TheIt starts with a vote at the owners' meeting
Major works like painting the façade or common areas are approved at a junta de propietarios (owners' meeting), usually requiring whatever majority the community's own bylaws (estatutos) specify for this kind of decision. If you can't attend in person, most communities allow a proxy vote (representación) — check with your administrator (administrador de fincas) how to arrange this ahead of the meeting.
The cost is usually split via a special levy
Since painting the façade isn't covered by ordinary monthly community fees, it's typically funded through a derrama — a one-off extraordinary payment split among all owners, usually according to each property's ownership share (coeficiente), the same percentage used for regular community fees.
What a proper quote should include
Before voting on a project, the board should request a detailed, itemised quote — not a single lump-sum figure — covering: exact surface area, the current condition of the façade and what prior repairs are included (cracks, damp, flaking), the type of paint or system to be applied, and a written schedule with start and end dates.
What we do differently
We prepare quotes specifically designed to be presented and voted on in a junta, with the breakdown owners actually need to make an informed decision, and a single point of contact throughout the project so communication doesn't depend on multiple people. See community block painting for the full detail of our process.
During the works
Once approved, work is organised in phases or by façade section where the building size allows, to minimise disruption to residents, with access, common areas and parking coordinated with the administrator or the board president ahead of time.
If you cannot attend the meeting in person
Many foreign owners split their time between countries and cannot always attend the junta de propietarios in person when a painting project is being voted on. Most communities allow a proxy (representación) — check with your administrator well before the meeting date on how to formalise this, since requirements vary slightly between communities.
It's also worth asking your administrator to email you the itemised quote and proposed schedule in advance, even if you can't attend, so you can review the details and communicate your vote or concerns ahead of time rather than after the decision is made.