LePage and Sons Roofing LLC

Planning your dream house may seem easy on paper, but making it a reality can be a more challenging. If you live in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you will need to obtain their approval before proceeding with a renovation. This may include the style of your new roof replacement and the color of your roof shingles. 

The HOA approval process may be a source of irritation for some homeowners. In some cases, the HOA approval can take weeks, which may delay your home remodeling project. To help you understand the role of HOA in your renovation plans, check out this helpful guide from LePage and Sons Roofing LLC. In this post, we will explain the purpose and approval procedure of the HOA. Also, we will share tips on how to get the HOA to approve your roofing project as efficiently and quickly as possible. 

What Is the Purpose of HOA?

First off, let’s discuss the necessity of the HOA in your community. The homeowners need the approval of the HOA to maintain the architectural standards of the neighborhood. It’s important that your community has architectural harmony. As such, the HOA approval process helps preserve the visual cohesion of the community through various renovations, replacements and repairs made by homeowners. 

If you live in areas that overlook the beautiful ocean and mountains, the HOA approval process also protects access to these features. For instance, should your new solar panel boards block your neighbor’s mountain top view, it may create a major disturbance. Your solar roofing contractor would then probably advise you to install them somewhere else so as not to ruin your neighbor’s view. This is why the HOA review board has to verify that your renovations follow the community standards. 

You may think that only large structural modifications require approval from the HOA. However, the process deals with minor improvements, too. The installation of new windows or gutters should also be approved by the HOA review board. Although these don’t have a huge impact on the overall look of your community, the HOA will still want to ensure they work with your neighborhood’s aesthetics. If they stand out too much, your HOA will most likely not approve them. 

When neighborhoods are properly maintained and aesthetically coordinated, they are seen as more exclusive and desirable to live in. For this reason, the property values of the surrounding homes benefit from the standards put up by your HOA. Thanks to the HOA, your neighborhood maintains a high community architectural standard for future homeowners. 

What Is the HOA Approval Process?

The filling up and submitting of HOA approval forms can be a source of discord between the HOA and homeowners. Thus, before anything else, the HOA review board members should take the time to explain to residents how the HOA approval process will benefit the community, including their homes, even if they are not the ones doing the renovation at the time. 

When it comes to the approval process, the first document that you have to submit is the request form. This should include the full detailed description of the proposed improvement or modification, whether it is an emergency roof repair or shingle replacement. It should also contain the location of the property, as well as the paint color or finish and materials that will be used. 

The HOA committee will collect the information needed to evaluate all the proposed renovations forwarded to them. There are several documents they may require from you, depending on the type of modifications you require. They will check if your planned renovation is fully consistent with the community’s Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) and other governing documents. 

The CC&Rs were likely given to you at the time you close on your home. These documents cover how the HOA operates and what rules the homeowners must obey. Keep in mind that these are legal documents and are legally enforceable by the HOA. Be sure to read the ones that refer to areas of property restrictions. That section should give you an idea of what is or isn’t acceptable in your community. 

How Can You Get the HOA to Approve Your Roof Color?

When planning your roof replacement, you may wonder whether you need to have the HOA to approve your roof color. The short answer is: yes. The HOA has to approve the color of your roof to ensure that your home won’t stick out. To help you get your roof colors approved by the HOA as quickly as possible, we will share some tips you may want to consider. 

Get To Know Your HOA

This is especially important if it’s your first time living in an HOA community. If you are not familiar with the management structure, you need to know the HOA Board and HOA Management Company. The HOA Board members usually volunteers in the neighborhood, while the HOA Management Company is an outside vendor contracted by the Board. These two entities have different functions. The Board makes the final decisions that affect property values, whereas the Management Company enforces the rules. 

Check Pre-approved Colors and Options

You may want to ask the HOA if they can give you a color selection based on their experience. If there is a list of colors and materials or patterns that are already approved, you’re in luck. But it’s not always that easy. Even if the color is pre-approved, you have to check whether it’s identical to your neighbors. The HOA will likely not accept your request if the roof color too closely resembles another home nearby. 

If there are no pre-approved colors, you might want to choose one that expresses your personality. However, it’s important not to deviate too far from the norm of your community. Remember that the best roof color stands out while also fitting in. You may also want to take a drive around your neighborhood to get an idea of the ideal color scheme. 

Help the HOA Envision Your Idea

Adding solar panel boards on your roof is a great way to save energy, but the members of your HOA review board may not be familiar with the technique. As such, your solar roofing contractor would probably advise you to show the committee your plans through photos and drawings as a way to convince them. The same goes for the color of your roof. To help them visualize your idea, you should build a strong case that gives them a reason to approve the roof color you want. For example, you may bring sample photos of other homes that display your desired roof. 

Learn to Wait and Be Patient

You may want to finish your roof replacement as soon as possible, but all good things take time. Many HOA committees are made up of volunteers, which means they might meet outside of regular work hours. If you try to rush your HOA in any way, it may not work well on your side. Therefore, you have to be patient and wait. Learn to be a team player, and you will find that your requests will be met with good favor.

Now that you know the importance of the HOA for your roof renovation, be sure to adhere to their proper rules and guidelines. For more roofing inquiries, get in touch with us at LePage and Sons Roofing LLC. We offer quality emergency roof repair services and more. Call us today at (508) 295-6483 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment.