Reserve Study Companies in Massachusetts
Compare vetted reserve study firms across Massachusetts and get multiple proposals for your HOA or condominium from a single request, including full reserve studies and funding updates.
Reserve study companies for Massachusetts communities
Massachusetts associations deal with aging buildings, harsh New England winters, and lender expectations around reserve funding. Through PropFusion, you can quickly connect with reserve study companies that understand local codes, construction types, and costs across the Commonwealth.
- Through PropFusion, you can connect with reserve study companies that already work with:
- Condominium and co-op associations
- Single-family HOAs
- Townhome and duplex communities
- Mixed-use and urban mid-rise buildings
- Resort and waterfront communities
Massachusetts reserve fund rules in plain language
Massachusetts condominium associations must maintain an adequate replacement reserve fund, kept separate from operating funds, but the law does not require a formal reserve study or specify an exact percentage; most boards use reserve studies and revisit them every 3 to 5 years as a best-practice guide for budgeting and lender expectations. See the full Massachusetts Reserve Study Law Guide for detailed requirements and citations.
Are reserve studies required in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts does not mandate reserve studies for HOAs or condominiums, but condo associations must maintain an adequate replacement reserve fund and most lenders expect to see a clear funding plan that looks very similar to a professional reserve study.
How much should our association contribute to reserves?
There is no fixed statutory percentage, but many lenders look for at least 10 percent of the annual budget going into reserves, and some communities choose higher contributions to avoid special assessments and keep buildings in good repair.
How often should we update a reserve study in Massachusetts?
Because costs, interest rates, and building conditions change, boards typically update reserve studies every 3 to 5 years, with a shorter cycle for older buildings or associations that have been underfunded.
Types of reserve studies Massachusetts companies provide
Level 1 – Full reserve study
A complete physical and financial analysis: on-site inspection, component inventory, remaining useful life, and a 20–30 year funding plan.
Level 2 – Update with site visit
A refresh of your existing reserve study with a new inspection, updated costs, and revised funding recommendations.
Level 3 – Update without site visit
A financial update that uses your prior study and updated financial data to adjust funding paths between full site inspections.
Special-purpose studies
Targeted studies that focus on high risk items like roofs, façades, garages, balconies, and parking structures when boards need detailed projections for specific projects outside the normal reserve cycle.
Massachusetts coverage - from Boston to the Berkshires
You do not need a separate search for every city or town. PropFusion’s marketplace includes reserve study companies that serve communities across Greater Boston, central Massachusetts, the Cape, and western New England.
- Typical areas covered include:
- Greater Boston: Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Quincy
- North Shore: Salem, Beverly, Lynn, Peabody, Gloucester
- South Shore and Cape: Plymouth, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River, Cape Cod towns
- Central Massachusetts: Worcester, Fitchburg, Leominster, Marlborough, Shrewsbury
- Western Massachusetts: Springfield, Amherst, Northampton, Pittsfield and surrounding hill towns
When Massachusetts associations typically hire a reserve study company
Boards in Massachusetts do not order reserve studies just to tick a box. They typically bring in a reserve professional when the stakes are high for budgets, buildings, and lenders.
Three year budget cycles and lender reviews
Your association is preparing its next budget and wants a defensible reserve contribution line item, or lenders and buyers are asking for documentation before approving mortgages in your condo.
Aging buildings and harsh winters
Brick façades, roofs, decks, and parking areas have taken years of freeze–thaw cycles and deicing salts, and the board wants a clear plan to address upcoming repairs before they turn into emergencies.
Turnover from developer to owners
Control is shifting from the developer to unit owners, and the new board wants an independent view of capital needs, underfunded components, and realistic contribution levels.
After major projects or unexpected assessments
You have just completed a significant roof, envelope, or mechanical project or levied a special assessment and need to re-baseline your funding plan so you do not end up in the same position again.
Catching up after years without a study
The association has never had a formal reserve study or the last one is too old to rely on, and the board wants a clean, current baseline it can stand behind with owners and future buyers.
