Community grills and insurance

Started by LauraR5 • 16 replies • 2474 views

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LauraR5 (Tennessee)
Posts: 220

Posted:

As you know, grilling regulations in multi-unit housing can be challenging and it causes a lot of issues from an association perspective, having to police the community for grills and being the bad guy telling homeowners to remove them.

A couple of homeowners have approached me about the possibility of the association putting a few community grills and picnic tables in the common area to not only alleviate this issue and provide a safe place for folks to grill, but also to create an area that could be used for cookouts and other gatherings.

Some former board members told me they looked into it but the cost of upping the association's insurance was too high. Does anyone else have any experience with this?

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Many parks have charcoal grills. Nothing to malfunction or repair.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Don't depend on the word of others. Actually call your insurance company and ask them. I found out that us adding a playground would have had no effect on our insurance if we put one in. People just assume that adding a playground area would add cost to your insurance.

You also have to decide if the HOA should pay for these grills or the owners can donate the ones they have to the HOA. That may be the real sticky issue here. Plus you need to look into having them not stolen and who is goig to take care of them. It is just possible for it to add an additional headache to the board members. However, if your board member is game or find some willing to take on the responsibility, go for it.

Former HOA President

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LauraR5 on 03/31/2013 6:03 PM

A couple of homeowners have approached me about the possibility of the association putting a few community grills and picnic tables in the common area to not only alleviate this issue and provide a safe place for folks to grill, but also to create an area that could be used for cookouts and other gatherings.

Some former board members told me they looked into it but the cost of upping the association's insurance was too high. Does anyone else have any experience with this?

I have never been involved in the purchase of insurance for an association but I find it hard to believe that the application even would ask about permanently installed charcol grills in the common area.

What the former board members told you sounds fishy. Do your own research. Start with a call to your association's current insurance agent.

LauraR5 (Tennessee)
Posts: 220

Posted:

Thanks, guys. I am thinking it can't be that expensive to install a couple of those charcoal grills like at parks. Those must be easy to maintain because parks don't have money. I will talk to our property manager and call the insurance agent.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LauraR5 on 04/01/2013 2:32 PM
I am thinking it can't be that expensive to install a couple of those charcoal grills like at parks.

Depending on the size of grill, I would expect less than $500 each installed.

DebbieW2 (Tennessee)
Posts: 33

Posted:

We just got one from the local hardware for our vacation rental - it was a non-adjustable charcoal park-style grill for $99. They had the adjustable ones for $199. You can order them at Lowes and HD and pick them up at the store. they are a tad more expensive through them. They should not cost anywhere near $500, I would not think anyway.

DebbieW2 (Tennessee)
Posts: 33

Posted:

did not see the "installed" part - can't anyone dig a few holes and pour some concrete down the holes, stick the pole in, add some water and let it set overnight. I did ours - it is not hard. Saves money!!!

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You still have to pay for the concrete to pour in those holes...

Former HOA President

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You still have to pay for the concrete to pour in those holes...

Former HOA President

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

You still have to pay for the concrete to pour in those holes

I think there is enough quarters in my change tray in my car to pay for the concrete on this project. It's only $3 a bag.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

What I meant to say that it cost money which has to be approved by the board to spend on this project. It's not all the clear cut in buying things since the money being spent is everyone's money. Even a bag of concrete has to be considered part of the cost and approvals.

Former HOA President

DebbieW2 (Tennessee)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Yeah, I did not mean that the concrete was free, but it certainly is cheaper than an install charge. So yes, itemize the cost of the grills, bag of concrete for each grill post (that should be enough) vs contracting the install. Get an energetic group of volunteers....maybe some cold beer?? LOL kidding, but not really.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

There is a reason why grills could quickly become the vain of your existance once installed. There will be so many questions on who is responsible for what. Should the HOA provide the charcoal/gass? What about the tools to barbecue? Should there be a fire extinquisher nearby? Should there be a schedule/reservation for the grills? Who is going to maintain the grills after they are installed? What funds are they going to use to pay for that maintenance - The HOA or a separate committee?

It isn't going to be all black and white. What works this year won't always work for the years to come. Plus you may need to add this to the rules either by-law or CC&R's in the future. They will basically become an "amennity" similar to adding a playground or park area.

I am NOT against installing the grills at all. It just has to be recognized and defined on the responsibilities. Either they have to be part of the HOA budget or they need to be a volunteer thing amongst those who want to use grills to cook. I don't like grilled food and would never use the grill most likely. Would it be fair for my dues to pay for it? You may want to make this like a "Grill" club similar to the "Coffee clubs" at work. That may help and lessen the burden on your HOA for costs and responsibillity. The HOA may agree to buy them though and have them installed. Just the rest is up to the club members to maintain.

Former HOA President

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

I see community grills becoming far more trouble then they are worth. Installation, maintenance, cleanup, etc.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Its easy if you ask me.

Installation - dig hole, insert pole, get concrete and water, wait, done

maintenance - none. public charcoal grills last decades without anything

cleanup - its up to the users. Either the person grilling or the next person who wants to use it will clean it. Preferably people using it will clean up. But it has nothing to do with the HOA

Builds community. If balcony grills are banned, this is a great option.

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

I agree that common area grills help build community and are a good solution to those--my HOA too--that'll no longer be permitted to grill on their balconies.

If the HOA has a maintenance staff, they can keep them clean. Users provide their own charcoal and starter. Depriving folks of good ol' fashioned barbecuing seems downright unAmerican.

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