Full study, by community size
| Community | What drives the scope | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 homes | Townhouse rows or one small building; little to inspect | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| 50 to 150 homes | Amenities such as a pool or clubhouse, private streets, a garage | $2,000 to $8,000 |
| 150 to 300 homes | Several amenity sites, long road and pipe networks | $5,000 to $20,000 |
| Over 300 homes | Priced by scope; no published upper figure | From $10,000 |
| High-rise condominium | Elevators, facade, garage decks, mechanical plant | $7,000 to $15,000+ |
Typical ranges, a guide, not a quote. No government or trade body publishes fee figures.
Updates
| Level | What it involves | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full study (CAI Level I) | New inventory of every component, site visit, funding plan | $1,500 to $20,000 |
| Update with site visit (Level II) | Existing inventory reviewed on site, costs and plan redone | Often 50 to 80% of a full study |
| Update without site visit (Level III) | Numbers refreshed from records, no visit | Often under $1,000 |
Level names follow CAI's reserve study standards. Fee figures are typical ranges drawn from published prices: a guide, not a quote.
What moves the price
- Number of components. A pond and a sign is a short day; a tower with elevators, chillers and a garage is several.
- Level of study. A full study builds the inventory from scratch. Updates reuse it.
- Records on hand. Plans, past studies and invoices save the firm time on site.
- Engineering scope. Garage decks, balconies and facades may need a professional engineer.
- Travel. Firms based in Northern Virginia or Richmond may price trips to the Southwest higher.
Comparing proposals
- Same level of study in each proposal?
- Site visit included, and who does it?
- Credentials: CAI Reserve Specialist, APRA analyst, engineer?
- How many years does the funding plan run?
- Does the fee include a draft review meeting with the board?
- When will the final report arrive, relative to your budget date?