Your local homeowners association (HOA) does a lot of things for your neighborhood. For starters, the board is responsible for keeping the community neat and aesthetically pleasing, which in turn, helps maintain property values. The HOA can also help settle disputes between neighbors, whether these involve noise, disruptive behavior or visual nuisances. But every coin has two sides to it. Some people are not fans of the HOA because they set limitations on what you can do to your home. Projects, such as roof and gutter installation, exterior painting and especially siding replacement, will usually require HOA approval before they can move forward with the project.
Getting HOA Approval for Siding Replacement Is Crucial
Having your old siding replaced in an HOA community may feel like jumping through hoops, but you’ll need to move past that feeling and start being compliant. No homeowner gets to live in an HOA neighborhood by accident. You’ve agreed to their conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&Rs) the moment you agreed to that home purchase.
Any home renovations that involve altering the exterior of your home, including siding replacement, have to be approved by the HOA first. It’s in your best interest to adhere to the CC&Rs because they’re legally binding and enforceable. Non-compliance can lead to warnings and fines, and – depending on the HOA – repeated violations can even revoke a homeowner’s access to amenities and other privileges provided by the community. And if the person continues to ignore violation notices, fines and sanctions, the board may decide on litigation as a last resort.
How to Get Approval for Your Siding Replacement
It all sounds a bit too much, isn’t it? But HOA boards are usually reasonable, and as long as you follow the necessary guidelines, you should have no issues getting your siding replacement approved. It’s up to you to make the process as easy or difficult as you like. Here are a few useful siding replacement tips you should consider if you live in an HOA community:
- Read up on your HOA CC&Rs. Home renovations like siding replacement offer an easy and effective way to increase your home’s beauty. But you and your HOA may have different takes on what beauty is. To understand your HOA’s idea of curb appeal, check their CC&Rs thoroughly for anything related to siding replacement. You’re most likely given a copy of this governing document when you bought your home. If you don’t have it somehow, you can always send a request to view them. You also have the option to visit the local HOA community website (if they have one) and read the CC&Rs there. Make sure the CC&s you’re reading are actually for the community you’re living in. After all, CC&Rs vary with each HOA.
- Get pre-approval. The governing document containing HOA CC&Rs and other bylaws should talk about the approval process and detail what documents and forms you’ll need to submit. Ask a board member if it doesn’t. Avoid starting your project without a green light from the board. Most HOAs will require you to submit a detailed project proposal form along with additional documents, such as a building permit. Make sure you’re prompt about the submission. The HOA board may approve your project as is or approve it with some conditions.
- Ask for assistance. To increase your chances of getting pre-approval, make sure to work with a siding contractor who has experience dealing with HOAs. Discuss the CC&Rs with them before starting the project, making sure they understand the essentials to avoid issues later on in the process. Check the guidelines for a pre-approved list of siding materials, profiles and colors. Unless you want to be hit with complaints, make sure your design choices don’t match exactly with your next-door neighbors’ exterior. The last thing you want is a written notice about non-compliance from the HOA board when your siding installation is already half finished. For this reason, you’ll need to be more involved with your siding replacement because, even if your choice of contractor reads the CC&Rs, it’s ultimately your responsibility to make sure your project is compliant.
- Set time limits. Once you have your siding replacement approved, the next step is to discuss work hours with your contractor. To avoid conflict with your neighbors, schedule the work at about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most people are already awake and at school or at work during these hours. By setting time limits with your contractor, there’ll be less disruption to the neighborhood’s routine, lending a sense of normalcy to everyone’s lives.
- Keep the project running smoothly. You still have plenty of things to consider aside from setting time limits on work hours. For example, make sure all the neighbors in your immediate vicinity are told about the project beforehand. You should also tell your siding contractor that no construction materials are to be thrown into common garbage or trash receptacles. There are fees involved in doing so – and you’ll be the one paying them. It’s important that cleanup is done after every work day as well. This prevents your slice of the neighborhood from being an eyesore, and makes a huge difference to the safety of everyone.
Working With Ben’s Construction Inc
Your siding replacement not only has to be HOA-compliant, but done perfectly right as well. To ensure satisfactory results in your project, make sure to work with a siding contractor who has your best interests in mind. That will be Ben’s Construction Inc. We are a fully licensed, bonded and insured company that has provided Massachusetts homeowners with superior roofing and exterior renovation services for over 20 years. Whatever the siding system – fiber cement or vinyl – you can count on us to install it in a timely and efficient manner, allowing for no shortcuts or costly mistakes. Complete client satisfaction via unmatched workmanship and customer-centric service is what we’re all about.
Unrivaled Siding Replacement Services
Ben’s Construction Inc can manage your siding replacement needs. With our top-tier options and professional installers, we’ll have your project completed with exceptional results in no time. We proudly serve homeowners in Natick, MA, and other areas in Middlesex County. Get started on your siding upgrade by calling (508) 962-2417 or filling out this contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!