The "Status Quo" Problem
Most HOA boards sign a contract thinking they know their monthly cost. Then the first statement arrives. Suddenly, there are charges for “administrative overhead,” “file storage,” “printing per page,” and even “emergency phone call surcharges.”
In the industry, these are known as hidden fees, and they make budget forecasting impossible for volunteer boards.
Why "Legacy" Companies Charge Hidden Fees
Many large management companies offer a low “base fee” to win the contract, then make their profit on the back end through:
- Maintenance Markups: Charging a 10-15% "oversight fee" on every contractor invoice.
- Communication Fees: Charging for every email sent to homeowners.
- Standard Overhead: Billing back the association for the management company’s own software or storage costs.
The AmLo Way: Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing
At AmLo Management, one of our core USPs is Transparent Pricing. We believe that a board’s relationship with its manager should be built on trust, not on a fear of the next invoice.
How we do it differently:
- No Maintenance Markups: When a plumber charges $500, the association pays $500. Period.
- Inclusive Tech Stack: Our Best-in-Class Technology is included in the base fee. You don't pay extra for digital portals or electronic voting.
- Proactive Management: Because we don't profit from "emergencies" or "extra work," our goal is to prevent problems before they start.
What This Means for Your Reserve Study
When your management fees are predictable, your Reserve Study is more accurate. You can stop “guessing” what your administrative costs will be and start investing that saved money back into the community—whether that’s a new roof in Seattle or drought-resistant landscaping in Los Angeles.
Demand More from Your Management Partner
Your community’s budget belongs to the homeowners. It shouldn’t be used to pad a management company’s bottom line through obscure “service charges.”