Snow removal for townhome complexes north of Boston
We plow the shared drive and parking, clear the common walks and entrances, and salt on a written plan. Every complex is priced after a site walk, and the board gets a time-stamped photo log of each visit.
For: small townhome associations and self-managed HOAs. Not for large developments.
What a townhome snow contract covers
- The shared driveway, loop road and turnarounds
- Visitor and resident parking areas
- Shared walks, common entrances and steps
- Mailbox cluster and trash area paths, on request
- Salt or sand on the written plan
- A time-stamped log with photos
What boards forget to settle
- Who clears what. Shared walks versus the walk to each unit's door. Check the master deed and bylaws, then write the split into the contract.
- Where the snow goes. Piles take parking spaces. Mark the pile spots on a map or photo at the site walk.
- Cars in the way. Decide the rule for moving cars and tell residents. See town parking bans and snow emergency rules for your town.
- Hydrants, fire lanes and mailboxes. Name them in the contract so they are cleared, not buried.
- Salt limits. Note new concrete, pet areas and landscaping that salt can hurt.
Price
Each complex is quoted by property after a site walk. A typical starting range for a condo or HOA is $2,500 to $6,000 per season (4 to 12 units, larger associations by site walk). Final price after a site walk. Larger complexes are quoted by property. To compare bids fairly, use the bid checklist and read cost per unit.
Next steps for the board
Read how a condo board hires a snow contractor, then request a site walk. Sign before the first storm to lock your spot for the season, which runs November 15 to April 15.
Who holds the duty in a townhome complex
Common areas belong to the association, so check the master deed for who carries that duty where, and for each owner on their own lot. Cities and towns can delegate sidewalk snow removal to property owners by ordinance or bylaw, so check your city or town ordinances for the sidewalk rule.1 Use the weather forecast for your town to schedule residents' car moves before a storm.
Sources
Each number above links to the passage it relies on. Checked November 1, 2026. We are a snow contractor, not a law firm or an engineer; confirm legal and structural questions with your attorney, insurer or town.
- Mass.gov, Snow removal and accessibility in Massachusetts
However, municipalities can delegate snow removal responsibility to property owners (like homeowners and businesses) by adopting ordinances or bylaws requiring property owners to clear the sidewalk adjacent to their property within a certain timeframe.
Questions
Who clears the walk to each townhome door?
That depends on your master deed and bylaws. Some associations clear shared walks and leave private steps to each owner. Others hire one contractor for everything. Write the split down before the first storm so nothing is missed.
What if cars are parked in the way?
We cannot plow around a parked car cleanly. Many associations set a rule that cars move at a stated snow depth or hour. Put the rule in the contract and post it to residents.
Do you haul snow away?
Not at present. We push snow to piles agreed on the site walk. If piles will take too many spaces, we say so before the contract.
Can you salt the walks too?
Yes, as a separate line. Salting is a typical $120 to $250 per application or a flat seasonal add-on.
How big a complex do you take?
Small complexes. Tell us the number of units and send a photo of the drive and parking. We will say if it is the right size for us.
Small property managers
Several small buildings on one route, one written proposal, a photo log to forward to owners.
How a condo board hires a snow contractor
Seven steps from the master deed to the signed contract.
Snow removal bid checklist (printable)
What to send every bidder and a side-by-side table to compare them.
Massachusetts landlord snow removal law
Owner duty, egress rules, sidewalk deadlines by town. With sources.
Snow removal insurance and liability
What to ask a contractor for, and what the owner or board still owns.
Snow removal cost per unit
Why price per unit misleads, and a calculator to compare bids fairly.