Living in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association (HOA) has many advantages, but some parts of property ownership, particularly when it comes to improvements, can be complicated. If you want to update your siding, for example, you’ll need to get approval from your HOA first.
Here are some siding replacement do’s and don’ts to keep in mind if you live in an HOA-controlled community to make the process run as smoothly as possible.
The Do’s
- Read your HOA’s rules. Avoid assuming what gets approved. Make sure you get accurate confirmation. The HOA’s website should provide up-to-date regulations and rules pertaining to siding replacement and other home improvement projects. If not, search your neighborhood on your county’s website. All U.S. assessor websites have public property information.
- Submit a detailed project proposal on time. To improve your chances of getting pre-approval for siding replacement, gather and submit all the necessary papers on time. Dealing with the HOA can be a hassle, but non-compliance isn’t worth it.
- Get pre-approval. The project approval procedure should be stated in your Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) as well as what you must present to the board. A project proposal application is required by most HOA boards. If you have any questions, you can ask a board member for clarification.
- Use pre-approved siding materials and colors. Customization is half the thrill of replacing siding, but HOAs may limit your design options. Guidelines dictate siding materials and colors. Bold colors will get your pre-approval denied. Instead, use neutral hues that suit everyone. Use the home exterior color palette of your neighborhood as a guide.
The Don’ts
- Disregard the set timeline. Your HOA board may establish a timeframe for your project to ensure that your neighborhood is in order. If the HOA and homeowner agree that the siding replacement would be completed in two weeks, the homeowner should follow through.
- Rely too much on your siding contractor for anything HOA-related. A siding contractor makes your project easier and smoother. Most siding companies have dealt with HOAs before and should know what’s needed. Still, you shouldn’t rely too much on others to comprehend your HOA rules. It’s ultimately your responsibility as a homeowner to make sure your project is compliant.
Krech Exteriors has earned a reputation as one of the Minneapolis area’s most trusted contractors since our founding in 1988. We provide a wide range of home improvement services including roofing, siding, and replacement windows. Call us now at (651) 688-6368, or fill out our contact form for an estimate.
