You have been patient. The condo association cannot make you accept a lesser substitute (i.e. carpeting) in place of the material (wood) damaged by a common element for which they were responsible, unless there is something in the association agreement specifically giving them this right. (If there is, such a contractual term is enforceable.) When someone damages another's property, the law makes them responsible to pay the repair cost to restore the pre-damge condition, and does not let them dictate that lower-cost materials will be used. They also cannot make you wait indefinitely. Unfortunately, your recourse, to get the repairs done with materials comparable to what was damaged and also force them to actually make the repairs, would be to sue the association; suing, however, has its own costs, both monetary and in terms of time, stress, etc. A good first step would be to speak with a real estate attorney with experience in condos and ask him/her to evaluate the strength of your case, what it is worth, and it would cost to pursue it; you can then decided whether to take legal action or not.