How to Install Replacement Windows in San Diego if you Live in an HOA

Living in a house or condo that’s part of a homeowner’s association (HOA) is a reality for many San Diego residents. HOAs govern many neighborhoods that were built in the last few decades, and typically have a lot to say about what you can and can’t do with the exterior of your home. Many HOAs require that any exterior changes be approved by the board or an architectural committee. 

If you live in a home that’s part of an HOA in San Diego and want to install replacement windows, it’s important that you know the process that’s involved to get them approved. Some HOAs have requirements that your new windows must meet, while others just want to make sure the look your new windows fits within the style of the neighborhood. If you have access to your HOA’s guidelines, it may talk about replacement windows. At the very least, it should outline the process for making changes to your home’s exterior. 

Most of the time, the only thing the HOA will care about is the windows’ frame style and color. If every home in your HOA has windows with white frames and a block profile, that’s likely what you’ll need to install as well. If you have your heart set on windows with black frames and a brickmould profile, you may be out of luck. HOAs like to maintain a consistent look in their neighborhoods, so anything that deviates from the norm will likely not be approved. 

Many of the experienced replacement window companies in San Diego are familiar with how to work with local HOAs. They may have even worked with your specific HOA in the past and can tell you which windows fall under the HOAs guidelines. They will provide you with the documentation you will need to get your new windows approved and prepare you for the types of questions the approval committee will likely have. 

One San Diego replacement window company, BM Windows, has a location finder on their website, which allows you to see if the company has replaced windows in your neighborhood in the past. You simply input your address, and the location finder will produce a map that shows you any nearby homes in which their windows were installed. You can drive by those houses and see examples of the window style your HOA has already approved. If there’s a particular style you like, you can go to BM Windows with the address and tell them you want something similar installed in your home. 

Living in an HOA has its pros and cons, but when you work with a replacement window company that knows how to navigate the HOA approval process, replacing your home’s windows can be easy!

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