A.C. from Fairfield County writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I would like to replace a window on my unit. According to the association I own the window. I have asked the association and know what kind of window they approve but they also told me that I must use a licensed installer. My uncle offered his help to replace the window and he is fully capable of carry out this job but he is not licensed. Can the condo association force me to use an installer and pay hundreds of dollars instead of having the job done by my uncle? What are the laws on this matter? Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
A.C., almost all associations require that all contract work be handled by licensed and insured contractors. It is very likely spelled out in your condo’s governing documents. I am not aware of any state law that compels that the work be done this way but you can imagine the potential liability the association faces if your uncle or any unlicensed or uninsured person gets injured during this installation. This is the reason most condo documents explicitly spell out that all home improvement work be handled by licensed and insured contractors. I appreciate your desire to save some money but you need to be respectful of the governing documents of your association. Some associations go as far as to spell out which contractors you may use as well. That is because the element of architectural compliance is the job of the Board. They often select specific contractors who they have screened and approved to handle the job in a uniform and agreed upon manner. Enjoy your new windows!