Can You Convert One Bedroom Into Two in Your Condo?

If you’re considering adding an extra room to your condo, don’t be too quick to begin construction.

Before any big remodel project, especially one that involves converting one bedroom into two, you must first receive the go-ahead.

 

Why you need HOA Approval

Homeowner associations (HOAs) are responsible for maintaining and managing condo communities. These associations have tight control over establishing rules that unit owners must follow, especially when it comes to remodeling.

Before beginning any renovations, including adding an extra room to your condo,  it is critical to examine your HOA’s condo renovation rules to see what is permissible. You can find these guidelines laid out in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Many CC&Rs require board approval before moving forward with any structural remodeling.

Homeowners associations generally try to grant unit owners as much freedom as possible, as long as they don’t upset or violate the rights of community members. The rules are in place to keep the community as safe and peaceful as possible.

If you disregard or violate your HOA rules and regulations, be prepared to face fines or legal action.

 

What is Considered a Structural Change in the City

If condo owners want to add or remove a wall within their unit, they need permission from the HOA because this type of remodeling is considered a structural change.

So what exactly is considered a structural change in a condo?

In many HOA bylaws, when defining structural change, a standard clause reads, “Nothing shall be done in any unit or on the common areas which may impair the structural integrity of the building or which may structurally change the building.”

Essentially, these definitions mean that a structural change involves changing your condo unit’s original floor plan and knocking down walls.

Anytime you change your unit’s layout, you need to run your design plans by HOA to ensure the safety of your unit and the entire building. Many associations ask homeowners to file an architect’s plan for any alterations on a unit.

If you add an extra room to your condo, this will involve changing the original floorplan of your unit and knocking down walls, therefore this renovation constitutes a structural change.

While it is likely that your HOA will allow this type of structural change, they need to be in the loop of this process, especially if it will be a loud and possibly disruptive project.

If you are serious about adding an extra room to your condo, don’t delay speaking with your HOA. The quicker you can get approval, the sooner you can begin your dream home renovations!

What Are Condo Flooring Requirements?

When it comes to renovating a condo, be prepared for more restrictions than single-family home projects.

Because condos feature multi-family housing, the homeowner associations (HOA) have to take other residents and the building as a whole into consideration when implementing rules.

One of these HOA regulations includes condo flooring requirements. The Luxury Living team is here to share everything you need to know about understanding flooring rules and choosing the right floors for your home.

 

HOA Flooring Rules

Homeowner associations exist primarily to maintain and regulate a community. While the HOA doesn’t have a say in everything unit owners do, they do have a voice when it comes to flooring decisions.

Hard-surfaced floors can lead to noise nuisances and frustrations from the downstairs neighbors, so HOAs implement condo flooring requirements that help minimize noise complaints and keep residents happy.

Homeowner associations will typically include any restrictions on hard surface flooring in the rules and reference sections of the Code, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&Rs). There may also be an adoption of guidelines as to what an owner can do to get approval for hard surface flooring if possible.

What happens if you ignore your HOAs flooring rules? Well, the board may subject you to fines, liens, or even legal action.

So if you have been considering tearing out that old carpet and replacing it with beautiful hardwood, be sure to run it by your HOA first before making any moves.

 

Best Flooring for Condos

Narrowing down the best flooring for your condo can be tricky.

While there are plenty of options, laminate tends to be a popular choice. This material looks just as beautiful as hardwood but comes at a more affordable price with soundproof qualities.

Vinyl also provides one of the quietest flooring option to ensure peace and quiet for you and your neighbors. Depending on the specific vinyl material you chose, this flooring choice can range anywhere from about $.40 per square foot for thin sheet vinyl, to $3.00 or so per square foot for luxury vinyl planks.

If you are looking for comfy and quiet, carpet is another safe route to take. This quiet flooring for condos is known for its sound-absorbing qualities from the fibers, as well as the mats the carpet installed over. Some HOAs may even require a certain percentage of condo floors to be carpet.

