When you hear the term ‘global warming’, you probably think that would lead to less snow in the winter. Turns out, that is not how it works. If anything, the increasingly unstable weather conditions that climate change is bringing mean more snow and therefore, more demand for snow removal.
But, if you are a commercial property or facilities manager, what does that mean for you? It might even be that you’ve never thought of commercial snow and ice management until now.
If that’s the case, do not worry! Property Manager Insider is happy to give you the low down on everything you need to know. Read on to find out more.
What Is a Commercial Snow Contract?
If you own or manage a commercial property, you will know all about your responsibilities when it comes to sorting out problems that occur within your property. Whether it is the hot water not working or the interior needing a fresh lick of paint. It is all part and parcel of managing property.
But, most of these things are either down to human error or general wear and tear. What’s the deal when the property needs to be maintained from extreme weather? That’s where a commercial snow and ice management contract comes in.
This is an agreement between a snow removal company and commercial property managers. It can include a variety of services including blowing, plowing, and shoveling, but the main goal is removing snow from the property.
Signing snow and ice management contracts can put you and your residents at ease knowing the job will be taken care of without any hassle.
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Different Types of Contract
While it seems simple, there are several different types of commercial snow and ice management contract. It all depends on your needs. To give you a better idea, we have broken it down.
Fixed Price
Also known as a seasonal contract, this one is the standard winter option. If you manage property in an area that has very predictable seasons and you know exactly when to expect it, this one is for you. Because of that, the fee is fixed – hence the name.
One of the big benefits of this choice is that it makes budgeting much easier. As you pay a fixed price, when you sit down to work out your finances for the next quarter, your outgoings for snow removal are simple. No matter how much it snows, you are covered.
Another reason a fixed price or seasonal contract is good is that the contracts tend to be set for three to five years. That completely removes the task of finding a snow removal company every time the season comes around. You will know exactly what you’re getting and who you will be working with.
Per Inch
The second option available is per inch. Or pay per push depending on what the snow removal company has called it. Either way, the deal is simple. You pay for exactly the amount of snow you need to remove as and when you need it.
This choice is probably not ideal for places where there is a confirmation of snow. Instead, this is a good option for those managers who have a property in areas where the weather is unpredictable. You do not want to pay out for a fixed deal if there is a high chance you might get no snow. Equally, if there is snow, you know your residents will require it gone.
As you can expect, this option does come in a little pricier when looking at the removal of the actual amount of snow. If you get a bad storm and there is a lot of snow for a few days, your costs will be high.
Per Event
As you might imagine, this option is a great solution to the problem we just raised in the previous section. If you have one big snowstorm in the season, you might end up paying through the roof using a per-inch contract. This is the alternative.
Rather than paying per inch, you will pay per event. That means if there is a big snowstorm, you will pay a fixed fee for the removal of the snow and ice the storm leaves, regardless of how much there is. See how that might be better than a per-inch contract?
If you are a commercial property manager there are several options available to you. Understanding your needs is the first step of the process ahead of signing that snow and ice management contract.
What to Look For
To start, make sure the snow removal company is willing to work for the duration of time you expect snow. Then, if you go for anything outside of an all-inclusive contract, check to see if there is a minimum amount of snow the company requires before they will remove it.
They might want to keep some equipment onsite – check if there is a fee for that. Finally, it is a good idea to check whether the contract includes any options for particularly harsh weather where the removal might require more than the usual amount of work.
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Commercial Snow and Ice Management Contracts You Can Trust
Ultimately, as property or facility managers, getting a commercial snow and ice management contract is highly recommended. This will make sure there is preparation for the unpredictable weather ahead, and ensure your residents are happy.
If you need any advice or resources when it comes to sorting your snow removal contract, get in touch with us at Property Manager Insider and we would be happy to help.
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Property managers can use BidSource to have our team find a commercial snow and ice removal contractor ready to assist with your needs this winter. Share your snow removal needs using the form below and our team will be in touch with a qualified contractor!