What a Massachusetts reserve study company delivers
While formats differ by firm, most reserve study providers serving Massachusetts follow national reserve study standards and present results in a format your board and owners can actually use.
On-site inspection of major components
Visual review of roofs, waterproofing, structure, exterior finishes, pavement, mechanical systems, amenities, and other shared components.
Component inventory & useful life estimates
A detailed list of common-area components, quantities, remaining useful life, and estimated replacement/repair costs.
30-year funding plan
Year-by-year projections showing recommended reserve contributions, projected expenses, and forecast reserve balances, so you can see the impact of different dues levels over time.
Scenario comparisons
Many providers show alternative funding strategies so boards can choose the path that fits owner expectations and risk tolerance.
Board-ready PDF report
A report that can be attached to budgets, resale certificates, and owner communications, and that will stand up to questions from lenders, auditors, and regulators.
Online reserve planning workspace
Alongside the PDF report, your reserve study is loaded into an online dashboard where your board can test what-if funding scenarios, see upcoming investment opportunities, and manage capital projects over time.
Compare multiple reserve study companies in Massachusetts with one request
Share your community details
Tell us about your association’s location, property type, number of units, and any upcoming projects or concerns.
We match you with vetted firms
We route your request to reserve study companies that actively work in your state and fit your size and building type.
Compare proposals side by side
You receive multiple proposals outlining scope, pricing, and timelines so you can compare options without chasing firms yourself.
Hire your preferred provider
You choose the company you want to work with. They perform the study and deliver the report. You keep full ownership of the results and can use them with any budgeting tools or processes you prefer.
What Massachusetts boards say
“Our 1970s brick condo in Cambridge had aging roofs, boilers, and masonry. Through the marketplace we found an engineer who explained every line of the study and gave us a funding plan that owners could actually understand and support.”
“One brief, three Massachusetts proposals, and a clear comparison in less than a week. It turned a stressful budget season into a straightforward decision for our board.”
Massachusetts HOAs and condos have requested proposals through our marketplace.
vetted reserve study professionals covering communities across Massachusetts.
“One request, three Massachusetts proposals in a week. Comparing scope and price side by side made our board comfortable choosing a firm for our first reserve study.”
“After years without a study, we were facing big repairs and nervous owners. The proposals we received through PropFusion were detailed, competitively priced, and focused on Massachusetts reserve requirements and lender expectations. We finally feel ahead of our long term repairs.”
Frequently asked questions
How much do reserve studies cost in Massachusetts?
Costs vary by size and complexity. Smaller associations with straightforward components may see fees in the low thousands for a full study, while large or complex, multi building properties can pay more. The most reliable way to know if a quote is fair is to compare multiple proposals for the same scope.
How long does a reserve study take?
Most Massachusetts reserve studies take a few weeks from site visit to final report, depending on the provider’s schedule, weather for inspections, and how quickly the association provides financial and governing documents.
Do we need an engineer to perform our reserve study?
Many Massachusetts associations hire engineering based firms because they are comfortable assessing structures and building systems, but experienced reserve specialists who follow national standards can also deliver reliable studies. The key is clear methodology, local experience, and understandable reporting.
Does PropFusion work with associations outside major cities like Boston?
Yes. Our network includes providers that routinely work in suburban and rural communities across Massachusetts, from North Shore towns to the Berkshires, so smaller or non urban associations can still access experienced reserve study professionals.
How does the PropFusion marketplace work for Massachusetts communities?
You complete one brief describing your property, recent projects, and what you need from the study. PropFusion shares it with vetted reserve study providers that serve Hawaii, collects their proposals, and presents them in a consistent format so your board can compare scope, fees, and timelines in one place.
Get proposals from reserve study companies in Massachusetts
If your board is planning big projects, worried about reserves, or simply wants a clear long-term funding plan, this is the time to bring in a professional reserve study company.
