Updating Your Mobile Home Exterior? Here’s How to Work with Your HOA

Giving your mobile home a fresh look can feel exciting. New siding, paint, windows, or skirting can boost curb appeal and make your space feel more like home. But if you live in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA), you’ll need to do a little more than pick a paint color and get started. Working with your HOA is a key part of the process—and skipping that step can lead to fines or being forced to undo your updates.

Here’s how to make your mobile home exterior upgrades smooth, simple, and HOA-friendly.

Know the Rules Before You Plan

Every HOA has its own set of rules. These are often called CC&Rs—short for Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. These rules cover what you can and can’t do with your home and lot.

Before planning your exterior updates, grab a copy of your community’s CC&Rs or architectural guidelines. You might find rules about:

• Paint color choices
• Types of siding allowed
• Roof materials
• Porch or deck size
• Fencing height and style
• Skirting requirements

Reading the rules now will save you trouble later. If something is unclear, don’t guess. Reach out to your HOA board or management company and ask.

Need help understanding or navigating the process? A professional team, like this HOA Management Company, can make the steps easier. They often guide homeowners through requests and ensure updates match the community’s standards.

Submit a Request—Don’t Skip This

Even if your update seems minor, it’s best to submit a request. Most HOAs have an approval process for exterior changes, and skipping it can cause issues.

Here’s what a request usually includes:

• A written form (sometimes online)
• Description of the work
• Materials and paint colors
• Timeline for the project
• Contractor info (if you’re hiring one)

Some communities also want to see a sketch or photo of the update. Be detailed—clear plans make approval more likely.

Once you submit, give the board time to review. The wait time is often listed in the rules, but it’s usually around 30 days.

Communicate Early and Often

Don’t wait until the last minute to tell your HOA about your plans. Reach out early. If you’re unsure how to submit a request or what to include, ask. It shows good faith and helps avoid delays.

If your plan is approved—great! If not, don’t panic. You can usually revise your plan and resubmit. Be polite and open to feedback. Arguing or ignoring the board’s concerns won’t help and might create tension.

Pick Styles That Match the Community

Your mobile home might be your private space, but your HOA wants to keep the whole community looking cohesive. That’s why many rules focus on the look and style of homes.

When choosing paint, materials, or design features, try to match the neighborhood’s style. That doesn’t mean you can’t stand out a little—but bright neon siding in a neutral-toned park may be denied.

Not sure what’s allowed? Walk the neighborhood. Look at other homes that have recently been updated. That’s a great way to find inspiration and get a feel for what the HOA prefers.

Hire Contractors Who Follow the Rules

If you’re hiring someone to handle your updates, make sure they understand that you live in an HOA. Some contractors are used to doing whatever the homeowner wants. But in an HOA community, the board has a say too.

Make sure your contractor knows:

• What’s allowed by the HOA
• Any noise or work-hour restrictions
• Where they can park their truck or store materials

It also helps to choose someone who’s done work in HOA communities before. They’ll be more familiar with the process and expectations.

Stay on Schedule

Once your project is approved, you’ll likely be given a deadline. That might be 30, 60, or 90 days to complete the work. Make sure you stick to it. If delays happen—like bad weather or material shortages—communicate with the board right away.

Letting your project drag on for months with half-finished siding or exposed wood will frustrate neighbors and may lead to fines.

Keep Things Tidy During the Project

While your home is being updated, try to keep your space clean and safe. That means:

• Picking up debris at the end of each day
• Not blocking driveways or sidewalks
• Keeping tools and materials off the lawn

Clean job sites show respect for your neighbors and reduce complaints. The more smoothly your project goes, the more likely your HOA will approve future requests too.

Final Walkthrough (if required)

Some HOAs will want to check that your project followed the approved plan. They might do a quick visual inspection or ask for photos once the work is complete.

This step is usually simple—just make sure you followed the approved plan and didn’t make major changes mid-project without getting a second approval.

If you did change something during the work, let the board know right away. It’s better to explain upfront than to get a violation notice later.

Wrapping It Up

Upgrading your mobile home exterior is a great way to boost pride in your space and improve the whole community’s look. But in an HOA, you’ve got to follow the process.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Check the rules first
• Get approval before starting
• Choose styles that fit the neighborhood
• Communicate clearly
• Finish on time
• Keep things clean

And remember—your HOA isn’t out to block your plans. Most boards just want to protect the value and look of the neighborhood. When you work with them, you’re more likely to get a “yes” and keep your neighbors happy too.