Yes, in almost all cases, homeowners like you in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads must obtain approval from their HOA for a roof replacement.
Unless you don’t have an HOA, which is pretty rare these days. As your local roofing contractor in Virginia Beach, we are very familiar with HOAs and can help you through the process.
What is the HOA approval process for a roof replacement like?
Everything starts with a free roof assessment from us.
We visit your home at a time that is best for you and analyze your roof. We make recommendations and discuss possibilities with you.
Let’s say your asphalt shingle roof is 20 years old. You’re tired of the growing incidents of roof damage from coastal storms. So instead of getting a bunch of small roof repairs in Virginia Beach, you opt for a full roof replacement.
Our roof replacements include replacing roofing decking, updating your protection— the whole works! Your new roof will be more resilient and require fewer repairs in the near future.
But we have so many shingle types and styles to choose from! You want to replace your bland, grey-colored shingles with something of higher quality and better aesthetics. So, you select Timberline shingles (architectural shingles), which hold up better in extreme weather conditions. Secondly, you want shingle colors much more in line with your style. Something like Williamsburg Slate, Appalachian Sky, or Cedar Falls.
Once you’ve finalized the plan with your roofing company, you need to submit paperwork to your HOA.
As a roofing company in Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area, we’ve seen a diverse range of processes. However, the process can usually be found within the HOA’s governing documents. They are often called the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
You must submit an application or formal request for approval of major exterior work before the project begins. In our experience, it’s pretty straightforward. They ask about the type of materials, colors, contractor information, and timeline for the project.
We are more than happy to provide that information and help you out. The actual roof replacement takes around 1-2 days. However, the entire process takes around 1-2 weeks. This is because there’s more official documentation going on in the background.
We have to fill out various permits from the local government. And those permits change from locality to locality. For example, Hampton Roads does not require permits for residential re-roofing, unlike Virginia Beach. But both require permits for replacing roof decking.
The approval process should only take a few days.
What happens if I don’t get approval from my HOA?
Say, for the sake of example, that your HOA did not like your color choice for your new shingles. Part of the HOA’s job is to “maintain community standards.” They probably want all the houses to be of a similar style to maintain property values.
In this case, they may request that you change the color of your new shingles. Instead of Williamsburg Slate, you choose the darker Appalachian Sky. All you need to do is revise your proposal and resubmit it.
What happens if I ignore my HOA and don’t bother to get approval?
Incur the wrath of your HOA at your own risk. Failing to comply with your HOA may result in fines or legal actions. The absolute worst-case scenario is that they force you to undo the unapproved work at your own expense. Thankfully, that extreme measure is very rare. The most common outcome is a fine.