Finding the right level of restrictions for remodels is important to maintain balance between property values, livability, and pride of ownership.


the association. Since this will take some time, be up-front with owners about how long it will take to get an answer back. The owner will usually be charged a submittal fee and/ or reimbursement of any professional bills connected with the review of their project.


Once a project is approved, meet with the contractor team to review the details of the implementation. Provide a summary of contractor conditions/restrictions in a handout specific to your association. For example, what are the acceptable hours of work? Is work allowed on weekends? On holidays? Can they leave leftover cardboard in your recycle bins? Are water-based, low VOC products required for all coatings? What are the contractors’ insurance requirements naming the association as an additional insured? There are many aspects that can be covered in such a summary.


Avoiding Owner-to-Owner Disputes


Flooring replacement and the measuring of sound transmission of the new flooring is critical to get right in order to avoid owner-to-owner disputes and reduce the threat of lawsuits. The agreed-upon standard for sound transmission in residential settings was developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is recognized by architects and acoustic engineers across the country. New flooring manufacturers can provide testing data for general sound levels (STC) and impact sounds (IIC) which can be compared against those HUD standards. For custom testing of new flooring systems, acoustic consultants are locally available to advise you. If you don’t already have it, adopt sound transmission standards that make sense for your association.


For custom testing of new flooring systems, acoustic consultants are locally available to advise you.


Finding the right level of restrictions for remodels is important to maintain balance between property values, livability, and pride of ownership. If the remodeling policies are too restrictive, there will be fewer projects


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resulting in units and homes that look “dated”, thereby adversely affecting property values. On the other end of the spectrum, if remodeling is unregulated, the livability for neighbors becomes problematic with too much noise, dust, and disputes! Somewhere between those extremes is the right mixture of policies that will work for your association, so find it! Good remodel policies and practical administration will improve property values and enhance quality of life in every condominium.


Good remodel policies and practical administration will improve property values and enhance quality of life in every condominium.


Remodels During Covid-19


` Follow the Governor’s and local public health officials’ guidance regarding construction activities.


` Stay current with the mask recommendations issued by public health officials.


` Some contractors are better than others with COVID-19 mitigation measures and safe work practices, so ask owners to add that to their selection criteria.


` Have all contractors sign-in every day, a good policy at any time, even more so when contact tracing may be called upon.


` Take temperature checks of all workers - prohibit access for anyone with a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees.


` Limit contractor exposure to residents in the common areas - have them park vehicles away from others, use the service elevator only, and take their work breaks inside the work space.


` Set-up access to the job site with keys, fobs, or temporary gate codes in advance, so they have fewer interactions with staff.


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