If you are teaming up with a contractor to spearhead your condo renovations, they are likely to provide good advice when it comes to choosing the best flooring for your condo. They also will have a thorough understanding of your condo’s CC&Rs to ensure the floor are compliant with the HOA’s rules and regulations.

Understanding and following your condo’s flooring requirements will help keep you, your neighbors, and your HOA happy during your next renovation project!

How to Use Condo Remodeling Contractors

Remodeling a condo can be extensive and exhausting. To save yourself from overcommitting to a DIY project, consider teaming up with a professional condo contractor.

Leaving some of the hard work in the hands of an expert will help ensure that the vision for your space comes to life.

 

Residential Contractor Condo Work

Relying on condo remodeling contractors helps optimize the outcome of your home renovations. It also saves you time and stress associated with home improvement projects.

Residential contractors have the experience and credentials to flip your space, taking one more worry off your plate.

Additionally, these contractors are familiar with how homeowner associations operate and how to navigate HOA’s Codes, Conditions, and Restriction (CC&Rs). This is important because every condo HOA has its own unique set of rules and regulations that dictate what can and can’t be done during home improvement projects.

Unlike single-family homes, condos present a limited, finite, and shared space. Contractors understand how to work with this unique space and within the restrictions of multi-family housing.

 

Finding Condo Contractors

Before teaming up with any contractor, you need to find a good fit.

Narrowing down a suitable contractor involves finding one who you trust and fits in in your condo renovation budget.

Get recommendations. Speak with local real estate experts or friends to help find someone with a good track record. If no one in your circle of friends has a referral, check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of reliable members in your area.

If you think you’ve found your potential hire, be sure to meet or an in-person interview before moving forward.

Before hiring anyone, write up a contract that details every phase of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn’t pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers.

 

Condo Renovation Budget

Financing condo renovations can be tricky and costly.

Before beginning any phase of remodeling, establish a condo renovation budget. It’s important to decide in advance how much money you have to work with. Also, be sure to stick with this budget as closely as you can during the process.

If you decide to hire a contractor, be sure to know how much you have to spend on this hire. Consider setting up an agreed upon payment plan before the work begins.

With a better understanding of residential condo contractor work, that renovation project you’ve been dreaming of may not be far from reality. Find the perfect contractor today!

What You Need to Know About Condo Renovation Rules

If you are considering remodeling your condo, you want to make sure that you are up to speed with all the rules and regulations before moving forward with any project.

The Luxury Living team is here to break down the major condo renovation rules that any unit owner should keep in mind.

Renovating a Condo Rules

Homeowner associations (HOAs) are responsible for managing condo communities. These HOAs have tight control over establishing rules that unit owners must follow, especially when it comes to remodeling.

Due to the fact that condos are attached to other units, condo owners are often under many more regulations when it comes to remodeling a unit than single-family homeowners.

Before beginning any renovations, it is critical to examine your HOA’s condo renovation rules to see what is permissible. You can find these guidelines laid out in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

If you don’t follow your HOA’s condo rules, the board may subject you to fees or court time, neither of which are fun to deal with. So to avoid these repercussions proactively stay informed and in accord with the CC&Rs.

Can you Remove Walls in a Condo?

Many condo owners remodeling inquire if they can remove a wall in their condo. While the answer is generally  ‘yes’, the unit owner must first go to the HOA board for approval.

Because condo units share walls and floors with neighbors, remodeling requires consideration of the building as a whole.

The homeowners association wants to be sure that the removal of your interior walls won’t result in damage of the condo or the integrity of the building.

What is Considered a Structural Change in a Condo?

Unit owners require permission to remove a wall is because it is considered a structural change.

So what exactly is a structural change in a condo?

In many HOA bylaws, when defining structural change, a standard clause reads, “Nothing shall be done in any unit or on the common areas which may impair the structural integrity of the building or which may structurally change the building.”

Based on this definition, a structural change involves changing your condo unit’s original floor plan and knocking down walls.

