Professional Fees & Engagement Structure

Summit Equity Advisors, LLC operates as a professional real estate consultancy.

Our services are billed on a time and materials basis consistent with industry standards for professional consulting firms.

We provide clear estimates and defined scopes prior to beginning any engagement.

Our fee structure is designed to reflect the expertise, analysis, and time invested in each client project while maintaining flexibility for a range of property types and client needs.

1. Professional Billing Rates

All consulting work is billed hourly according to the experience and role of the consultant assigned.

Rates vary by engagement and are confirmed in writing prior to commencement.

The following ranges represent typical billing levels within the firm.

Principal Consultant

• $175 – $225 per hour

• Senior-level advisory, valuation, financial modeling, and strategic analysis.

Associate Consultant

• $100 – $150 per hour

• Market research, project coordination, and report preparation under principal oversight.

Research & Support Staff

• $75 – $100 per hour

• Data compilation, documentation, and administrative assistance.

Time is billed in quarter-hour increments.

All time spent on research, analysis, communication, and deliverable preparation is considered billable.

Actual rates and consultant assignments are defined in each engagement agreement.

2. Project-Based Engagements

Certain defined-scope assignments may be completed on a fixed-fee basis, determined by the estimated hours required.

Typical engagements include:

• Property valuation and ROI analysis (8–12 hours)

• Market entry or acquisition feasibility study (10–15 hours)

• Short-term rental performance audit (6–10 hours)

• Design and renovation advisory plan (10–20 hours)

A detailed proposal outlining scope, estimated hours, deliverables, and fee structure will be provided for client approval before work commences.

3. Retainer & Ongoing Advisory

Summit offers ongoing advisory retainers for clients who require continuing consultation, portfolio oversight, or operational support.

Standard Retainer Structure

• Retainers include a defined number of consulting hours per month or quarter.

• Additional hours beyond the retainer are billed at standard hourly rates.

• Retainers are invoiced monthly in advance and reconciled quarterly.

Common retainer arrangements include:

• Portfolio Advisory Retainer — Regular review of property performance, capital strategy, and reporting.

• STR Oversight Retainer — Ongoing pricing strategy, listing performance tracking, and operational coordination.

• Operational Support Retainer — Systems setup, vendor coordination, and administrative support for multiple properties.

Retainer levels and fees are established through a written agreement tailored to each client’s scope and frequency of service.

4. Billing & Payment Terms

• Summit issues electronic invoices monthly for all time and expenses incurred.

• Payment is due upon receipt and considered past due after 15 days.

• Major project engagements may require a retainer deposit or partial advance payment prior to commencement.

• Expenses such as travel, materials, or third-party services (if applicable) will be billed at cost with no markup.

• Payments are accepted via ACH transfer or business credit card via our payment platforms, Quicken and Stripe.

5. Minimum Engagements & Estimates

• The minimum billing increment for new clients is two (2) hours.

• Short introductory consultations under 30 minutes are provided at no cost when appropriate.

• Written estimates are available upon request prior to engagement.

• All estimates are subject to change based on scope adjustments or client-requested modifications.

6. Engagement Process

Every engagement follows a standardized, professional workflow:

1. Inquiry Submission – The client completes a short intake form outlining property details and desired services.

2. Preliminary Discussion – We review the request, clarify scope, and prepare an estimated range of hours.

3. Engagement Letter – A formal proposal is issued defining objectives, scope, fees, and deliverables.

4. Work Commencement – Services begin following written approval and, when applicable, deposit receipt.

5. Reporting & Review – Summaries and recommendations are delivered at agreed intervals or upon completion.

This structure ensures transparency and accountability throughout the consulting process.

7. Professional Standards

Summit Equity Advisors adheres to the professional norms of independent consulting practices, including:

• Clear communication of fees and deliverables prior to commencement.

• Detailed documentation of work performed and hours billed.

• Confidential handling of all client information.

• Objective, data-driven recommendations free of sales incentives.

We do not accept commissions, referral fees, or performance-based compensation that could compromise independence.

8. Engagement Inquiries

To request a fee estimate or proposal, please complete our short client intake form.

We review all inquiries individually and respond within 1–2 business days.

9. Legal Notice

All pricing and engagement terms are subject to change without prior notice.

Written engagement letters supersede this summary for any active client relationship.

Summit Equity Advisors, LLC is a North Carolina–registered limited liability company.