Flat packet vs contingency consultant: the maths

Commercial tax consultants work on contingency — published ranges run 8–50% of your savings (25–35% standard in California, 30–50% in Cook County, 8–20% tiered in Denver, one national firm at 18%). The percentage sounds small until you multiply it.

A worked example on real county maths

Take a $3M commercial building. In Cook County's published 2025 data the median commercial reduction, when won, was 16.1% of assessed value. Even a 10% reduction at a 2% effective rate saves $6,000 a year — every year until reassessment. At 30% contingency that is $1,800 for year one; the flat packet for that value band is $749, once. Win bigger — a 16.1% cut saves about $9,660 a year — and the contingency fee grows to roughly $2,900 while the packet price does not move.

What contingency buys that we do not sell

Representation: a consultant or attorney files, argues, and appears for you — in Cook County and New Jersey, entity owners legally must use an attorney at some stages. If you want that, hire it knowingly. Our packet is the evidence engine: hand it to your attorney, or file it yourself where owners may.

Where flat loses

If you win nothing, a packet costs its flat price and a contingency costs zero. Our answer is the free check and the worksheet rule: if our own worksheet shows no indicated saving, we tell you not to buy.

Software, not representation. FairAppealPacket is not a law firm, a licensed appraiser, or a licensed property-tax consultant. We do not file, appear, or negotiate for you. You review, sign, and file your own appeal. No result is guaranteed. Competitor facts below are as published by those companies and verified in our November 2026 research; check their sites for current terms.