If your neighborhood or housing development has a Homeowners’ Association (HOA), it most likely has a set of rules or by-laws that determine what you can and can't do to your property. HOA rules aim to create uniformity around the houses in a neighborhood. They also ensure that homeowners maintain their houses and property well. While there are definitely benefits to living with an HOA, it can be challenging when you want to embark on a home improvement project, such as installing a fence.
Before you can put up a fence, you need to get approval from the HOA. Here's how to put together a proposal that will wow your HOA and everything you need to know before you start your privacy fence project.
Getting your fence project approved by your HOA might be easier than you think, especially if you follow the rules. Follow these steps when creating your proposal.
You want the HOA to approve your fence plans the first time you submit your proposal. The number one thing to do to increase the chance of approval is to follow the rules to the letter. If the HOA says no wood fences, don't submit a plan for a wooden fence. If there's a height limit of four feet, don't submit a plan for a five- or six-foot fence.
The more evidence you have to support your proposal, the better. It might be worthwhile to draw up a site plan that shows exactly where the fence will be and how it will affect other structures nearby. Your HOA might require a site plan when you submit the proposal.
Finally, submit everything the HOA requests when you send in your proposal. Forgetting a document, such as a site plan, can delay the process or lead to a denial. It's also a good idea to give yourself plenty of time from submitting the proposal to when you want to install the fence, as your HOA might take a while to review and approve it.
Your HOA may require a certified site plan before your fence project begins. If that's the case, you'll need to arrange for an architect or surveyor to visit your property before drawing up the plan. A certified site plan will have the surveyor or architect's signature on it.
HOA Fence Company has plenty of experience working with HOAs in the Greater Indianapolis area. If you're considering installing a fence and need to submit a proposal to your HOA first, we can help. Contact us today to set up a consultation.