For property managers, wintertime can be a challenge. You will have to deal with snow and ice removal throughout the season. If you don’t address these issues, it can leave your business liable for injuries and accidents. For those who want to avoid these hassles, you should consider hiring a professional snow removal team. There are several types of contracts for snow removal. It is important to understand the difference between these plans. Once you have done your research, you can decide if a seasonal contract is the best choice for you.
Basic Contract Types
For many property owners, there are three types of snow removal contracts: time and materials, per occurrence, and seasonal. If you are looking to save money, it can be hard to choose the right one for your business. Many property owners choose the seasonal contract. This specific contract can provide you with the best return on your investment.
While these three different contracts might seem the same, they are fundamentally different in several ways. A time and materials contract will charge you a different price based on the materials and equipment used on your property. For example, if the storm produced several inches of ice, you will be charged for the excess deicing materials used at that time.
With a per occurrence contract, the same price is charged to your property no matter what materials and equipment were provided. If there is a big snowstorm, you will be charged the same amount as if there were only a couple inches of snow on the ground.
Finally, the seasonal contract will cost the same price year after year. No matter the resources provided or the number of storms, you will be charged at the same price. You can lock in these rates for three to five years.
Differences in Contracts
On the surface, the time and materials contract seems like a great deal. You don’t have to pay for services or materials that were not used on your property. However, there can be some issues with these contracts. If the contractor puts down too much salt on the driveway, you pay for all that excess salt. These accidents can lead to extra charges on your bill, and they often result in disputes with the company. In any winter season, you have to worry about the lack of predictability with the weather. Even with an accurate forecast, you never know how much you will have to pay with a time and materials contract.
If you are looking to remove the unpredictability from your contract, then a per occurrence may be a good choice. In the agreement, you can figure out how much the snow removal services will cost for the year. For the most part, these prices are static, but they get raised for severe weather events, such as blizzards. For many commercial businesses, they choose this type of contract.
However, you should not overlook the seasonal snow contract. In many places, these contracts are relatively new, but they are gaining popularity across the country. With these contracts, the prices stay the same year after year. You also don’t have to worry about a rebidding process for snow removal. These contracts allow you to rely on the same excellent snow removal services for several years.
Choose a Seasonal Snow Contract
A seasonal snow contract is also called a flat rate snow removal service. It works in a way similar to a landscaping contract. Many landscaping companies also offer these contracts as part of their services. The typical seasonal snow removal agreement will run from November to March, and many of them are valid for three to five years.
As much as you would like a lifetime contract, you will not find that option with these companies. Snowstorms are very unpredictable, and they can vary from one year to the next. You could have a snow-free first year, and then experience a significant snowstorm for the remaining years. With these contracts, the terms are long enough to average out the prices and allow a fair exchange for the service provider and property manager.
How Do Seasonal Snow Contracts Work?
As you can already tell, these contracts will clear snow from your property when you need it. You are locked into a set rate for a few years. All snow removal companies will monitor the weather. When the snow starts to fall, the crews will be out at your site to keep the spaces clear from snow. With ice storms, you can expect the teams to use deicing products to keep your sidewalks and lots safe from accidents.
Many companies know how to use their materials to keep your costs down. When you sign these contracts, a supervisor will come to your property to scout those primary areas that need the most attention. Most companies will also know your plowing preferences and budget to help keep your costs in check.
As a property manager, you want to get the best deal for your budget. With a seasonal snow removal contract, you have some budgeting predictability. You never have to worry about over-budget costs, surpluses, or contract negotiations for a few years. A seasonal contract will help you save time. There is no need to deal with the bidding processes of the past.
With the best snow removal contractors, you need to get a contract signed before the start of the winter season. Many companies already fill up with clients by November. You never want to wait too long to secure a snow removal contract for your property.
Get Reliable Snow Removal
If you want a safe and reliable company for your snow removal needs, you can count on Charlestown Landscaping. Our teams are ready to handle the heaviest snowstorms, and we will stay on your property until the job is completed. We have several options for your next snow removal contract. You can give us a call at the office or fill out the contact form for more information.