Summer is drawing to a close and you are starting to notice the effects that the sun and heat have had on your home and how much a paint project would improve the house. However, before you begin picking out paint colors and setting timelines, let Vivax Pros guide you through the HOA paint approval process.
What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?
The property you own may be within a community, subdivision, or condominium that has an organization in place for the purposes of creating and enforcing rules, stipulations, and requirements for the properties and its residents. If you purchased a property within the HOA’s jurisdiction you automatically become members and are required to pay dues, commonly known as HOA fees.
Example – at some point you may decide you want to change or update the exterior color of your home. If you are within an HOA community, you will need to obtain the proper approvals to do so. However, before you start the process there are a few things you should be aware of to make the process smoother and more efficient.
1). Determine if your HOA has a property management company – not all HOA’s employ external resources and understanding who you will be working with directly will help you build your plan.
2). If your HOA does have a property management company, it is worthwhile to research the company that handles maintenance in your community. This information can usually be found on your monthly HOA statement.
It’s important to understand that the property management company is separate from the HOA and is responsible for adhering to and enforcing the HOA’s policies, act as a liaison between the homeowner and the board, and handle ongoing maintenance and day to day operations.
3). Reach out to the property management company to discuss your exterior home improvement project. Make sure you ask for information around the approvals process as well as any forms that need to be completed. The experts at Vivax Pros recommend you read thru the forms to make sure you understand all protocols and requirements around the process. If there is anything that is confusing or unclear, the property management company is there to address questions.
It would also be helpful in moving the process along to have a list of questions for your HOA; below are the most common:
Is there a list of approved colors to choose from and where can that list be found?
How often does the HOA require you to paint your home?
Are there protocols your chosen paint provider must adhere to while working on your home?
How often does the committee meet and how long does the approval process take?
Are there requirements, and what are they? (completed forms, fees, test paint patches, draw-downs, etc)
Once approved, are you required to execute the process within a certain time frame?
It is vitally important that you obtain the appropriate approvals before starting your paint project. If you don’t follow the established steps set forth by your HOA you are at risk of incurring fines as well as potentially having to pay to correct any missed steps or errors. There could also be additional fees associated with deadlines to correct the project. It may seem like an arduous and time-consuming process but will save you time and money in the end; be sure to use the Vivax Pros HOA paint guide to avoid this.
Vivax Pros is here to be your partner thru this process. Our team of Project Coordinators is experienced working directly with HOAs and can be your resource thru the approvals process. Our partnership with Sherwin Williams guarantees that we will use the finest-quality paint on your home. If you are ready to start the process of making your house a Vivax Home, call us today!