Grounds Maintenance Is a Board Responsibility
As a condo board member, you're responsible for maintaining the common elements — and that includes every blade of grass, every garden bed, every walkway, and every parking lot on the property. It's one of the most visible responsibilities you have, and one of the first things residents complain about when it's not done right.
What a Professional Maintenance Contract Should Include
Clearly Defined Scope
Your contract should spell out exactly what's included: mowing frequency, edging, trimming, garden bed maintenance, seasonal cleanup schedule, snow removal triggers, and Green Ice Melter application protocols. If it's not in the contract, don't assume it's included.
Service Verification
GPS tracking, photo documentation, and digital service logs should be standard. Your management company and board members should have access to service records that prove when work was completed and what was done. This is critical for AGM reporting and addressing resident complaints.
Insurance and Liability Coverage
Your maintenance provider should carry commercial general liability insurance ($2M minimum), workers' compensation coverage, and vehicle insurance for their fleet. Request certificates annually and verify they're current. One slip-and-fall claim on an unsalted walkway can cost your corporation hundreds of thousands.
Common Mistakes Boards Make
Choosing the Cheapest Bid
The lowest price almost always means cut corners. Fewer visits, rushed work, no accountability systems. The board saves money on the contract but spends it on complaints, re-work, and emergency fixes. Get three quotes and choose the one that offers the best value — not the lowest number.
No Performance Metrics
If you're not measuring service quality, you're guessing. Establish clear KPIs: response time to service requests, completion rate for scheduled visits, photo documentation compliance, and resident satisfaction scores. Review them quarterly.
Seasonal Gaps
Many boards hire separate companies for summer and winter. The transition periods — late fall and early spring — become no-man's-land where neither company takes responsibility. A year-round provider eliminates this gap entirely.
Why Monster Works for Condo Corporations
Monster serves dozens of condo corporations across the GTA with year-round maintenance programs. Every visit is GPS-tracked and photo-documented. Board members get access to digital service logs. And because we handle everything from lawn care to snow removal, there are no gaps between seasons.