On-budget

Completed without exceeding the planned amount of money.

Reach for it when describing work completed without exceeding its approved spending limit

The careful renovation finished on-budget despite the rising timber costs.

• playful

  in the black

  income exceeds expense in an operation

  not when The idiom concerns profit, not project budget.

• everyday

  economical

  low cost relative to benefit is the praise

  not when An economical project can exceed a poorly set budget.

• professional

  cost-controlled

  spending was actively managed

  not when Control can still end above the original budget.

• professional

  cost-effective

  benefit relative to expense is favorable

  not when Cost-effectiveness differs from meeting a fixed cap.

• professional

  within budget

  plain financial status is required

  not when The phrase does not imply good value or scope delivery.

• formal

  fiscally disciplined

  restraint and governance deserve emphasis

  not when Discipline is a process judgment, not a final total.

• over-budget
• overspent
• cost-overrun

• finish on-budget

  The bridge repair managed to finish on-budget despite heavy rain.

• remain on-budget

  Weekly quantity checks helped the renovation remain on-budget.

• on-budget delivery

  On-budget delivery left the contingency fund untouched.

On-budget says nothing about delivered scope, quality, timing, deferred maintenance, or whether the original budget was realistic.