Therefore, if you are interested in changing up your condo’s floor plan, be sure to get the go-ahead from your board before beginning remodeling.

With a better understanding of the rules involved in renovating a condo, hopefully you feel more confident moving forward with your next remodeling plans.

If you’re looking for a new home to add a little TLC, you came to the right place. Our experienced brokers are well versed in the Chicago market and can help you find a home to add your own personal touches to or a brand new move-in ready construction.

Need some additional renovation ideas for your condo? Follow the link below!

Condo Renovation Ideas For Every Room

Condo Renovations That Improve Your Home Value

If you are considering selling your condo be sure to first maximize the value of your home.

Renovations provide an excellent opportunity to upgrade your space and improve the worth of a home.

The Luxury Living team is here to share some worthwhile condo renovations that increase home value and optimize the return on your investment.

 

How Renovations Increase Value of Condos

Home improvement projects prove to be one of the best ways to boost home value.

By remodeling your condo, you can improve the functionality and beauty of your property, which ultimately increases the selling price of your home.

If you can list your condo at a higher price than what you purchased it for, you may be able to pocket a significant amount of money once the deal closes.

However, to ensure a return on investment, it is critical to chose your renovations wisely. You want to be sure that the cost of enhancing your property will pay off when you resell.

 

Best Condo Upgrades

When deciding on remodeling projects to pursue, you want to consider the desires of prospective purchasers.

Here are some of the best condo upgrades to entice potential buyers and  improve your home value:

 

  • Kitchen: According to real estate experts, the kitchen is the most significant upgrade. Many new home buyers rank ‘modern kitchen’ as a top priority in their house hunt. Invest in refitting this area with brand new quartz countertops, refitted cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.
  • Hardwood Floors: Floors are also a major selling point for your home. While hardwood floors may cost more out of pocket, they prove to be a worthwhile investment by helping units sell faster and for higher prices. There’s nothing worse than bad, outdated carpet.
  • Bathroom: Similarly to the kitchen, the bathroom speaks volumes to potential homebuyers. It is worth your dime to upgrade the cabinets and other features throughout your bathroom. Good news is that these upgrades tend to run at a much lower cost compared to kitchen renovations.
  • Paint: Even a fresh paint job can work wonders for increasing the value of a condo. Play it safe and stick with a neutral color scheme. Whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors and appeal to most homebuyers.

 

Should you Renovate?

For any homeowner planning to resell, renovations may be the key to increasing your condo’s value.

If your condo unit is looking outdated or in need of a structural change, then renovating may be a no brainer.

Even if your condo is in good condition, simple changes, such as a fresh paint job, or new appliances may lead to greater interest and higher asking prices.

Consider meeting with a local real estate expert or contractor to get advice on which renovations are right for you.

Now that you have insight into remodeling and renovations that improve home value, it may be time to begin a project of your own today!

Can You Renovate a Condo?

Condo renovations can help transform a house into your dream home. These projects also have the potential to increase the value of your property drastically.

If you’ve questioned whether or not you can renovate a condo, then keep reading.

Whether you have experience with home renovations or this is a new venture, rest assured that the Luxury Living team is here to share how to remodel a condo and what you need to know beforehand.

 

Condo Renovations That Improve Your Home Value

Renovations have great potential to maximize your property’s worth. Improving your condo’s value can help ensure a return on investment if you decide to resell your property.

Check out some of the best condo upgrades to improve your home value:

  • Kitchen: According to real estate experts, the kitchen is the most significant upgrade. Many new home buyers rank ‘modern kitchen’ as a top priority in their house hunt. Invest in refitting this area with brand new quartz countertops, refitted cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.
  • Hardwood Floors: Floors are also a major selling point for your home. While hardwood floors may cost more out of pocket, they prove to be a worthwhile investment by helping units sell faster and for higher prices. There’s nothing worse than bad, outdated carpet.
  • Bathroom: The bathroom speaks volumes to potential homebuyers. It is worth your dime to upgrade the cabinets and other features throughout your bathroom. Good news is that these upgrades tend to run at a much lower cost compared to kitchen renovations.
  • Paint: Even a fresh paint job can work wonders for increasing the value of a condo. Play it safe and stick with a neutral color scheme. Whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors and appeal to most homebuyers.

