Snow is a significant barrier to operating a business. It poses many challenges, such as impeding access to your property. It also creates several risks, including the risk of your customers slipping and falling. This is where commercial snow removal services come in.
Snow removal services ensure that your premises are free of snow buildup. However, the services that they actually offer depend on your contract. These contracts are often overlooked, but they are essential. They aren’t complicated, either. Here are some things to look for when reading your snow removal contracts.
Understanding a Snow Removal Contract
A snow removal contract is not complicated because certain key factors define just how good or bad it is. To this end, every good contract should specify the following factors:
Services Covered
You expect your snow removal service provider to get rid of all the snow on your premises, right? However, the contractor is not obligated to do everything. As such, it is necessary to specify exactly what the contractor should do, and which services they’re responsible for.
Consider the following three areas of service coverage when negotiating the contract:
Full-Facility Clearage
Which sections of your business premises should the contractor service? Nothing should be left to chance, ideally. However, pay particular focus to areas with the highest foot and vehicle traffic levels. A proper snow removal company should service your parking lot, walkways, and any drive lanes.
Full Removal
Where does the snow go after it is plowed? Do they simply leave it to melt, or do they carry it to a dump elsewhere? A full-service removal agreement means that the contractor will not leave huge mounds of snow melting and creating a mess everywhere. After larger accumulation, snow should either be relocated to certain areas on-site or hauled off-site. This should all be well defined in your service agreement.
Removal Materials
Businesses with sensitive components, such as delicate entranceways or wildlife habitats, may require special equipment that will not pose a danger to their property.
Timing
Snowfall doesn’t have a schedule, and your contractor shouldn’t have one either. The snow can start falling during rush-hour or wait until the dark. Either way, timing is one of the most sensitive issues to consider. As such, the contractor should be on hand to clear the snow as soon as it builds up. Make sure the “trigger” is well defined in your contract, so everyone knows when services should be performed.
Costs
How much will it cost you to have a contractor clear snow from your business premises? Is the service worth it? You may not have much of an option when it comes to paying for commercial snow removal services, but you can negotiate a deal that will get you the maximum value for your money. However, it is important to remember that the cost will ultimately depend on the quality and scope of services offered.
Insurance Coverage
Damages to the property are common when removing snow. This is understandable, but it doesn’t mean that you should incur the costs. The contractor is responsible for any damages caused when removing snow, and they should be held accountable for the resulting costs. As such, check to see whether your contractor has insurance coverage that guarantees payment for any damages.
Leave Nothing to Chance
Ignoring your commercial snow removal product will haunt you later, as you are obliged to pay for unsatisfactory services. As such, take some time to negotiate the contract and ensure that all these boxes are checked. You can also hire a professional to cover all open angles.
At Strategic Grounds Management, we have more than 20 years of combined experience operating throughout the exterior property maintenance industry, and we’ve cultivated a wide breadth of knowledge with how to best serve a variety of multi-location sectors. Contact us to learn more about our snow removal services.