Working with a Home Owners Association
Before you start getting nervous about submitting your roof for approval, remember the home owners association is on your side. There is a preconceived notion that home owners associations are strict and controlling. While some home owners associations may have gotten a bad rap, most do more good than evil. 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 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.
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 their roof. If the material and color you have picked are already on the approved list, your work will be easy.
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.
If a metal roof or a color you selected are not on the approved list, you may have a little bit more work. You will still have the same forms to fill out and the same samples and plans to submit. It can be helpful to go an extra step and work with your contractor on the 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 a similar color. An HOA may be more receptive to approving an alternative material or color if they can visualize what the house will look like when it is completed. If you are not sure what else you should bring to your project, ask the HOA. Asking questions prior to submitting your project could save you a lot of time and stress trying to chase down missing items you need before your deadline runs out.
When submitting your project, ask the HOA about their timeline. Ask them when they meet next and how long it will take for them to make their decision. It is important to keep your contractor in the loop on this part. You don’t want him purchasing any materials for your roof prior to getting approval from your HOA. You don’t want to be 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 home owners 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.