Repair Contractors for Condos
Several years into the life of a condo complex it becomes time to replace roofs, replace siding, replace windows, rebuilt decks, paint and do other major renovations. The problem that condo homeowners run into is affordability. Oftentimes the HOA comes up short on cash to afford the major renovation because not enough funds were collected monthly over the years from the HOA dues.
Most condo owners don’t want to pay high HOA dues so when the big repairs come they have to look for financing of sorts and now they really have to pay their part of the financing. So, when it’s all said and done they surely want to find affordable options and an affordable contractor to help with the renovation project.
They may have ordered some type of professional inspection report saying the best option is to remove all siding and windows and replace them. What I am saying is that if you don’t have the funds to replace all of the siding than just replace the rotted siding. Many times the siding is still serviceable for years to come and you can simply replace the “bad boards” and than spend some extra on painting prep and give it a good 2 coat paint job with high quality paint. I am not saying this will solve all problems but it is often a solution if 85% or 90% of the siding is still sound. If you can afford the complete overhaul than by all means go that direction. Having newer windows will offer savings on utilities, they are attractive and in my opinion can help raise the value of the units.
If you hire a good and affordable contractor – you can’t go wrong by completely replacing the exterior envelope of an old building with new components – roof, siding, windows, paint, trim and etc.. – if you can afford it. If the condo complex cannot afford it than ask contractors to give you a bid for the bare minimum that will solve problems but just won’t be a complete new renovation of the entire exterior envelope.
No Tags
2 responses so far ↓
1 Alec // Nov 16, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Thanks for this information about repairs on condominiums. It seems there is a mindset to rebuild the entire condo complex when often times a partial remodel is all that is necessary.
For instance, rather than changing out the entire envelope – do you really need to change the siding? Is there only minor damage that can be repaired and than simply paint the complex? Or, is the siding so bad that it really does need to be replaced. At least consider the options before assuming it all has to be replaced.
2 Tom Sikes // Aug 21, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I live in a Condo in El Cajon Calif. My unit is upstairs with attached unit down stairs, for the last 5 months the assc. has been dealing with a contractor to fix the leaking roof of the unit downstairs that attached to my unit. the condo has set several times for us to leave are windows unlocked so just in case they may need a place to work, and this was after the contractor had inspected the roof from the outside. so after the contractor failrd to come and start the job after serval attemps, finally they come take out a fiked rake type window,take out my inside of my condo’s finishing, cut plastic and cut the existing window frame and replaced it wih a godly sight of caukling and gaps of air no told us this was going to happen and at the first time the contractor came said the assc might have to replace the window will they didn’t and no one even tryed to explain the micky mouse job that they started. I have picture of this when I came home what can I do? and i was under the expectations that the roof line needed the work, We’ve been looking at plastic for about 4-5 months on the roof, and now this. is it not a state law that when old windows are pulled out that hey need to be replaced with newer upgradeed windows to meet code? HELP ME PLEASE 619-971-8305
Leave a Comment