Proactive Maintenance Can Cut HOA Costs

Proactive Maintenance Can Cut HOA Costs

Failing to keep up with regular maintenance can lead to costly repairs that come out of the HOA’s pocket. If reserve funds aren’t enough to cover emergency work, it could mean homeowners are subject to special assessments. Taking the time to create proactive maintenance plans – and consistently follow through – can save the HOA money in the long run. Although it can mean some upfront payments now, this can head off more costly repairs later. It also gives the HOA time to better plan and budget for more expensive projects.

Here are a few ways that Proactive Maintenance Can Cut HOA Costs :

Conduct regular inspections. These should cover the entire scope of the HOA’s property from roadways to buildings to playgrounds. Look for minor repairs that can be easily fixed such as:

  • Build-up of leaves and twigs on roofs and in gutters.
  • Broken or torn shingles.
  • Loose flashing.
  • Chipped or peeling paint.
  • Overgrown trees, bushes, or shrubs that can impact other structures.
  • Cracks in the sidewalk.

Then actually take the time to make these repairs instead of pushing them off and letting them become more serious. Also pay attention for situations that may become more problematic such as tree roots growing up under the sidewalk, or small patches in the asphalt that could crumble further to create potholes.

Partner with vendors and service providers. If you outsource lawn care to a landscaping company, ensure that they’re also being proactive and looking for potential problems. For example, patches of soggy grass could mean a leaky irrigation system or even a crack in a water line. If left to fester, this can mean more costly water main repairs or having to replace large portions of the grass. There is also the potential for flooding should a water line break. Find out what your contract covers and what preventive maintenance tasks service providers should be overseeing.

Plan ahead. Know when the last time the roof of the clubhouse was replaced, or the pool was repaired. This can give you a better idea of when major repair or replacement projects will come up again. The HOA can begin planning and budgeting early to make sure costs are covered. It can also be a good idea to be proactive in replacing outdated equipment before something goes wrong. It may cost a little more now but save money down the road.

Staying on top of maintenance needs and recognizing signs of potential problems not only have the potential to save the HOA money in the long run, it also protects the aesthetics and integrity of the neighborhood. If your HOA needs help managing these tasks and more, consider partnering with a property management group like Kuester to get the guidance and support you need. Kuester has years of experience in knowing that Proactive Maintenance Can Cut HOA Costs and our board members can testify to this fact.

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.

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