G.R. from Fairfield County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Can I change the windows of my condominiums by myself? I cannot afford to pay a Licensed contractor.
Mister Condo replies:
G.R., while most condominium associations would frown upon a homeowner taking on a “Do It Yourself” for window replacement, the real answer lies in your governing documents and your association’s architectural compliance guidelines. Many associations have documents forbidding any work to building exteriors by unlicensed or uninsured contractors because the work puts the association at a liability risk. The same thing is true for you and, I am assuming, any friends who help you with the project. Review your governing documents. I am sure at the very least you will need approval from the Board before you begin a window replacement project. That approval will require an application showing all sorts of details, including who will be installing the windows. If your project is approved with you doing the work, you may be good to go. However, don’t be surprised if the application is denied because of insufficient liability coverage to the association. Good luck!