Plan your community's annual budget with our free interactive template. Adjust the numbers, see the breakdown, and export to CSV.
| Category | Typical | Annual Amount | Monthly | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping & Grounds | 25-35% | $ | $3,000 | 28.6% |
| Insurance | 10-15% | $ | $1,200 | 11.4% |
| Utilities (Common Areas) | 8-12% | $ | $1,000 | 9.5% |
| Management / Admin | 10-20% | $ | $1,500 | 14.3% |
| Reserves Contribution | 15-25% | $ | $2,000 | 19.0% |
| Maintenance & Repairs | 10-15% | $ | $1,200 | 11.4% |
| Legal & Professional | 2-5% | $ | $300 | 2.9% |
| Social Events & Activities | 2-5% | $ | $300 | 2.9% |
| Miscellaneous | 3-5% | $ | $0 | 0.0% |
| Total Expenses | $126,000 | $10,500 | 100% | |
| Annual Revenue | $120,000 | $10,000 | ||
| Deficit | -$6,000 | -$500 | ||
A good budget isn't a one-time exercise. It's a document your board should reference every month.
Most HOAs should allocate 15-25% of annual revenue to reserves. Underfunded reserves lead to special assessments — the single biggest source of homeowner frustration.
Don't wait for the annual meeting to catch budget overruns. Review actual spending against your budget every quarter. Catch a 10% overrun in Q1, and you have nine months to course-correct.
Compare actual spending to budget every month with financial reports. A budget-vs-actual report is the single most useful financial tool for a board treasurer.
Even well-planned budgets face surprises — a broken irrigation line, a tree removal, unexpected legal fees. A small miscellaneous buffer keeps you from dipping into reserves for routine overruns. If you don't spend it, roll it into reserves at year-end.
Track actual spending against your budget with automated financial reports, GL accounting, and real-time dashboards.
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