When is the Best Time to Hire a Commercial Snow Removal Company

Homeowners and commercial property owners should always leave snow removal to a professional, to get snow and ice clearing done safely and quickly and to avoid damaging their property in the process. 
 
The best time to hire a commercial snow removal company is summertime, or long before your area's first snowfall! Hiring a snow removal company as early as possible ensures that they can adequately assess the size and layout of your driveway, walkways, and parking lot. You also need time to discuss all your snow clearing options and contract details, and want to ensure that you'll be a top priority on their schedule!
 
To help you better understand when is the best time to hire a commercial snow removal company, note a few benefits of utilizing such a company in the first place, and of calling them as early as possible. You might also check out some tips and pointers for choosing the right type of contract, and for keeping your property in tiptop shape after winter is over! 

Why Hire a Commercial Snow Removal Company

A business owner should never leave snow removal service to a maintenance worker, and a professional snow removal company is an excellent choice for residential properties, even if they're somewhat small. Check out some advantages of having a commercial snow removal company clear your residential lot or other property, some of which you've probably never considered!

• Throwing snow with a snow blower can easily damage your property! Blown snow, especially if it contains ice or rocks, can shatter a home or car window, dent aluminum siding, and chip soft brick. Flying snow and ice can also be very dangerous to anyone standing in your immediate area. A professional snow clearing service will know how to safely manage blown snow, to avoid property damage and potential injury.
• A commercial snow clearing service will know to adjust their clearing method, based on the snow itself. For example, cutting through packed, heavy snow may require a sharp shovel and an auger with multiple blades. On the other hand, removing light and powdery snow with a heavy auger and powerful chute may cause that snow to get caught in the wind so that it merely blows back to the cleared area.
• Snow clearing can be physically dangerous. Trying to manage a shovel or snow blower on a slick surface easily leads to slips and falls. A snow blower may also require more physical exertion than you realize, so that you wind up putting stress on your knees, back, and shoulders, as well as your lungs and heart! Physical exertion and exposure to cold weather can be especially dangerous for someone with arthritis or circulatory problems, and other such health issues.

 
Owners of commercial properties also do well to consider that your maintenance personnel may not be qualified to clear a parking lot or sidewalk properly. Snow or ice left behind by someone not skilled in adequately removing those materials might result in a customer or staff member slipping and injuring themselves, which can then mean a liability lawsuit!
 
Business owners and even homeowners would also do well to consider the best use of their time. A business owner or manager has better things to do than spend an hour clearing off a front sidewalk, and a homeowner also shouldn't need to spend several hours every day trying to clear their property, and especially when a commercial snow removal company with heavy-duty equipment can manage that same clearing in far less time! 

What to Look for in a Commercial Snow Removal Company

You want to hire a commercial snow removal company as soon as possible because of all the details you want to look for in a snowplow company and their services, beyond just pricing!

• Insurance. Of course, you'll want to hire a snow removal company that has insurance. Their coverage should reimburse you if your property gets damaged during the snow removal process. However, you also want to check on the amount of their coverage! A low amount of coverage, perhaps just a few thousand dollars, might not be sufficient if you should ever need reimbursement for repairs to your property.
• Snow clearing options. Even commercial properties and storefronts will often have narrow walkways, entryways, and sidewalks that require manual shoveling or snow blowing, versus clearing with a plow. A commercial snow clearing company that only drives a truck through your lot or up and down a driveway might not be the best choice for your snow clearing needs!
• Salt and other chemicals. You may need time to consider your options for the use of snow-clearing and de-icing chemicals. Not only should you compare prices between companies, but you also want to note if sand or other sustainable options are a better choice for your property.
• Equipment. Very thick snow and ice might require a standard snowplow with a shovel in the front, but a brush cleaner is often a preferred option for asphalt or concrete with thick aggregate. A sharp shovel might scrape and otherwise damage certain surfaces, so consider your options for brushing if your property has delicate surfaces, brick, exposed aggregate, gravel and river rocks, and so on.

Understanding a Commercial Snow Clearing Contract

Most commercial snow clearing companies offer a contract that outlines their prices for different services. These contracts may be written a bit differently for each customer, with various options for snow removal. Note an explanation of these various contracts, along with some pros and cons of each. 
 

