Special thanks to Coated Metals Group for today's guest post!
Before you start getting nervous about submitting your new roof for approval, remember the Homeowners Association is on your side. There is a preconceived notion that HOA’s are strict and controlling. While some HOA’s may have gotten a bad rap, most do more good than evil.
The Purpose of a Homeowners Association
You bought your house because the neighborhood looked nice, right? Well, you can thank the HOA for maintaining the neighborhood’s curb appeal by creating and enforcing the covenants. They have ensured your neighbor doesn’t paint their siding teal and have a flock of plastic pink flamingos in the front yard. So remember, the purpose of the HOA is to keep your neighborhood looking nice for years to come.
What Guidelines Do You Need to Follow?
The first step in submitting your metal roof for approval with your HOA is to obtain a copy of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Every HOA has different CC&Rs so it is imperative you go through them carefully. Review the documents to ensure homes do not require a predetermined material or color for the roof. If the material and color you have picked are already on the approved list, your work will be easy.
Paperwork and Deadlines
The next step is to make sure you know which forms will be required to fill out and when they are due. Most HOA’s only meet once a month. Miss a deadline and you could be waiting an extra 30 days to start your project. Along with the forms, it is helpful to have a sample of the material you will be using and the plans from the contractor.
What if Your Material is not on the Approved List?
If a metal roof or a color you selected are not on the approved list, you may have a little more work to do. You will have the same forms to fill out, along with some additional ones. Samples of the material will be required.
Help from Your Contractor
It can be helpful to go an extra step and work with your contractor on the alternative material submission. He may have worked with this HOA before and have a few tips for submitting. He may be able to provide you with photos of other homes similar to yours with a metal roof in the same color. A HOA may be more receptive to approving an alternative material or color if they can visualize how the house will look when it is completed.
Questions to ask your Homeowners Association:
• What do I need to provide when submitting my roof for approval? This could save you a lot of time and stress trying to chase down missing items before your deadline runs out
• What kind of timeline are we looking at? Ask the HOA when they meet and how long it typically takes them to make a decision.
Keep your Contractor in the Loop
It is important to keep your contractor up to date with the approval process and timeline. You don’t want him purchasing any materials for your roof prior to getting approval from your HOA. You could get stuck paying for materials you can’t use.
If all goes well, you will get the go ahead for starting your new metal roof! Dealing with a Homeowner's Association may seem like extra work, but knowing your neighborhood will continue to have great curb appeal for years to come is worth a few extra steps.
