We’ve come a long way since childhood.
Remember waking up and peering through the curtains to see a thick blanket of freshly fallen powder then running downstairs, screaming, “SNOW DAY!”
That juvenile joy just isn’t there as an adult, when you don fur-lined boots with your bathrobe and head out to shovel the walk before a day of babysitting cocoa-drunk kids — and it’s even worse when you own a business and know you’ve got a mess on your hands that needs to be cleared away so you and your customers can go about your day.
That, of course, is where commercial landscape contractors come in. The process of hiring the right one may seem daunting which includes looking closely at what a commercial snow removal contract entails, so let’s take a look at some of the first steps in choosing a commercial snow and ice removal contractor — and how we do things at Neave Group Snow & Ice Management.
What is a Snow Removal Contract?
A commercial snow removal contract is a legally binding agreement between a snow removal company and its clients. It provides the terms of your relationship and protects your snow removal business from potential disputes or litigation. The basic contract includes a wide variety of snow and ice management services such as snow blowing, snow plowing, shoveling snow, ice and snow removal services, etc.
Our Commercial Snow Removal Contract Pricing Process
We begin our snow removal pricing process with an in-person, on-site meeting where we’ll walk around your commercial property and discuss any areas of concern. We create a snow removal site map and find as many challenges and obstacles on the property as possible — before there’s any snow on the ground. (Be sure you tell us about any special needs your business has during this meeting, too!)
Based on what we find, we’ll evaluate what snow removal equipment and manpower will be necessary for your commercial property, then we’ll come back to you with an estimate of the contract price and snow removal contract that takes our resources and your needs into account.
We’ll work with you (and your budget) to create a snow removal plan that will keep your commercial property as clear and safe as possible — and we’ll make sure you understand every service and other item included in your snow removal contract.
Types of Commercial Snow Removal Contracts
There are three kinds of snow removal contracts: fixed price per season, per-inch contract, and based on individual events. Both have financial risks involved, both for the customer and the contractor, as pricing is based on a “typical” winter — and winters are never typical!
Fixed pricing (seasonal contract)
Commonly known as fixed fee contracts, these removal contracts are based on a “typical” winter — but of course, what winter is ever typical? Commercial property owners pay a fixed fee for the season, whether it’s dry as a bone or there are blizzard conditions for months.
Per-inch
With these snow plowing contracts, clients pay the contractors only if there’s snowfall, but because cost is calculated per inch of snow, if there is a big storm, you’ll be paying more.
Per-event (event contract)
You would only charge a fixed fee for each snow event. This could be beneficial in regions that are not as active, but rather it tends to be less profitable in regions with steady snow occasions.
Every year is different, and we offer different types of snow removal contracts because each client’s needs and ability to take risks are different. In a winter where snowfall is double the average, clients on fixed-price contracts are likely getting a “better deal” — and the reverse is true in a mild winter for per-inch-snow removal contract clients.
Here at Neave Group Snow & Ice Management, we aren’t looking to get rich every winter — we’re all about stability for our business as well as our clients’. We have in place a financial “snow hedging system” that lets us shoulder our customers’ risk and provide competitive snow removal pricing, outstanding customer service regardless of snowfall, and peace of mind that we will be there regardless of snowfall year after year.
Winter isn’t far off! Make sure your property is as safe as possible when the weather turns nasty. Call Neave Group’s snow and ice management professionals today. If you’re in the Hudson Valley, call us at 845-463-0592. If you’re in Westchester County, call 914-271-7996; from Connecticut, dial 203-212-4800. Or, fill out our simple web form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.