Before Your Start Home Improvements: Why Gaining Approval for Architectural Renovations is Pivotal

Before Your Start Home Improvements: Why Gaining Approval for Architectural Renovations is Pivotal

As a homeowner, taking your home from a blank slate to a one-of-a-kind masterpiece by adding your personalized touches to your home and yard through renovations, can be one of the most incredible journeys you ever embark on. 

From small projects such as adding a tree or changing the shutters to much larger projects like adding a patio system and planting beds to your property front lawn or building an addition on your home for a new office, there are infinite home improvement possibilities you may find yourself considering. Partnering with your HOA is a pivotal part of any renovation process and is a simple way to ensure you reach your home improvement goals as smoothly as possible. 

Collaborating with your Association manager, board and architectural committee members from the start allows you to focus more on the excitement of a renovation versus any potential pitfalls. They can make sure your project complies with your community regulations from the beginning of your renovation journey, getting your partnership off to a great start.

Home Modifications CC&R Guidelines: A Must Read

There are many things to consider when starting a home renovation project. It can feel overwhelming as you consider the many details around what is needed to complete your project. Even something as simple as selecting the perfect paint color or tree placement can cause anxiety during the renovation process. A great place to start your renovation research is to check your HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) for any specific landscaping or architectural change rules.  

Architectural Review Dos and Don’ts: Communicate Early On with Your HOA

There are a lot of things you should and should not do when you are completing a renovation. 

1. Don’t Start Before You Know if You Can Finish

One absolute “don’t,” is, don’t start any renovation project before taking the time to consult with your HOA board or architectural committee. Always keep in mind that a community’s aesthetics can protect and even increase home values, so partnering together early in the process can help maintain a top-tier overall community aesthetic, which is vital to your community as a whole. 

2. Do Check Your Governing Documents

Your community’s Governing documents will define the process to get approval for your project. Most community associations require that architectural plans be submitted and approved in advance of the project’s start. They will also often outline specifics like paint color, fence height, even allowed building materials in some cases.

3. Don’t Assume Anything

Even something as simple as painting your door to cover up scuffs and wear can lead to a violation notice if you aren’t following the architectural guidelines. And although most architectural guidelines apply to the outside of a home, inside changes can also be affected, if they violate policies on workers, noise, and more. It’s best not to assume anything. Avoid the hassle and the extra cost of doing a job over by making sure you have full approval for any work you do on your home.

4. Do Comply With Any Requests to Change

Remember that the ultimate goal is to maintain curb appeal and thus property values, so going through the proper channels for architectural requests is a valued and necessary service. If your manager or the architectural review committee ask for additional information or suggest a modification of your plans, work with them to get it right. It’s the best way to ensure your project gets approved.

Landscaping Renovations: A Plan of Action Is Necessary

It may be a row of perfectly placed trees or a beautiful fountain in the park that first enticed you to consider your neighborhood as a potential home. Regardless of which feature may have initially caught your eye, each one had to be planned, approved, and constructed in line with community standards and with your specific community’s aesthetic in mind. The architectural rules go a long way in establishing the aesthetic and functional standards of HOAs, which helps to improve and maintain property values. Start every project by first partnering with your HOA. This will ensure you have a plan of action that's approved and ready to go!

HOA Partnership: Reach Out & Connect Now

Knowing now that a partnership with your HOA is a pivotal piece in your successful renovation puzzle, consult your community’s governing documents to see what next steps are needed for your next home or landscaping renovation project. 

If your community needs help with architectural enforcement, Foster Premier is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how our management team can work with your Board to keep your community beautiful.