Whether you are replacing your roof due to storm damage or simply old age, if you live in a neighborhood that is managed by a homeowners’ association (“HOA”) there are some extra steps you will have to complete. Many HOAs have guidelines, and sometimes restrictions, on the roof material type and color options that you are allowed to install on your property.
The team at Sol Vista Roofing has helped homeowners within HOA communities navigate the process. Based on those experiences we created this guide to help HOA clients navigate their roof replacement more smoothly.
Here are HOA roof replacement best practices:
- Get started early – Most HOAs are governed by a resident volunteer board of directors. Because they are busy volunteers, they may require more time to review and approve any needed design committee or architectural review submissions. When you think it might be time to replace your roof, send your HOA president a quick message to make sure you don’t miss any steps.
- Get the pre-approved roofing list – Some Denver-area HOAs keep a list of pre-approved colors and material types for roofing within the community. Knowing this information in advance can make it easier to select your new roof material and color without having to go through review or request exceptions.
- Determine what your existing roof is – It can help to know what your existing roof is in case there is any dispute over roof material choices. If you owned the home during the prior roof replacement, check your records for the roof material (manufacturer, color, and style). In many cases HOAs will allow residents to replace their roof with a similar style without needing a long review and approval process.
- Talk with the design review committee – If possible, it will help to meet with the design committee (or “architectural review committee”) to understand their process for approving new roofing materials. We find that most design committees appreciate being included in the process as early as possible so they can help avoid potential issues with material selection.
- Take the HOA approval process seriously – You likely signed an HOA covenant agreement or contract when you purchased your home, which obligates you to follow the HOA design rules. When HOA residents take the HOA approval lightly, or attempt to go around the process, it can create more headaches, delays, and expenses than when following the HOA guidelines.
By sticking by these five tips, you will more easily get through the HOA roof replacement process.
Hail Resistant Requirement
Lately, we have noticed a trend whereby HOAs are requiring class IV impact resistant roofing materials in their community. If your HOA is one of these, we can help! Some of our favorite impact-resistant roof materials are F-Wave Revia shingles, Boral stone-coated steel, DaVinci tile, and don’t forget about Owens Corning impact-resistant asphalt shingles.
Shared-wall HOA communities
If your HOA (and not you personally) is responsible for the expense of maintaining and replacing the roof, Sol Vista can still help. We have set up maintenance and repair agreements with several large HOAs, and have been trusted with large-scale HOA roof replacements. For centrally-managed HOA roofing projects, we have another best-practice guide that we encourage you to check out.
Time to have a roofing professional assess your HOA roof? Contact the team at Sol Vista today to get started.
