Florida does not publish milestone inspection fees, and one engineering firm's own estimate puts Phase 1 at several thousand dollars and Phase 2 at tens of thousands. The larger cost is repairs: Phase 2 repair permits reported to the state averaged $337,229 in 2024 and $496,236 in 2025, ranging from under $1,000 to $30 million (OPPAGA Report 26-04).
General information, not legal or engineering advice.
What does the inspection itself cost?
The state does not set or survey milestone inspection fees, and we have not found an independent survey we would stand behind. The only published estimate we found comes from an engineering firm's own website, with no date or author, so treat it as one vendor's view [2]:
| Phase | Vendor estimate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (visual) | "Several thousand dollars" | Vendor estimate, undated |
| Phase 2 (testing) | "Tens of thousands" | Vendor estimate, undated |
What moves the fee is set out in the statute: the size and number of buildings, how much of the habitable and non-habitable areas must be examined, and, for Phase 2, how much destructive or nondestructive testing the inspector decides is needed [3].
What do local governments charge?
| Government | Fee | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Lauderdale | $375 | Building Safety Inspection Program review |
| City of Boca Raton | $500 | Per recertification |
| Miami-Dade County | $403.13 | Recertification initial review (from 1 Oct 2025) |
| Miami-Dade County | $453.52 | Late fee |
What do repairs after Phase 2 cost?
This is the number boards need to plan for. Local building departments reported 903 Phase 2 repair permit applications to the state for 2024 and 2025 [1].
| Year | Permits | Average value | Over $1 million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 671 | $337,229 | 56 |
| 2025 | 232 | $496,236 | 30 |
How can a board keep the cost down?
- Book early. OPPAGA counted 1,587 deadline extensions across 2024 and 2025, and difficulty finding engineers was among the reasons given [1]. Late bookings leave less room to compare proposals.
- Gather records. Drawings, past reports and repair records shorten the work.
- Ask about a combined inspection. Some jurisdictions in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach accept one combined Phase 1 and 2 inspection [1].
- Reuse it for the SIRS. A milestone inspection within the past 5 years that meets the SIRS rules can replace the SIRS visual inspection.
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Frequently asked questions
Who pays for the milestone inspection?
The association pays for the portions of the building it maintains under its governing documents. In a mixed-use building, the owner of any non-condo portion shares responsibility for compliance.
Are there government fees too?
Some building departments charge filing or review fees. Fort Lauderdale charges $375 for its safety inspection review and Boca Raton $500 per recertification. Miami-Dade's recertification initial review fee is $403.13.
Why do Phase 2 costs vary so much?
Phase 2 testing is as extensive or as limited as the inspector decides is needed to assess the distress, and the repairs depend on what testing finds. That is why repair permits range from under $1,000 to $30 million.
Can we get a fixed fee?
Phase 1 is usually quoted as a fixed fee because its scope is set by statute. Phase 2 is often quoted in stages because its scope depends on Phase 1 findings. You get a written proposal from us before any work.
Sources
- Milestone Inspection Reporting Data 2024 and 2025, Report 26-04, July 2026, Florida Legislature, OPPAGA. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- How Much Does A Commercial Building Inspection Cost In Florida?, Stone Building Solutions LLC. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- s. 553.899, Florida Statutes, Online Sunshine, Florida Legislature. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Building Safety Inspection Program, City of Fort Lauderdale, City of Fort Lauderdale. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Building Recertification Inspection Program, City of Boca Raton, City of Boca Raton. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Recertification (Miami-Dade County Building), Miami-Dade County. Accessed October 28, 2026.
