussion should identify its study responsibilities and any separately engaged advisory work.
Plan access to occupied property
For a leased building or apartment property, confirm which areas can be inspected, whether tenant notice is needed and how shared systems will be documented. Ask both providers how the proposal changes if access is delayed. Link the delivery target to complete intake and the agreed inspection plan, then have your CPA work backward from the filing deadline.
Use a property-specific comparison
A provider’s broad fee range does not establish the price of your building. Stratum’s study rate is $1 per square foot with a $2,000 minimum per property. Obtain CSSI’s quote for the same building and confirm the included report, revisions, CPA support and inspection. For a large property, compare the full scope and total fee without assuming that a square-foot rate will always be lower.
Answers to obtain for this comparison
- Separate the cost segregation study from other incentive assignments.
- Confirm occupied-area access and the inspection dependencies.
- Compare the actual CSSI quote with Stratum’s square-foot fee.
Where CSSI may fit
CSSI describes engineering-based cost segregation alongside R&D tax-credit and Section 179D services.
Property owners seeking a specialist for the study portion of a tax project. Ask for the study methodology, required property records, and the precise handoff to your CPA.
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 | CSSI | Stratum + AE |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Property owners seeking a specialist for the study portion of a tax project | Rental-property study with a discovery discussion hosted by AE Tax Advisors. |
| Written deliverable | What deliverables will my return preparer receive? | 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 have a candidate property and a CPA, but need to clarify who prepares the study and who implements the tax reporting.
Ask for the study methodology, required property records, and the precise handoff to your CPA.
For a specialist engagement, compare property analysis and CPA coordination separately from any other specialty tax projects. A wider service menu can help when several incentives are involved; a focused rental study may suit a narrower project.
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.
CSSI pricing: what is verified
The cost segregation FAQ publishes a general $2,000–$15,000 range and separately describes commercial fees generally starting at $2,500. Confirm a property-specific quote.
Check the official pricing or service source — research 2026-10-19. Published starting fees are not property-specific quotes and can change.
Which stated range applies to my building, and what inspection, revision and support work is included? Compare the study, inspection, corrections, technical support and any separately engaged tax filing before comparing totals. See the provider pricing research table.
CSSI 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 CSSI client outcomes.
For this research question — What deliverables will my return preparer receive? — look for feedback that describes the actual deliverable, the property involved and the reviewer or support process.
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.
Other providers to consider
CSSI proposal comparison worksheet
Use the same facts for every proposal. This worksheet starts with the specific decision on this page: You have a candidate property and a CPA, but need to clarify who prepares the study and who implements the tax reporting.
Download the CSSI 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 CSSI or Stratum
What should I ask CSSI before comparing proposals?
What deliverables will my return preparer receive? Ask for the study methodology, required property records, and the precise handoff to your CPA.
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 CSSI 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.
Research CSSI reviews and pricing
The CSSI editorial review distinguishes provider descriptions from customer-feedback evidence. The CSSI pricing guide focuses on current fee information and a like-for-like quote.
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
- CSSI official information — source research 2026-10-19; 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 CSSI with other firms
- CSSI vs Madison SPECS: Feasibility, inspection and CPA handoff