HOA Inspection Service: What You Need to Know

You may not know that many HOAs are recommended, or even required, to have an onsite inspection as part of their reserve study. These inspections are an important part of ensuring quality association management and can help protect property values and avoid unexpected expenses.

 

What is an HOA Inspection?

An HOA inspection thoroughly reviews the condition of the association, and is generally focused on three areas:

  1. Preventative Maintenance – inspecting and recommending the repair or replacement of common components, such as light bulbs, fasteners, fencing, etc.
  2. Facility Maintenance – identifying issues in structure and function on buildings and amenities (i.e. shingles, gutters, pool, clubhouse, etc.).
  3. CC&Rs – assisting the Architectural Control Committee in inspecting for non- compliance with association rules and regulations, such as parking or home   aesthetic violations.

Are Inspections Required?

A few states require regular site inspections by law. For HOAs in states with no legal requirement, it is recommended to perform an inspection at least every three to five years. However, this is left to the discretion of the HOA board. Needed frequency may also depend on variables such as extreme weather conditions, the age of the association, and major projects or renovations within the association.

Who Should Conduct the Inspection?

While board members have the option of conducting their own inspection, many choose instead to budget for a third-party independent service provider. HOA inspection companies can work closely with the board and/or the association manager to conduct regular, thorough inspections and make recommendations.

Cost Considerations

Hiring an outside party to conduct your inspection will set you back as little as $1,500 to as much as $10,000. Cost will depend on the size of your community, its layout and amenities, and the level of expertise offered by the inspection company.

While it may seem like a big expense, if done properly and in a timely manner, an inspection can save you even more in costs associated with potential lawsuits or significant repairs due to neglect.

 

Regular property inspections are essential to the overall well-being of your HOA by ensuring that members have a safe, desirable place to live. Spectrum Association Management can assist you in ensuring a smooth inspection process as part of our commitment to making the job of running an HOA refreshingly different. Contact us today for a free HOA management quote for your Arizona or Texas HOA community!