Here in Utah, winters can be rough. It’s not uncommon for large storms to blow in over the mountains and dump snow. In Salt Lake City, the state’s capital, the record for one-day snowfall is 13.8 inches! That’s a lot of snow in one day. So as a Utah business owner, you know that it’s essential to have a good snow removal plan in place for your business because we might get a record snowfall one day!
Hiring a snow removal team isn’t as easy as it looks. Snow removal has often been an afterthought for many landscaping companies looking to boost their revenue during winter when work dries up. But in the past few years, the American National Standards Institute and the Accredited Snow Contractors Association have created an official industry standard for snow removal companies. You can learn more about this standard here. Companies must have adequate training, documentation and reporting procedures, appropriate insurance, and best business practices to meet the official standard.
But certification isn’t the only thing you should ask about when creating a snow removal plan. You must also outline what services you would like covered and when. For example, there are three different types of snow removal including:
- Snow shoveling, blowing, or plowing: Make sure you determine how the snow will be cleared from your property. You’ll want to ensure that your sidewalks, pathways, parking lots, and other areas are included in your agreement. Some of these areas may need to be done by hand or blower, and you must outline the type of services you’d like in your agreement with the contractor.
- Snow hauling: If you want the snow completely removed from your property, you’ll have to specify that with your contractor as well. This may involve additional trucks, plows, and hauling costs, so be prepared for that expense.
- Snow banking: If hauling the snow away is too expensive for you, another option is to have your snow removal contractor pile the snow in an unused area of your property. Make sure that if you choose this option, the contractor knows how to bank the snow safely and that you will still have adequate space for your business. Also, ensure that the snow banks will not flood your business when they begin to melt.
You must also outline ice removal methods to protect pedestrians from slips and falls with your snow removal contractor. Some ice removal options include liquid deicer, salt, or scraping. Again, make sure you go over this when outlining your services with your contractor and agree on a method that ensures the safety of your employees and customers.
There’s a lot to consider when you hire a snow removal company. Most importantly, you want to ensure that the company you choose knows what they are doing, will come quickly in the event of snow, and will not damage your business or property during the process. If you need help selecting an appropriate contractor, let us help. We offer facility management services, including finding trusted and pre-screened vendors for all your facility needs, including snow removal. If this is a service you might be interested in, visit our website to learn more!
