Getting a TV mounted or art hung in a condo or co-op is rarely about the job itself. It's about the building's rules. Management offices across DC, Bethesda and Arlington handle contractors differently, so a little planning keeps the visit from being turned away at the front desk.
Certificates of insurance (COIs)
Most buildings require any contractor working in a unit to provide a certificate of insurance before the visit, often naming the condominium association, co-op corporation or management company as certificate holder or additional insured. Ask your management office for its exact requirements, including the names and addresses to list and the coverage amounts, and send them to your contractor several days ahead. Hang & Patch is fully insured and can provide a COI to buildings, property managers and house managers on request.
Elevator reservations and loading docks
Buildings often require a reserved service elevator for anything bigger than a toolbag, with pads installed in the cab. Larger buildings may also require use of the loading dock and limit how long a vehicle can stay there. Book early, because popular times fill up quickly, especially around month-end move-ins.
Work hours and noise
Many buildings limit contractor work to weekday business hours, and some restrict drilling and other noisy work to certain windows. Weekend work may not be allowed at all. Confirm the hours before you schedule.
Co-ops: alteration rules and board approval
In a co-op, you own shares in the corporation and hold a proprietary lease, and the building's rules can be stricter than in a condo. Many co-ops require an alteration agreement or board approval for anything beyond minor work. Mounting a TV or hanging art usually doesn't qualify as an alteration, but electrical, plumbing and wall changes often do. Check with the managing agent before you plan.
Concrete walls and columns
Many high-rise buildings have poured-concrete walls and columns, sometimes with drywall over them. Concrete takes masonry bits and concrete-rated anchors, and some buildings restrict drilling into structural elements. Ask management if there's a policy.
A simple checklist
- Get the COI requirements from management and send them to your contractor. We provide ours on request.
- Reserve the service elevator and loading dock if needed.
- Confirm allowed work hours and any noise windows.
- For co-ops, ask whether the work needs an alteration agreement.
- Tell the front desk who's coming and when.
We handle the logistics
Hang & Patch is fully insured and can provide a certificate of insurance (COI) to buildings, property managers and house managers on request. Send us your building's requirements and we'll have the COI in place before the visit, book around the elevator and work within building hours. See TV mounting in Washington, DC, TV mounting in Kalorama, art hanging in DC and move-in setup for new owners.