Landscape companies also often provide snow removal services as an additional offering, with access to equipment and knowledge necessary for efficiently clearing driveways, walkways, parking spots and roads of snow accumulation.
Homeowners can hire snow removal services on either a contract basis or will-call basis, making sure the business has insurance and has earned a positive standing among residents in the community. When searching for the ideal plow company, make sure they carry adequate liability coverage while possessing positive references from previous customers.
1. Experience
Snow removal professionals have the knowledge and skills to access all areas of lawn features, curbs, gardens or flower beds without damaging them with plows or shovels. Furthermore, they can assist homeowners with creating an effective snow removal strategy and getting their yard ready for spring.
if you own a business, local snow removal professionals can quickly clear sidewalks and parking lots to protect customers and employees from slip-and-fall injuries. Furthermore, they know which ice melt products are pet-safe without staining sidewalks or driveways.
Some snow removal services charge by the hour while others offer seasonal contracts at a set price that last throughout the winter season. When selecting potential contractors, ask their pricing policies so you are prepared when it comes time for negotiations; you’ll feel more at ease having a solid pricing strategy in place and can avoid surprises with detailed quotes available beforehand.
3. Equipment
Snow removal companies require the proper tools for their work, from shovels, blowers, and plows to salt spreaders and brine systems that introduce liquid into granular salt to accelerate melting while preventing refreezes. Salts and other chemicals are used for deicing parking lots and sidewalks.
Skid-steer loaders are an excellent solution for larger jobs involving snow removal. Equipped with various attachments such as straight blades, snow V-blades, angle brooms, push brooms, and buckets – they offer multiple means of snow clearance and removal.
Ask any prospective contractors whether they use their own equipment or subcontract out. According to Elite Landscape Group, owner-operators who take an interest in customer satisfaction often produce better results. Furthermore, such businesses usually have enough staff members on hand during major snowfall events so as to meet demand effectively.
4. Pricing
Operating a snow removal service incurs many overhead expenses, such as wages (per worker), vehicle maintenance costs, fuel consumption fees, and insurance premiums; therefore professional snow removal companies usually charge between $50-150 per hour on average for their services.
Based on your expertise and equipment, you may be able to offer additional services like salting, ice removal, roof clearing, and tree trimming. While these may cost more to provide, they could help boost your bottom line while drawing new customers in.
Many homeowners opt to hire professionals rather than undertake snow removal themselves, since purchasing and maintaining their own snowplow can be costly, risking injury and property damage in the process. Some snow removal contractors provide full-season contracts while others operate on an as-needed or hourly basis; when getting estimates ask about pricing so you’ll know exactly what to expect.