A few years back, I consulted with a developer expanding their mixed-use portfolio across Florida’s Gulf Coast. Their prior cost segregation provider, based out of the Midwest, had applied the same generic assumptions across all their properties. The issue was that Florida’s unique construction codes and coastal resilience standards weren’t factored in, leading to a misclassification of several key components like hurricane-rated windows and HVAC units.

We brought in a Florida-based firm with engineering expertise and local regulatory knowledge. The updated studies reclaimed nearly $700,000 in accelerated deductions and dramatically improved audit defensibility.

That experience reinforced a simple truth: in Florida, national reach is helpful, but local fluency can be decisive. The best cost segregation companies in Florida don’t just deliver IRS-compliant studies; they align with the state’s construction realities and investment landscape.

Top 3 Quick Picks: Florida’s Best Cost Segregation Companies

1. RE Cost Seg - Best for Florida-Focused Tax Strategy Integration

• Florida and national coverage

• CPA-ready deliverables

• Engineering-grade fieldwork
  
  

2. Engineered Tax Services - Best for Technical Rigor in Florida Markets

• Florida HQ in West Palm Beach

• Licensed engineering team

• Remote “Tele-Engineering” studies
  
  

3. CSSI - Best for Rapid Turnaround Across Florida

• 50,000+ studies nationwide

• Fast delivery, IRS-compliant

• Engineering-first approach
  
  

These three firms stand out for their balance of technical expertise, Florida familiarity, and proven track records. But as with any investment decision, the details matter. Below is a full review of each firm, plus additional options that Florida investors should know.

How to Choose a Florida Cost Segregation Firm

1. Prioritize Local Engineering Insight

Florida properties present unique engineering considerations, from coastal code compliance to energy-efficient design in high-humidity environments. A firm with local engineering expertise can properly classify 5- and 15-year assets, capturing accelerated deductions on site features like seawall reinforcements, pool decks, and storm-rated building systems.

2. Evaluate Hurricane Compliance Knowledge

Investors in Florida face a special set of building code requirements due to hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane impact windows, reinforced roofing systems, and drainage upgrades are often misclassified by firms unfamiliar with the state. Providers with documented experience in these assets can recover significant additional tax savings.

3. Look for On-the-Ground Capabilities

Blueprint reviews and remote studies are valuable, but in Florida, site inspections often reveal overlooked components. Outdoor lighting, seawall improvements, drainage systems, and coastal landscaping can all qualify for accelerated depreciation. The best firms in Florida either conduct site visits or offer hybrid models that combine engineering review with local inspection.

4. Assess Their Audit-Readiness Standards

The IRS has historically scrutinized cost segregation studies in high-value markets like Florida. Choosing a provider that offers full audit defense, detailed workpapers, and engineering-backed documentation can make the difference between a smooth review and an expensive audit adjustment.

5. Verify State and Local Tax Experience

Florida has no state income tax, but that doesn’t eliminate the need for a nuanced tax strategy. For example, property classifications, bonus depreciation opportunities, and energy-related incentives require careful consideration. A good Florida cost segregation partner understands how these interact with federal tax laws and investor goals.

The 6 Best Cost Segregation Companies in Florida

1. RE Cost Seg - Best for Florida-Focused Tax Strategy Integration

• Founded: 2022

• Headquarters: Houston, TX

Why RE Cost Seg is the best cost segregation company in Florida:
RE Cost Seg is the best cost segregation company in Florida because they combine engineering-based studies with State-specific tax strategy integration. Their team emphasizes on-site inspections, which are crucial in a state where coastal building codes, storm-rated materials, and outdoor amenities like seawalls and pool decks often affect asset classification. The result is a more accurate identification of 5-, 7-, and 15-year property components that can be accelerated for depreciation.

Florida investors benefit from RE Cost Seg’s CPA-ready deliverables, which are designed to fold directly into broader tax filings. Their work is known for audit defensibility, with detailed workpapers that align with IRS guidelines. By tailoring studies to Florida’s property mix (multifamily, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use), RE Cost Seg ensures deductions are maximized without introducing unnecessary risk.

2. Engineered Tax Services - Best for Technical Rigor in Florida Markets

• Founded: 2001

• Headquarters: West Palm Beach, FL

Engineered Tax Services (ETS) is one of the most established cost segregation firms in Florida, with its headquarters in West Palm Beach and a national client base. What sets ETS apart is its licensed engineering team, which applies detailed construction knowledge to every study. This approach is particularly valuable in Florida, where factors like hurricane-resistant building materials, site improvements, and specialized HVAC systems can significantly impact depreciation schedules. ETS has also developed proprietary processes, including Tele-Engineering™, which allows for remote studies without sacrificing accuracy.

