CT August 2026

The Bid Looked Great — Until It Didn’t:

on the exact same scope of work, or inadvertently leave out specific items, pricing comparisons become meaningless. For larger or more complex capital projects—such as façade, garage, or structural work—engaging an engineer or licensed architect to design, specify, and help oversee the project is often money well spent. Not only does this reduce the association’s liability, but it ensures contractors are pricing the same materials, quantities, and methods. For smaller projects where a design professional may not be involved, the responsibility shifts squarely to the board and management team. And let’s be honest—this happens; contractors are busy. You provided detailed specifications, but in the interest of turning around a proposal quickly, one item (or several) may be overlooked by the contractor. That makes careful review essential. Proposals should never be skimmed. Are all contractors accounting for the same square footage? The same number of coats of paint? The same Why “Comparing Apples to Apples” Can Save You and Your Community Money and Time. By Dawn Kearney, CMCA, EBP, M&T Bank Apples-to-Apples Contract Review for Smarter HOA Decisions

P icture this: Your association is planning a capital proj ect. Three bids are on the table. One is noticeably lower than the others. Board members exchange hopeful looks—Did we just find a bargain? Fast forward six months. The project is delayed. Change orders keep coming. The “low” bid is no longer low, and residents are frustrated. This scenario plays out far too often in planned com munities, and it usually starts with one simple mistake: not comparing contracts, apples to apples. Taking the time to truly understand what’s in front of you can save your associ ation significant time, money, and stress—and help avoid problems before they start. The Foundation: Clear Scope and Clear Specifications Before bids ever arrive, the most important work has already begun. A successful bid process depends on clear, detailed specifications. But, when contractors are not bidding

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AUGUST 2026