• Time and material contracts are a type of "a la carte" agreement. Your service provider won't necessarily come to your property automatically after every snowfall, but only as you call them. The company will then charge you for the time required to clear your property, as well as the amount of de-icing material used. These contracts are suitable for areas where snowfall varies, or if you can manage some snow clearing on your own, but note that the rates for these contracts are usually higher than fixed-price contracts.
• Per inch contracts are based on the recorded snowfall in your area. This type of charge can be an excellent contract to choose if your area is prone to lighter snow. However, if your property has walkways that need clearing, be sure you note if this service would include the application of de-icing materials as well as plowing.
• Per push contract allow you to control snow clearing services. For example, you might only need a particular part of your lot cleared after a heavy snowfall, perhaps just enough for a small number of customers or for reduced staff. You might also not need specific areas of the lot cleared on a regular basis; the shipping area might only need plowing during certain days of the week, for instance. A per push charge allows you to dictate what areas of the lot are addressed, and you are then charged for however many passes or turns it would take to clean that spot alone thoroughly.
• With fixed fee contracts, you are charged one flat fee for snow clearing, no matter the amount of work involved. This contract is good for business owners or homeowners who don't want to worry about how much snow they get on a regular basis, or who will always need the same area of their lots and walkways cleared no matter the weather. This contract is also convenient for large companies who need to manage an exact budget, as they will always receive the same invoice every month.

 
Other than the time and materials option, note that these contracts may charge separately for snow-clearing salt or other de-icing products. As with choosing the type of agreement for snow clearing, consider how much control you might want over the salt that is spread if any. For example, you might not need a de-icing product on a dark and bumpy asphalt parking lot but should always use salt or another such product on walkways and sidewalks.

How to Decide on the Best Commercial Snow Removal Contract

​Hiring a commercial snow removal company shouldn't be left to the last minute, as you'll need time to compare all the features and details mentioned above. To make this easier on you, note a few tips on how to make those comparisons, so you choose the best contract for your property! 
 
First, you might note records of average snowfalls in your area, and consider the cost of choosing a per-inch contract. Ask potential snow clearing companies for quotes on a fixed price, per push, and time and materials contract, along with any limitations in these contracts, such as the area to be cleared. 
 
You might then compare these various prices, along with any restrictions and how that might impact your business or ability to get into your residential garage. In some cases, you might see that a per push contract would be less expensive, but might not offer the amount of clearance you need. A fixed rate contract might be more costly than a per inch contract and may not necessarily be needed if your area's average snowfall is a bit minimal. 
 
Along with all this figuring, you'll need to consider the cost of salt and snow-clearing chemicals. You might also need to note any potential added charges, such as clearing you might need to be done during a holiday or on weekends, or if you'll ever need emergency clearance.

How to Keep Snow off your Residential or Commercial Property

A reliable commercial snow removal company is your best choice for clearing snow from your parking lots, driveways, and walkways, but there are many other things a property owner can do to keep snow and ice buildup to a minimum and keep their property safe for vehicle and foot traffic. Check out a few simple tips you might keep in mind. 
 

• The dark color of blacktop or asphalt will trap heat against its surface and melt snow and ice better than light-colored concrete. If you don't have the option of repaving your property with asphalt, consider adding a dark paint over your lot's concrete.
• Aggregates help to provide traction and keep moisture from freezing and forming ice. You can have a layer of aggregate added to both asphalt and concrete, for a safer surface and less ice formation every winter.
• Ensure that your property is graded correctly. If parking lots and driveways are not graded or sloped toward the street, melting snow can freeze and form a layer of ice that is not only dangerous but which also holds more snow in place! A landscaping engineer can note if your property needs any grading or even drainage trenches installed, to help direct moisture away from driveways, parking lots, and walkways.

Protecting your Property After Winter is Over

Hiring a commercial snow removal company every winter is very beneficial for asphalt and concrete, as the added moisture and cold temperature of both snow and ice can cause these surfaces to get brittle and then crack, chip, and spall. However, snow-clearing salt and other de-icing materials can be corrosive to these surfaces, and also cause damage. 
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Note, too, that snow and ice may capture and trap pesticides, fertilizers, and other such chemicals from your lawn and landscaping features; as the snow melts across your driveway or parking lot, it can leave these chemicals behind. This residue can also cause chipping, cracking, and spalling of these materials and surfaces. 
 
One of the best ways to protect your property's concrete or asphalt is to have these surfaces power washed or soft washed after winter is over. An effective power washing will remove all that damaging residue and clean away any leftover de-icing chemicals, salt, and other such materials. Power washing can also remove peeling paint as well as oil stains and other such discoloration. You can then assess that damage and note if it's time for repairs or repaving of your parking lot, driveway, and other such areas