SR&ED Tax Credits for

Construction & Engineering

Erecting a standard building isn't SR&ED—but overcoming severe site constraints and engineering custom shoring systems is. We translate your daily site logs and RFIs into audit-proof claims, so you can focus on the build, not the paperwork.

Your R&D in [
Construction
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
Your R&D in
[
Construction
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.

What may qualify in construction & engineering

(examples)
01

Developing custom shoring or foundation systems for unstable soil

Geotechnical reports, structural iterations, failure analyses.
02

Testing novel concrete mixes or curing methods for extreme weather

Mix designs, thermal tracking logs, stress test results.
03

Overcoming complex HVAC/MEP integration in severely restricted spaces

3D clash detection reports, design revisions, mechanical schematics.
04

Engineering temporary structures to support unique architectural features

Load calculations, safety testing logs, iterative blueprints.
05

Modifying standard heavy equipment for specialized site conditions

Equipment schematics, fabrication logs, performance metrics.

What evidence
matters most

This is some text inside of a div block.
You’re more likely to qualify if your work has all three:
01

Scientific or Technological Uncertainty

You couldn't predict if a structural design, material, or construction method would work due to site-specific constraints, environmental factors, or complex integrations.
02

Systematic Investigation

You ran structural simulations, tested material samples, iterated on engineering drawings, and logged field data to solve the problem.
03

Technological Advancement

You achieved a measurable improvement in structural integrity, material performance, or construction efficiency that goes beyond standard building codes.

We help you capture:

You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]

Our technical specialists speak your language.

Whether you are architecting a cloud database, scaling a bioreactor, or overcoming mechanical failure, we understand your underlying constraints without needing a beginner's explanation.

[ uncertainty ]

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]
Routine architectural design and standard construction do not qualify—unless you can show specific technological uncertainty and documented problem-solving.
[ Not sure if your work fits? ]
Request consultation
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Common pitfalls we help you avoid

Small fixes early can prevent big issues later.

Standard Design vs. R&D

Routine architectural and structural engineering isn't SR&ED. We help isolate the specific hours spent solving unpredictable technical failures that standard codes couldn't address.

The "Bad Weather" Trap

Just dealing with rain or freezing temperatures isn't enough. We document the technological workarounds and material testing your engineers developed to overcome those conditions.

Missing Field Data

Site supers rarely keep "R&D logs." We help extract defensible evidence from the documents you already use: RFIs, change orders, daily site reports, and meeting minutes.

Subcontractor Confusion

Did you take the technical risk, or did your sub? We clarify your contract terms to ensure the right party claims the tax credits without double-dipping.
Want to sanity-check your setup?
Request consultation
Request consultation
Your R&D in
[
Construction
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.

How Checkpoint helps helps construction & engineering teams with SR&ED

We turn real construction & engineering innovation into a clear SR&ED claim with evidence CRA can understand—without unnecessary complexity.
[ step 01 ]

Entry consultation

A brief, technical conversation to understand your operations to determine your SR&ED potential. No preparation needed.
[ step 02 ]

Eligibility review

We analyze your technical landscape to separate routine engineering from eligible work, identifying your hidden ROI.
[ step 03 ]

Technical discovery

We identify potential SR&ED projects from your work, and translate them into CRA-compliant language. Your team stays focused on innovation, not paperwork.
[ step 04 ]

Claim Preparation & Submission

We identify eligible project costs, draft the SR&ED forms, and develop a technical narrative for the CRA. We then coordinate with your tax advisor to manage the final submission.
[ step 05 ]

Proactive Compliance

Say goodbye to the year-end scramble. We establish a recurring rhythm of monthly or quarterly check-ins to capture eligible activities and costs as they happen.
[ step 06 ]

CRA Audit and Review Defense

We don’t just submit and disappear. We provide expert technical defense and manage all CRA communications to protect your claim.
[ step 07 ]

Funding Secured

Once your claim is approved, we provide a detailed reconciliation of the funding secured. We operate on a success-fee basis—we win only when you win.

What evidence
matters most

This is some text inside of a div block.
(and how we keep it simple)
01

Technical
Uncertainty

The solution isn’t obvious in your context—there’s a real technical problem to solve.
02

Systematic Investigation

You test options through trials and iterations, form hypotheses, and measurement conclusions.
03

Technological Advancement

You can show measurable improvement beyond routine operations.

We help you capture:

You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.

What problem you were solving

[ uncertainty ]

What you changed vs. what stayed constant

[ variables ]

What you measured

[ results, comparisons ]

What changed based on results

[ decisions ]

Who worked on it and when

[ timeline ]

 Link between trial work and eligible costs

[ high-level ]

Why teams choose Checkpoint

Proven experience, defensible process, and clear accountability.
20
+
[ Years of experience ]
8500
+
[ Projects ]
$500M
+
[ Recovered ]
96.5
%
[ Success rate ]
[ Testimonials ]
[ Construction & Engineering ]

“Most consultants struggle with our multidisciplinary breadth, but this team dives deep into the science.

Their monthly checkpoint model has turned complex compliance into a simple process that integrates seamlessly with our engineering cycles."
 — Farid Mobasser, VP Engineering
[ Promise Robotics ]

Frequently Asked Questions

Structuring claims in [Pharmaceuticals]
We speak your technical language

What is the CRA’s "Why and How" framework?

The "Why and How" framework is the CRA’s current assessment standard, replacing the legacy "Five Questions." It strictly evaluates the technical impetus for your project (the 'Why') and the systematic rigor of your execution (the 'How').

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What constitutes "contemporaneous documentation"?

Contemporaneous documentation refers to raw evidence generated during the execution of the work. Retroactive documentation drafted months after project completion is heavily scrutinized and frequently rejected by the CRA.

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Which specific artifacts should our engineering team preserve?

Preserve time-stamped artifacts tied directly to technical roadblocks. Commit logs, Jira/Linear tickets, Slack threads detailing failed tests, architecture whiteboard photos, and granular timesheets are the gold standard of evidence.

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What are the escalation protocols if a claim is denied?

The CRA provides a strict, three-tier escalation framework: an initial dispute resolution dialogue with the reviewer, an escalation to the Review Manager, and ultimately a formal Notice of Objection — filed within 90 days of assessment and, if required, carried to the Tax Court of Canada.

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When is litigation in the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) necessary?

The TCC is the final arbiter, utilized only when internal CRA administrative appeals are exhausted. It provides an independent judicial review of your technical and financial eligibility, completely separate from the CRA's internal ecosystem.

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Let’s Assess Your R&D Potential

Start with a pressure-free consultation.
We’ll clarify what likely qualifies, flag key risk areas, and recommend the safest next step based on your activities and timeline.
See what typically qualifies
See what typically qualifies
Send a short note — we’ll reply with clear next steps.
Submit request
Submit request
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Your R&D.
Our expertise.
Zero anxiety.