Nov
14
Compare Snow Removal Contracts for a Clear Parking Lot
November 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
In what seems like no time at all, the snow season will be here. If you live in an area where the snow often builds up, you will want to have a good plan in place to have snow removed from your driveway or parking lot of your business, apartment complex or church. The best way to make these plans is to have already chosen between snow removal contractors to find a plan to keep your driveway or parking lot clear.
When talking with contractors, they should visit your home, business, church or apartment complex to view the situation of your driveway or parking lot before they write the agreement. Make sure that everything is in writing in the agreement. This removes any doubt as to what work is to be done and what is to be left for you.
As you interview each snow removal contractor, be sure to ask for an estimate. The cost of snow removal can vary greatly from one contractor to another.
If you need work done other than just the removal of snow from the driveway or parking lot, such as stairs or sidewalks, be sure that this work is also included in the estimate or you can choose to do it yourself. Since this kind of work is more labor intensive and takes longer than just plowing your driveway or parking lot, it can be very expensive. Most snow removal companies do this work on an hourly basis and charge for the snow plow truck that is sitting idle in your lot.
Be sure to ask for an estimate of the total bill for plowing the driveway or parking lot. This is the easiest way for you to make comparisons. It you find one estimate is much more or much less, take time to find out what causes the difference. Perhaps the estimate is more because it includes the charge for spreading salt and sand on the parking lot or driveway. Lower estimates may have left this amount out of the bill. Ask each snow plow contractor to include all the items in the estimates.
Be sure that you ask about additional charges if the contractor must plow your driveway or parking lot additional times during a very big snow storm. You will want to know if there is an extra bill.
Make certain that your contractor has adequate insurance in case any accidents happen on your property. Snowplows are large and powerful. Accidents can and do happen regularly. The contractor’s insurance should pay for any damage to buildings, driveways, fences, grass or shrubs that the plow causes.
Be sure that the contract states the exact dates the service begins and ends. In addition, if early termination of the contract is needed, you will need to know if there will be extra charges.
When hiring a snow plowing contractor, always ask for references and take the time to check them out before signing the contract. Contractors that do a good job have nothing to hide and word of mouth is the best advertising for them.
A contract that covers these areas leaves little that is open for disappointment in the service. The contract protects both you and the contractor. It will ensure that you have your driveway or parking lot kept clear of snow for the entire winter so that you are able to have quick access to the main road from your business or home.
Snow season will be here before you know, and for those who live where snow often builds up, it is important to have plans to have the snow removed preferably by snow removal contractors . snow removal contracts can help to totally you always have access you need.
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