ETS is a strong option for Florida investors with large or complex portfolios, especially in industries common to the state, such as healthcare, hospitality, and retail. Their reports are widely recognized for being audit-defensible, and the firm is frequently engaged by accounting firms that need engineering-level analysis for their clients. For investors seeking deep technical rigor with a Florida-based partner, ETS is one of the strongest choices available.

3. CSSI - Best for Rapid Turnaround Across Florida

• Founded: 2000

• Headquarters: Baton Rouge, LA

CSSI, also known as Cost Segregation Services Inc., has built a strong reputation nationwide by completing over 50,000 studies, including many in Florida’s commercial and residential markets. The firm is known for its ability to deliver cost segregation studies quickly without compromising IRS compliance. For Florida investors facing tight tax deadlines, this speed can make a critical difference, particularly when closing year-end filings or managing multiple property acquisitions.

In Florida, CSSI’s experience spans everything from vacation rentals in the Panhandle to large resorts and retail centers along the coasts. Their engineering-first approach ensures that storm-rated structures, exterior site features, and other region-specific assets are accurately classified for accelerated depreciation. With a balance of scale, technical accuracy, and rapid turnaround, CSSI is a reliable option for investors needing timely, defensible results.

4. KBKG - Best for Multi-State Investors With Florida Assets

• Founded: 1999

• Headquarters: Pasadena, CA

KBKG is a well-established national provider with a strong presence in the Southeast, making it a solid choice for investors who own properties both in Florida and across other states. Their engineering teams have significant experience in handling complex studies and defending them under IRS audit, which is especially valuable in Florida’s high-scrutiny real estate environment. For smaller projects, KBKG offers its Residential Cost Segregator® tool, a useful option for investors with short-term rentals, duplexes, or small multifamily properties in markets like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.

Florida investors who work with KBKG benefit from both their technical expertise and their ability to manage multi-property portfolios spread across different jurisdictions. Their ability to integrate cost segregation with other tax incentives, such as energy efficiency credits, provides additional value to owners of commercial and residential properties alike. For those balancing Florida holdings with out-of-state assets, KBKG offers both scale and flexibility.

5. McGuire Sponsel - Best for CPA Collaboration in Florida

• Founded: 2007

• Headquarters: Indianapolis, IN

McGuire Sponsel has built its reputation on partnering closely with CPA firms, making it a strong fit for Florida investors who prefer their cost segregation provider to work directly with their existing tax advisors. The firm produces detailed, audit-ready reports that integrate seamlessly into client filings, helping accounting teams streamline the tax reporting process. Their engineering-led studies ensure accuracy, while their collaborative model provides added confidence to property owners managing large portfolios or complex projects.

For Florida-based investors, McGuire Sponsel’s experience with hospitality and coastal properties is particularly valuable. They understand how storm-rated materials, outdoor amenities, and other Florida-specific features should be classified, ensuring accelerated depreciation opportunities are not missed. By combining technical rigor with a CPA-first approach, McGuire Sponsel offers a reliable option for investors who want both precision and professional collaboration.

6. ELB Cost Seg - Best for Mid-Sized Florida Commercial Projects

• Founded: 2001

• Headquarters: New Port Richey, FL

ELB Cost Seg focuses on providing engineering-driven studies tailored to mid-sized commercial properties, which makes them a practical fit for Florida investors managing assets like retail plazas, medical offices, and light industrial facilities. The firm emphasizes in-person inspections, an important factor in Florida, where site improvements, coastal infrastructure, and storm-resistant building features often drive additional accelerated depreciation opportunities.

Their reports are designed to be CPA-ready and audit-defensible, offering property owners confidence that the work will stand up to scrutiny. Florida clients with projects under $10 million benefit most from ELB’s approach, as the firm balances competitive pricing with thorough engineering reviews. For investors in Florida’s diverse commercial markets who need accurate and affordable studies, ELB Cost Seg offers a strong middle-market solution.

The Florida Advantage, Maximized Through the Right Partner

Florida’s real estate market rewards speed, resilience, and local knowledge, and so should your cost segregation strategy. Whether you own a boutique hotel in Naples, a retail strip in Orlando, or a multifamily project in Jacksonville, the best provider is one who understands both your property and the Florida tax landscape.

Each of the firms listed here brings a unique advantage. The right choice depends on your property type, audit risk appetite, and desire for an integrated tax strategy. When done right, cost segregation isn’t just a deduction; it’s a reinvestment engine.