CT August 2026

APPLES TO APPLES... from page 25.

A Final Thought: The True Cost of Not Looking Closer Projects can and do encounter delays, labor issues, and material shortages. Some change orders are unavoidable, particularly in invasive projects. Problems arise when change orders exceed reasonable contingen cies or reveal a poorly written scope from the start. In the end, the most valuable invest ment an association can make is choosing to slow down, read careful ly, and ask the right questions. Because when boards take the time to truly compare apples to apples, they don’t just protect the budget, they pro tect their project and the community. n

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AUGUST 2026