The short answer
For a small co-ownership of 12 units or fewer, a contingency fund study generally runs between $1,500 and $5,000 before tax in Québec in 2026. The range is wide because "a study" can mean very different things depending on the provider: a short summary report is nothing like a complete, signed study backed by an on-site inspection and a 25-year projection. Larger or more complex buildings easily exceed these amounts.
Beware of prices that look too low. An "$800 study" is rarely a Loi 16-compliant one. The regulation requires specific content (component inventory, condition, useful life, 25-year projection) produced or supervised by an authorized professional. A document that skips these steps won't protect you — and will have to be redone.
What moves the price
Six factors explain most of the gap from one quote to the next:
- Number of units and building size — more units and common area means a longer component inventory to build.
- Component complexity — a triplex with no elevator, garage or pool documents far faster than a building with an underground garage and mechanical systems.
- Age and condition — an older or poorly maintained building requires more analysis to estimate remaining useful life.
- Study alone vs. combined package — ordering the study and logbook together avoids paying twice for the inspection (see below).
- Access and available documentation — plans, a recent balance sheet and an up-to-date declaration of co-ownership speed things up; their absence slows things down.
- Turnaround — a rush mandate (for example ahead of an imminent sale) usually costs more than one planned in advance.
Our firm pricing for small co-ownerships
At CoPro16, we don't give vague estimates. The price depends only on the number of units, it's firm before the mandate begins, and it includes the full package: evaluator visit, contingency fund study and maintenance logbook, signed by an engineer member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
Above 12 units, the building is outside our niche: write to us and we'll point you in the right direction. A rush service (delivery in under 2 weeks) is available for an extra $750, useful in particular when a unit sale depends on the documents being ready.
Why the combined package costs less
The contingency fund study and the maintenance logbook rest on the same foundation: the building inspection and the inventory of its components. That's the longest and costliest step. Once done, it feeds both documents. Ordering them separately — from two providers or at two different times — means paying for that inspection twice. That's why every serious provider, and plain economics, point toward the combined package.
What the price should include
Before comparing two quotes, check that they cover the same thing. A low price that excludes the on-site visit or the logbook isn't really cheaper.
| Item | Should be included? |
|---|---|
| On-site evaluation visit | Yes — a "desk-only" study with no visit is a red flag |
| Component inventory (UniFormat II) | Yes |
| 25-year financial projection | Yes — required by the regulation |
| Recommended contribution scenarios | Yes |
| Maintenance logbook | Yes, if you want to be fully compliant |
| Signature by an authorized professional | Yes — without it the document has no legal standing |
Bottom line. The right instinct isn't to chase the lowest price, but the clearest firm price for a genuinely compliant deliverable. A fixed-price combined package spares you both surprises and documents that have to be redone.
Frequently asked questions
Does the price depend on the building's value?
No. The cost reflects the production effort (size, number and complexity of components), not the building's market value. Two triplexes worth very different amounts pay the same package price.
Does the study need to be redone regularly?
Yes: the regulation requires a refresh every 5 years. The update is lighter than the first study since the base inventory already exists. Write to us to discuss it based on your situation.