Do I Need a Property Tax Consultant? DIY vs. Professional Help
Should you protest your property taxes yourself or hire a professional? This honest comparison breaks down what's involved in DIY protests, when professional help makes sense, how contingency fees work, and questions to ask before deciding.
Key Takeaways:
The DIY Approach
What you'll do:
- Research comparable sales
- Verify property records
- Document condition issues
- File protest
- Attend hearings
- Present your case
Time: 4-10 hours
Cost: Free
Works best when: You have time, comfortable presenting, 1-2 properties
The Professional Approach
What they do:
- Analyze property and comps
- Identify errors
- Build evidence packages
- Handle filings
- Attend hearings
- Negotiate
Cost: 25-40% of first-year savings (contingency)
Works best when: Time is valuable, multiple properties, multiple jurisdictions
Success Rates
Recent data shows well-prepared DIY homeowners achieve comparable results to professionals. The key is preparation, not credentials.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What's your time worth?
- How many properties?
- Do you enjoy this?
- Can you attend weekday hearings?
Bottom Line
Both approaches work. The worst choice is doing nothing. With 80%+ success rates, protest your property taxes.
Paying Too Much in Property Taxes?
Let our licensed property tax experts assess your tax bill for potential savings. Over 80% of protests get a reduction of more than $1,000 and it takes less than 3 minutes to enroll.
⏰
🏠
💵
FAQs
How do consultant fees work?
Most work on contingency—typically 25-40% of first-year tax savings. If they don't save you money, you pay nothing.
Are professionals more likely to win?
Not necessarily. Well-prepared DIY homeowners achieve comparable results. Preparation matters more than credentials.
Ryder Meehan
Ryder Meehan is the Co-Founder of TaxDrop and a Licensed Property Tax Protest Consultant
