26 Feb The Essential Checklist for Hiring a Snow Removal Team
Whether you are looking for a commercial snow removal service or a residential one, it is important to hire the right team. You can ensure this by asking the right questions.
For instance, you can ask about their winter preparation checklists. With the #1 service software, you can have your clients fill out these checklists digitally and send them for signature.
Qualifications
When hiring snow removal employees, a person’s experience is important but equally as essential are the qualities they possess. Aside from technical knowledge of industry tools & processes, you want to make sure the people you bring onboard can adapt to your company culture & work ethic. This is why it’s crucial that new hires undergo a thorough training process, including shadowing you or other more experienced crew members.
When you interview potential contractors, you should be able to ask them about their snow removal process & what equipment they will use for your property’s needs. This will help you determine how effective a service provider will be for your business, ensuring that they are prepared to handle whatever storm may come.
Additionally, you should inquire about the specifics of their service packages. For example, do they offer additional services like ice melt applications and prevention of slippery surfaces? This will help ensure that your customers & employees are safe as they move throughout your property.
Finally, you should also inquire about their availability and communication practices. Snow management is a critical service that can be affected by many variables, and you want to ensure that your contractor prioritizes open and clear communication throughout the winter.
If you aren’t comfortable with the way they communicate, it’s likely best to look elsewhere for your snow removal needs. A reliable company will prioritize customer satisfaction and always follow through on their promises. This includes showing up when they say they will, delivering the services they promise, and communicating clearly with their clients.
Reputation
If a snow removal team isn’t doing a great job, puts employees or customers at risk, damages property, or doesn’t follow local safety laws, they can be held liable for thousands of dollars in refunds, litigation fees, fines, and repairs. Make sure any providers you hire are fully insured with liability, worker’s compensation, and general business insurance.
Ask about their reputation in the community, and try to get a feel for how they run their business. All reputable snow contractors list their addresses, so you can go check out their fleet in person. If a provider only lists a P.O. box, it should be the first red flag.
It’s also worth asking whether they conduct preseason site visits to familiarize their teams with each client’s properties. This helps them assess the size and layout of driveways, walkways, and other obstacles that could prevent snow removal teams from accessing certain areas. It also helps them better understand the equipment their teams will need, such as plows and salt spreaders.
Good snow removal companies pay attention to details when they’re bidding for contracts, ensuring their estimates accurately account for weather unpredictability. They may also consider how their work will affect traffic patterns, parking restrictions, and the overall safety of their clients’ properties.
When you’re hiring a new snow removal crew, it’s important to remember that it takes time to train them. This can cause some short-term loss, but it’s better to invest in quality people than to deal with the cost and reputation damage of an underperforming crew. If you find that your team is consistently underperforming, it’s likely due to systematic factors in your business.
Insurance
Snow removal is a dangerous job, and even the most experienced snow removal pros are not immune to accidents. Shoveling can lead to pulled muscles, sprained ankles, and head trauma, while other services like de-icing and salting present their own set of risks. For this reason, it’s important to find out if your prospective snow removal company has the proper insurance coverage before hiring them.
Workers’ compensation, general liability, and auto insurance are all essential for snow removal contractors to have. In addition, you’ll want to make sure they’re covered for property damage caused by their equipment or the work they perform. You’ll also want to confirm that they have the resources and materials to handle all of your winter needs. This includes a reliable supply of salt, which is often in short supply in the wintertime and can have drastic price fluctuations.
It’s also a good idea to find out what kind of insurance coverage they have for their employees. Workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement in most states and helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits for workers who are injured on the job. Auto insurance protects the vehicles used for snow removal and can help pay for repairs in the event of an accident.
Hiring a professional snow removal team is an excellent way to ensure your commercial properties stay safe and accessible for customers and employees. But before you choose a snow removal provider, it’s important to take the time to assess your specific needs and hire the right people for the job. By using a comprehensive checklist like this, you’ll be able to avoid common hiring mistakes and find the best team for your business.
Equipment
Whether you’re looking for commercial snow removal services or residential ones, the quality of equipment plays a big role in the speed, efficiency and overall quality of the work. It’s important to ask a potential provider what kind of equipment they have, and to see it in person if possible.
Besides the standard snow plows, shovels and salting equipment, you should inquire about a provider’s ice melters, snow blowers, skid loaders and other larger equipment to get an idea of their capabilities. Some providers also own their own fleet of trucks and equipment, which is a good sign that they are invested in their business.
You should find out what equipment the provider has in their inventory and how many pieces they have in total. Larger snow removal companies tend to have a sizable fleet of vehicles, including plows and de-icing trucks, which can increase their speed, accuracy and quality of service. If a team doesn’t have the proper equipment for your job, it could take longer and cost you more money.
If you hire a snow removal service that doesn’t do the job well, it can put your employees or customers at risk and may leave your property in disrepair. To avoid this, start your search early and use the time before winter arrives to thoroughly vet providers and decide which is best for you.
The most valuable piece of information you can get when hiring a new snow removal service is an official contract. This will establish legal liability in the event that something goes wrong and ensures that you’re receiving the quality of service you expect. It’s worth the extra effort to make sure you’re working with a reputable and professional provider.
Pricing
Running a snow removal business requires you to strike a delicate balance between profitability and competitiveness. Achieving this requires accurate pricing calculations to ensure your team stays profitable, as well as flexible strategies for handling market changes.
Some of the most important considerations in pricing are overhead rates, labor costs, and customer demand. Taking your time to assess these factors can help you determine what rate is appropriate for your services. You should also consider additional costs, such as the cost of salt and other materials needed for winter maintenance. These additional costs should be included in your overhead rate, as they will affect your profitability.
Once you have established a clear costing model, you should then develop a pricing formula. This is a formula that will allow you to create itemized quotes for clients, ensuring they know exactly what they are getting for their money. There are a few different pricing models to choose from, including price per hour, price per season, and price per push. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is best to research each option before making a decision.
The price per hour model is a common option for snow removal businesses, as it is one of the most straightforward and easiest to calculate. It is ideal for customers who are looking for regular services, such as businesses or residences that use snow removal frequently. The price per season model is another great choice for businesses that want to receive regular snow removal services but don’t need them year-round.
In addition to these pricing options, it is important to establish clear response times and other specifications for your services. This will help to build trust and keep your clients happy.