 

What You Need to Know About Condo Renovation Rules

Homeowner associations (HOAs) are responsible for managing condo communities. These associations have tight control over establishing rules that unit owners must follow, especially when it comes to remodeling.

Condo owners are often under many more rules when it comes to remodeling a unit than single-family homeowners.

Before beginning any renovations, it is critical to examine your HOA’s condo renovation rules to see what is permissible. You can find these guidelines laid out in the CC&R (covenants, conditions, and restrictions).

Condo owners considering remodeling often inquire if they can remove a wall in a condo.  Generally, the answer is ‘yes.’ However, the unit owner must first go to the HOA board for approval.

Unit owners require permission to remove a wall is because it is considered a structural change.

So what exactly is a structural change in a condo?

In many HOA bylaws, when defining structural change, a standard clause reads, “Nothing shall be done in any unit or on the common areas which may impair the structural integrity of the building or which may structurally change the building.”

Essentially, a structural change involves changing your condo unit’s original floor plan and knocking down walls.

Anytime you change your unit’s layout, you need to run your design plans by HOA to ensure the safety of your unit and the entire building.


How to Use Condo Remodeling Contractors

Teaming up with condo remodeling contractors helps optimize the outcome of your home renovations. It also saves you time and stress associated with home improvement projects.

However, before moving forward with a contractor, you need to find a good fit.

Narrowing down a suitable contractor involves finding one who you trust and one who fits into your condo renovation budget.

Do some research beforehand and get recommendations. Speak with local real estate experts or friends to help find someone with a good track record. If no one in your circle of friends has a referral, check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of reliable members in your area.

If you think you’ve found your potential hire, meet for an in-person interview to be sure the contractor is a good match before making anything official.

Once you’ve secured the right person for the job, ensure that the contractor is up to speed with your HOA’s renovation rules and regulations.

The final step before contractors can begin residential contractor condo work is putting everything in writing.

Write up a contract that details every phase of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn’t pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers.

 

What Are Condo Flooring Requirements?

Homeowner associations often implement condo flooring requirements to minimize noise complaints and keep residents happy.

Hard-surfaced floors can lead to noise nuisances and frustrations from the downstairs neighbors.

Therefore many HOAs include restrictions on hard surface flooring in the rules and reference sections of the CC&Rs to ensure quiet flooring for condos. There may also be an adoption of guidelines as to what an owner can do to get approval for hard surface flooring if possible.

If you are considering tearing out that old carpet and replacing it with beautiful hardwood, be sure this condo renovation follows the HOA’s guidelines.

Laminate makes one of the best floorings for condos. This material looks as beautiful as hardwood, but is more affordable and know for its soundproof qualities.

Vinyl is another popular option that tends to provide the quietest flooring option.

Before moving forward with any home improvement project, be sure to understand and follow your HOA flooring rules to avoid conflict and complaints.


Can You Convert One Bedroom Into Two in Your Condo?

If you want to convert one bedroom into two, be sure to check out your condo HOA’s CC&Rs. Odds are you will need to get approval from the board before moving forward with the remodeling, especially since it is a structural change.

When examining what is considered a structural change in a condo, it is clear that if you add an extra room to your condo you will be changing the original floorplan of your unit and knocking down walls.

Before making any structural change, remember that you need to run the project pass your homeowners association to avoid fines or court. Many associations ask homeowners to file an architect’s plan for any alterations on a unit.

While it is likely that your HOA will allow this structural change, they need to be in the loop during this process, especially if it will be a loud and possibly disruptive project.

Homeowners associations generally try to grant unit owners as much freedom as possible, as long as they don’t upset or violate the rights of community members.

Renovating a condo provides an exciting opportunity for homeowners to bring their dream house to life. Begin your property’s transformation today!

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