Why Property Managers Should Plan for Snow Removal

As we move further into winter, the chance of more snow and ice only increases. Snow and ice make quite a mess on roads, driveways, sidewalks, and roofs. Not to mention, snow and ice can become a serious safety hazard too.

At Team Cam, we understand that snow and ice are a nuisance to both property managers and community managers, and can ultimately mean a lot of work, liability, and expense. Here are just a few things you especially do not want to happen in the wake of bad weather:

• A resident is severely injured due to falling on ice on the sidewalk
• A car accident or stuck delivery truck in your parking lot that then closes the lot to all residents so that
• they must find alternate parking
• Operations at and deliveries to your property slow or stop completely due to building
• inaccessibility
• An ice dam causes pipes to freeze or a roof caves in due to heavy snow

As you can see, it’s not just about snow plowing or sidewalk shoveling. Hiring a service provider to deal
with ice and snow in your community is one of the most important safety, legal and financial decisions
you’ll make all year. Snow plowing contractors have the experience and equipment to do the job.

Planning Ahead for Stress-Free Snow

The key to a stress-free winter season is planning. There is a lot that property managers and community managers can do prior to that first snowfall.

A well-prepared property manager uses the warm months to review their existing contract with their snow
plowing contractor, negotiate a new contract, and/or look for a new service provider. SIMA recommends
starting no later than early September to be ready for winter weather.

Choose the contract that best fits your needs and budget. It’s always best to contract for as many
services as you need and for the whole season in order to maximize consistency and budget. You don’t
want to have un-shoveled walks but plowed parking places, or vice versa. Nor do you want to misallocate your budget if this winter is especially snowy.

Make sure to consider snow removal and roof shoveling in your contract. In really bad winters, you may need snow piling up in your parking lot removed from your property. Roof shoveling is also an important service to have in order to avoid cave-ins and ice dams. There are also services available to de-ice pavement after a storm as well as pretreat pavement before a storm.

A forward-thinking property manager will work with a contractor to develop a comprehensive response
plan before winter hits. Expectations should be set for each service and for each type of weather event so that all parties are on the same page. This would include expected response times, locations for each service, and equipment and products needed in each situation, whether expected and unexpected. A reputable service provider will be happy to work with you to develop a solid plan that maximizes your budget and also minimizes time spent under snow and ice.

It’s a best practice to walk the property with a contractor to identify locations to avoid when blanketed by snow. Also identify sidewalks, curbs, trash receptacles and mailboxes that need clearing as well as locations where it would be appropriate to pile snow if need be. A good contractor will also ask to what depth the snow can be piled before you’d like it to be removed.

Finding Expert Help

Before you seek out help, be sure to determine a scope of work that outlines what you are expecting in
terms of services and timeline. Be as specific as possible when creating your plan. Include your budget
and any requirements your organization may have for outside service providers.

You’ll want to find a snow plowing/removal contractor who will be your winter weather partner, not your
winter weather enemy.

By hiring an experienced snow removal contractor, you won’t lose employees to time spent on snow shoveling nor will you lose them to snow-related injuries. Ultimately, using a reputable commercial snow plowing service ensures your residents and employees are safe and happy, maybe even enjoying the winter wonderland.

Even better, with a little bit of planning and foresight, your property will be blanketed in a winter wonderland of snow and no one will be inconvenienced or hurt. Call Team Cam today for fast reliable service and reasonable prices when it comes to snow preparedness, snow removal, and much, much more.