The Right HOA Budget Cuts?

HOA Managers and Board Members are constantly struggling with increasing costs, which they have to pass on to HOA members. For this exercise, the reason why costs are increasing isn’t that relevant. The important point to remember when it comes to increases is that they usually increase, on average, at a rate greater than inflation.

But — how about instead of just passing those increases on, we work on making smart HOA budget cuts? The difference can of course be put into the capital improvement account should the Board so choose.

How “fixed” are fixed costs?

Just because you learned in business school that fixed costs are not variable doesn’t mean that that’s the case in the “real world.” For instance, every HOA needs and uses electricity. However, the cost of electricity has two variables; the first being the cost per kilowatt and the second being how many kilowatts your HOA uses.

Changing light fixtures or light bulbs and swapping out hardware can often result in 50—100% reduction in electric use, depending on what is currently being used. Yes, 100%!

Logically, a 100% reduction would require the HOA to produce its own electricity. This is quite possible in today’s solar-society where solar panels are becoming more and more cost effective to afford and install.

Cutting electric costs by 50% doesn’t require solar installation; it frequently only requires an upgrading of the fixtures or the lamps, installation of motion sensors, or a combination thereof. Either way, there are huge savings to be realized that are often overlooked because they are not initially considered “large.”

Is your HOA looking toward the future or stuck in the past?

There are an enormous amount of alternatives on how to lease roofs or other common areas in HOAs to install solar that can be used either for the individual units, or for the common space.

HOAs are often slow to embrace change. There are still HOAs that do not allow their members to install solar panels. However, as solar becomes more affordable and homeowners become more aware, they are more likely to put pressure on boards to change policy and allow solar.

Every penny counts

When it comes to cutting operating costs for HOAs, every penny counts. It is not just about that one penny, but the cumulative effect and changing the mindset of boards and residents, to value reduced waste.

Pin It on Pinterest

Help