When choosing a commercial snow removal company, there’s much talk about trigger points and de-icer, but your choice really boils down to trust.
Who will you trust to clear your property safely, reliably and efficiently so you have peace of mind?
Liability looms. You’re responsible for taking “reasonable care” in managing the property so that employees and visitors are safe from frustratingly common slip—and—fall accidents.
It’s enough to keep you up at night, right?
What should you look for when choosing professional snow removal?
- Do They Offer Seasonal Snow Removal Contracts?
- Do They Have GPS On Their Snow Removal Equipment?
- How Do They Handle Ice?
- Ask About Their Snow Removal Equipment
- How Big is Their Snow Removal Team?
- The Importance of Insurance
- How Well Will They Communicate?
- What Sets a Commercial Snow Removal Company Apart from the Rest? Ask Them
A proper snow removal operation requires key components such as GPS-equipped trucks and plows, a well-maintained fleet, and various contract options, including seasonal contracts. Effective ice management with environmentally friendly products and proper insurance coverage are also essential.
Additionally, having a well-trained crew and clear communication is vital to meet the needs of your commercial property.
Let’s learn more about finding the right snow removal services below.
Do They Offer Seasonal Snow Removal Contracts?
When choosing a snow removal service, you want to know how to pay for it.
You might be used to paying “per push,” which works exactly how it sounds — you pay the commercial snow removal company each time crews show up at your property to plow.
How often they plow depends on the “trigger depth” you and your contractor agree on beforehand. Trigger depth is the amount of snow accumulation that needs to fall before crews show up to plow — usually between one and two inches.
No snow? No bill! Lunch is on you! A ton of snow? Toss back some Tums and fork over the cash.
Too nerve-wracking? Here in Southeast Idaho, it is. That’s why you want the option for a seasonal snow removal contract to stabilize your commercial snow removal rates.
You pay one fixed price to have your property plowed for the season, no matter how many — or few — times it snows.
Huge snowstorm? No worries. You know your property will be plowed. No stress about your budget being hit every time the snow piles up.
Typically, these seasonal contracts are multi-year. That way, the mild winters and the heavy-snow winters usually balance out. Bonus: you don’t have to navigate a new snow removal contract yearly.
Speaking of contracts, make sure yours is crystal clear. Does it include hauling the snow off-site or just pushing it aside on your property? Where exactly on your property will crews put the snow? Will they pre-treat with brine? Is hand shoveling included?
Make sure it includes a detailed list of services before you sign.
Do They Have GPS On Their Professional Snow Removal Equipment?
Ensure your snow removal service has GPS systems installed on its equipment so it can tell you exactly when its crews were on the site.
This isn’t about you being a control freak. If someone says they took a spill on your property and were injured, you want to be able to provide court-admissible GPS stats that show exactly when snow crews were on your site and how long they were there clearing snow and ice from your property.
Outback Landscape installed GPS tracking on all of our snow and ice management vehicles back in 2010, before many other professional snow removal companies adopted this handy technology. It’s a huge peace of mind.
Snow Removal Services: How Do They Handle Ice?
If a snow removal service still uses straight rock salt as a de-icer, that’s a big no.
Sure, rock salt melts ice, but it then seeps into area waterways, creating a hostile environment for wildlife. It’s also damaging to surrounding landscaping. There are better, safer options.
At Outback Landscape, we only use environmentally-friendly ice melt products, including a menu of options designed for specific conditions.
Choose a commercial snow removal company that uses other key players for de-icing, including liquid magnesium chloride, treated rock salt, and brine — all significantly better for the environment.
Ask Snow Removal Services About Their Equipment — Is It Enough?
One big plow doesn’t cut it for thorough, efficient snow removal.
If your commercial property has a combination of parking lots, sidewalks and walkways, your commercial snow removal company will need a comprehensive fleet of plows and blowers to do the job right.
Is the company’s equipment reliable and well-maintained? That matters, too. Maybe they charge less than other snow removal services, but who cares about a price break if their equipment is old and unreliable and breaks down?
You need them to show up on your property, ready for battle, when snow and ice hit.
How Big is Their Professional Snow Removal Team?
Beyond having the right equipment, your professional snow removal contractor should also have enough skilled and trained crew members to tackle your property’s needs.
Here in Idaho, snow can fall fast and in big amounts. Do they have the employees needed to get to your commercial property quickly? Or will they be scrambling to round up enough quality team members?
The Importance of Insurance in Snow Removal Contracts
Don’t assume every snow removal service has comprehensive insurance coverage. Ask them.
Outback Landscape carries specific insurance to cover all aspects of our work, including snow removal.
Not every snow removal company does.
If your snow removal service doesn't have the right insurance, you are responsible for any injury or damage on your site.
An umbrella policy might not cover snow removal services. That’s not good enough. Be sure your commercial snow removal company is covered for the specific tasks they'll be doing on your property so you’re not blamed for any accidents.
How Well Will They Communicate with You?
You want to know exactly what’s going on out there. Partner with a commercial snow removal company that will keep you informed — before and after a storm.
Do they monitor the weather and update you before a storm? Will somebody pick up the phone when you want to reach them?
Communication is crucial.
What Sets a Commercial Snow Removal Company Apart from the Rest? Ask Them
Any great snow removal service should have a list of reasons why they’re the best. If they can’t tell you what sets them apart, who can?
Ask why you should sign with them instead of their competitors. You should get a reassuring list of reasons: frequent communication, top-notch equipment and technology, transparent pricing, friendly, efficient service, secure, targeted insurance, and reliable reliability.
If their list is so long you might be late for your next meeting, good.
Need Reliable Snow Removal in Boise and Idaho Falls? Trust Outback
Who can you trust?
The commercial snow removal company you hire should help you sleep at night, ensuring they have an experienced team, substantial equipment, reassuring insurance coverage, and a communication strategy that keeps you in the know.
You can depend on Outback Landscape. Trust us to understand how important it is for your site to be safe and clear this winter — and provide the skilled, reliable services to make that happen.
You’ll have access to a comprehensive array of snow removal services, including snow plowing, hauling and innovative ice melt applications that won’t harm your property’s turf or plant materials.
Our staff includes certified snow professionals, and all of our snow removal equipment is well-maintained and has GPS systems on board.
Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, and Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties.
Contact Outback Landscape for a free snow removal estimate at 208-656-3220, or complete the contact form to schedule an onsite consultation. We’d love to hear from you.
