Your Guide to Condo Remodeling: What Are CC&Rs?

Did you know that it’s possible to remodel your condo? Much like renovation projects suitable for larger homes, there are plenty of pitfalls, considerations, and misconceptions about what you can and can’t (or shouldn’t) do! Condo remodeling season in coastal towns all over Delaware opens up after the peak summer season ends. In other words, it begins on Labor Day and continues until the following year’s Memorial Day. As such, we’ve assembled this guide to help you understand what the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions agreement entails! 

Follow All of the HOA Guidelines 

Condos typically resemble apartments more than single-family homes. Even so, there’s likely to be a homeowners association in place. So before you get your renovations underway, you’ll need to get the green light from the HOA. That way, you’ll be able to distinguish between “your property” and “communal property” that you’re prohibited from modifying. Depending on how long you’ve been a condo owner, you’re probably familiar with the CC&Rs or the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions agreement. These rules and regulations are part of the contractual language from when you bought your condo. Think of them as a form of leasing for when you rented a house or an apartment. Same general concept! 

Easily-Avoidable Renovation Mistakes 

Don’t forget to get the pre-approval process underway! Now then, suppose that your HOA has approved your condo remodeling request. You might be so excited that you overlook mistakes that are easy to make without being aware of them. Don’t let these easy-to-make renovation errors slow down your project. For instance, making faulty assumptions about the professionals you’re looking to hire is the wrong move. Make sure you get multiple estimates – in this case, shopping around is in your best interest!

What You Should Do Instead

Every HOA has a specifically outlined set of CC&R documents. When it comes to this paperwork, there is no single boilerplate template for it. Make sure you’re reading the most up-to-date version, and if you’re not sure, contact a board member as soon as possible. So once you are allowed to get the work started, hire licensed and certified contractors. They should also know the HOA rules! Oh, and be a good neighbor: tell your neighbors what to expect, especially with disruptions caused by noise.  

Contact Accessible Home Builders Today

Here at Accessible Home Builders, we’re proud to say we’ve been building and remodeling homes since 1994. We’ve serviced Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Selbyville, Seaford, Millsboro, Georgetown, Laurel, and more communities within Delaware in that time. We work to guarantee a high level of professionalism, dedication, and the use of quality materials to ensure our customers have the home they deserve.

To get in touch with us, give us a call at our office at 302-663-0464, send us an email at info@accessiblehomebuilders.com or visit us in person at 28412 DuPont Blvd, #103 Millsboro, DE 19966. Alternatively, give our satellite office a call at 302-628-9571, located at 500 W. Stein Hwy. Seaford, DE 19973. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and YouTube to stay updated on what we’re up to next!