Think back to November 19th, 2015 when weather stations announced an early snowfall in Chicagoland. The initial forecast was described as a rain event that would change to snow leaving a couple of inches in its wake. The result was 11.2 inches of snowfall at O’Hare! Do you remember the initial 3 inches of slushy mixture that turned to ice the day after the storm?  

Those of you that were prepared with your service contract signed well in advance of this event were very fortunate. For those of us that provide snow and ice management services, we commend you on being proactive last season. Planning ahead allows us to prepare our equipment and manpower for unexpected events like that one. You are AMAZING!  

Did you know? The average first frost date for Chicago is October 24th. Given that, now is the perfect time to review your Snow and Ice Management service agreement for the coming winter. Your contract may require renewal, unless you are currently in a multi-year agreement. To help with preparations, we encourage signing a contract early, with a ‘drop-dead’ date of October 1st.

• You should have 24/7 access to your snow contractor, including an emergency number. Primary contact is the snow operations manager, followed by their second in command, the account representative. If all else fails, every contractor should have a 1-800 number, answered at all times.
• Is your current agreement price based upon per-occurrence billing or a seasonal lump sum figure? Either agreement is acceptable and is fair to both the customer and the contractor. Every situation is unique and we can help you determine what’s best for you.
• Full service agreements vary dramatically and include specifications for salting and plowing. It is essential to know what you are paying for and when it will happen.
• A pre-season meeting with your contractor at the property is critical to confirm site conditions and your specific needs. Items such as snow pile areas, handicap access, equipment location, plowing patterns, drifting locations, priority areas, and potential problem zones need to be discussed and documented.
• Make sure you feel confident that the contractor you have chosen has the proper equipment, manpower and systems in place to keep your property safe and usable during even the toughest winter events ahead.

Preparing for and performing snow and ice management can be a challenging task for all property managers and snow fighting contractors. Winter weather can be extremely unpredictable and we must be ready for anything that Mother Nature throws at us. Help us help you by contacting us today to finalize your snow and ice service agreement for the coming winter.