There are many benefits to condo living, such as the added security of living in a close community of neighbors, the use of amenities, and far less maintenance than single-family homes.

When it comes to condo renovations, however, there are more rules and regulations to adhere to than with a single-family home. So before embarking on condo renovations, it's essential to do your homework. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when planning a condo renovation.

Understand your HOA rules

The first place to start is to gain a clear understanding of what items within your condominium are considered yours, and which are considered to be common property under the rules of the HOA (Homeowner's Association). 

As Darren Robertson from Northern Virginia Home Pro states, “When buying a condo, you become legally bound to follow the rules set out by the HOA's Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions. It's imperative to familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure that the conditions are ones that you are comfortable living by and complying with.”

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) typically go into great detail when it comes to defining which property elements are solely the condominium owner's and which are considered common property. Once you are familiar with which property elements are yours to do as you please, it can help inform your decision on whether to renovate. 

For example, suppose you want to replace your unit's windows and get your heart set on a particular design, only to discover that any replacements must match the exterior aesthetic of the other windows in the complex? Even though windows are quite possibly your responsibility to maintain, there may still be rules in place that prevent you from veering away from the current design. 

Depending on how strict your HOA's rules are, there may be too many restrictions to warrant any large-scale renovation ideas, so it's imperative to check these first. 

Get everything in writing

Because failing to adhere to your HOA's CC&Rs can result in penalties and fines, it's essential that you get all approvals in writing before commencing work. Verbal go-aheads likely won't suffice if the board deems that you have pushed ahead with renovations without the proper approval. 

Schedule carefully 

Your HOA's CC&Rs should also outline the days and hours you are allowed to carry out renovations, which you must stick to. In addition, there may be restrictions on when you can bring construction materials into the building, particularly regarding the use of elevators and the availability of parking for contractors. 

Ultimately, the HOA is responsible for ensuring that a comfortable standard of living is maintained for all residents, so it is strongly advised to adhere to these rules diligently to avoid disagreement or penalty. 

When scheduling renovations in line with HOA regulations, it's also worth noting that you will likely need to exercise patience. For example, some boards may only meet once a month, so approvals for plans and renovation revisions may take longer than is ideal. Be sure to consider this when liaising with contractors. 

Ask for advice

Because condo modeling is a more complex process, it can help to ask for advice from those in the know. It may help to chat with any neighbors in the complex who have renovated their condo - ask for tips and advice, as well as contractor recommendations. Contractors whose work can be vouched for is invaluable as it is, but if they are already familiar with carrying out remodeling works in your building, all the better. 

That said, always carry out your own due diligence regarding the rules and what the common elements are. 

Work with a third party

If possible, consider working with a designer or tradesperson who can oversee the project. Not only will this make the project run more smoothly, but it will also help avoid materials turning up at random times, stacked outside, and generally causing chaos. Given the challenges of carrying out a renovation in a condominium complex, it pays to have the project carefully coordinated by one third-party contractor. 

Lowering your lighting

Many condominiums have cement ceilings, meaning that you won't be able to make any changes that require drilling into them. 

This can make moving fixtures tricky, but there is a solution. Many condo remodels incorporate dropped ceilings to allow for new components to be installed. Adding dropped ceiling panels will enable you to add or move recessed lighting fixtures and make other changes, such as installing a new hood fan. 

Final thoughts

Condo renovations can be stressful and complicated, so it really does pay to be as organized as possible, both in advance and throughout the project. First and foremost, know your HOA rules, get advice, plan and plan some more, exercise patience, and, if at all possible, arrange to stay somewhere else while the work is being done.