Greater Chicago winters are never very predictable. Old Man Winter likes to shake things up each year.
A harsh and heavy winter can especially wreak havoc on a commercial property that needs to clear ice and snow from its entryways to ensure seamless traffic flow on its property at all hours. That's why it's important to have your snow removal contract signed and sealed before winter weather arrives.
Not all commercial properties are the same. Snow removal contracts should be written to fit your needs. In this article, we'll check out the following types of contracts and snow removal basics:
- Snow Removal Schedules
- Per-Occurrence Snow Removal
- Seasonal Snow Removal
- Above & Beyond (Emergency) Services
- Multi-Year & Combination Contracts
When winter weather strikes, having the right snow removal contract for your property brings the peace of mind all property managers need.
Commercial Snow Removal Essentials
While snow can sit on your driveway until you've finished your coffee, commercial properties don't have the luxury of waiting for service.
Commercial sites like hospitals and healthcare facilities must be careful because the visitors navigating the entries are often moving slowly or need extra help.
In fact, on most commercial sites, sidewalks and parking lots need to be open and accessible to keep employees, customers, tenants, and visitors safe throughout the winter months. For example, a retail center during shopping seasons can’t lose business at these key times, and office parks must ensure their workers can get to their jobs on time.
And when a snow or ice storm hits in the middle of the night, you want to know you did everything you could to ensure your property functions smoothly during all rush hour moments.
Getting the right snow removal contract is a big part of being prepared for winter’s worst. Let’s look at the different types of snow removal contracts and how you can choose the right one for your commercial property.
Snow Removal Schedules
Choosing the right commercial snow removal contract is not always an easy decision for a property manager. How can you make sure your needs and your budget align in an unpredictable season?
In Greater Chicago, a commercial snow removal contract typically runs from November 1st through March 31st every year.
And regardless of what time of day the snowstorm hits, you want to make sure your site is protected and ready. You might be wondering where to start to get the result you’re looking for.
This information may help you figure out which type of snow removal contract works best for you.
Per-Occurrence Snow Removal Contract
There are two types of snow removal contracts you’ll usually find: a per-occurrence contract or a seasonal contract.
A per-occurrence contract means you pay each time your service provider plows or salts the property.
The contract can also deem how much precipitation is required for plowing to take place. Typically, this is set at two inches or above, but if you are particularly worried about the safety hazards that snow and ice can cause, you can discuss lower trigger points with your provider.
Seasonal Snow Removal Contract
An all-inclusive or seasonal snow removal contract means you pay a monthly rate for five months and you are covered no matter how many snow and ice events occur during that time.
These contracts are ideal for property managers who want to set their costs and keep reliable budgets.
The value of these contracts to your property moves with the weather. If a bad winter hits and many service visits are needed, your property will still have the fixed costs of your all-inclusive contract secured.
Knowing that your snow removal costs will be fixed (or mostly fixed) is a great way to keep budgets from overflowing.
Above and Beyond Services
Then there are times during harsh winters when snow piles get particularly high.
For these instances, your commercial snow removal contract should include a stipulation that dictates an hourly rate for these above-and-beyond services.
The reason these services are excessive and cost extra is that your service provider will need to bring in extra equipment, such as skid-steer loaders, a front-end loader and a dump truck, to get that heavy snow off of your property.
Your contract may also list an hourly rate for hand-chipping ice on your property; this would be necessary if the ice gets so thick that it can’t be melted using other methods.
Multi-Year and Combination Snow Removal Contracts
Some snow removal companies will even offer combinations of the above contract types to fit your specific property needs and budget.
For example, you might need an all-inclusive contract for snow removal but would prefer to use salt only after each plow versus during other times. You can customize a contract to fit your needs.
Additionally, commercial project managers can usually save money on multi-year contracts, ensuring they have snow and ice removal services locked in so they don’t have to worry about it.
Opt For Professional Commercial Snow Removal
While any able-bodied person can hop into a truck with a snow plow attachment and clear your commercial property of snow, this doesn’t ensure the job is done right.
You want to make sure the commercial snow removal professional you hire considers your property’s specific needs and preferences for the optimum safety of everyone on your facility landscape every day.
Hiring a commercial snow removal service with educated employees who know snow and ice management best practices can make a big difference in how your winter goes.
Every snow and ice storm is different, and your professional will use various techniques and tactics to ensure the job is done efficiently.
Also, since snow removal is considered an emergency service, it needs to be performed with a sense of urgency and using the safest practices. This is because snow and ice tends to cause liability issues if not taken care of correctly.
When you’re a property manager juggling multiple areas of your commercial facility, you want to know you can count on your service partners to get work done.
This is why having the same crew members working on your site can help them learn about your property specifics and build great working relationships, ensuring they remember your main concerns.
Communication is important when it comes to snow and ice management, too. You don't want to wonder if and when something was done. That’s why you’re hiring a professional.
KD Landscape would be happy to discuss some specific ideas that can help you tackle snow and ice on your Greater Chicago commercial property this winter. Request your consultation today. We’ll review your options together so you can make the best choice.
