What is included in a maintenance contract for a housing cooperative?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB3 min read
Short answer
What does garden maintenance for a housing cooperative include?
A maintenance contract for a housing cooperative (BRF) normally covers lawn mowing and trimming every week or every other week during the season, hedge trimming twice a year, weeding in flower beds and on paved surfaces, spring and autumn cleanup with leaf collection, pruning of shrubs and watering of plantings. The contract usually runs for one year with monthly invoicing and a named contact person.
What is included in a standard contract?
A basic contract for a cooperative with a courtyard and lawn areas usually includes the following:
- Lawn mowing and trimming every 7–14 days, April to October
- Hedge trimming in June and August
- Weeding in flower beds, on paths and in paving, once a month
- Spring cleanup in April: raking, moss control, sweeping and clearing
- Autumn cleanup in October–November: leaf collection, cutting back perennials, sweeping
- Pruning of shrubs and smaller trees once a year
- Watering of plantings and planters during dry periods
- Inspection and reporting of damage, diseased trees and work that needs doing
What is usually not included?
- Tree felling, stump grinding and pruning of large trees, which are quoted separately
- New planting and purchase of plants
- Snow removal and gritting, often a separate winter contract
- Removal of larger amounts of waste beyond the normal
- Repair of fences, paving and equipment
How much does a maintenance contract cost in Stockholm?
The price depends on the size of the courtyard, the number of mowings per season, how many flower beds need to be weeded by hand and whether hedges and trees are included. Each contract is therefore priced individually after a visit to the courtyard, where we go through the areas together with the board and provide a quote with a clear price or an hourly rate.
Housing cooperatives cannot use the RUT deduction, but VAT is deductible for cooperatives with VAT-liable activities such as letting commercial premises.
How the board procures well
- Make a simple map of the areas: lawn, flower beds, hedges, paved surfaces and trees, with approximate measurements.
- State the desired frequency for each task instead of asking for 'maintenance', so the quotes are comparable.
- Ask for references from other cooperatives and check F-tax registration and liability insurance.
- Require a named contact person and a simple report after each visit.
- Choose a one-year contract with three months' notice the first time, and extend once you have seen a full season.
Maintenance contracts with Service Plus
Service Plus Stockholm AB has maintenance contracts with housing cooperatives in Solna, Sundbyberg, Nacka, Bromma and other parts of Greater Stockholm. The cooperative receives a quote tailored to its courtyard, a contact person on the board has a direct number to our site manager, and all specialists, from lawn mowing to tree felling, are in the same team. Contact us for a free visit and a quote tailored to your courtyard.
Common follow-up questions
How often should the grass be mowed in a housing cooperative courtyard?
Every 7 days in May–June when the grass grows the most, every 10–14 days in July–September. In total 18–22 mowings per season in Stockholm.
Can the cooperative buy individual services without a contract?
Yes. Service Plus also carries out one-off jobs such as autumn cleanup, hedge trimming or tree felling for cooperatives without an ongoing contract.
What happens if the cooperative is not satisfied?
Service Plus offers a satisfaction guarantee. Shortcomings are corrected at no extra cost, and the contract can be terminated with three months' notice.
