When a winter storm hits, it’s important to have a reliable and trustworthy snow removal contractor that will provide excellent service for your commercial property and for your investment. In order to hire a quality snow removal company, there are a few questions we recommend asking before making the decision. Before hiring a snow removal service in southern Maine or Seacoast New Hampshire, be sure to ask the following questions.
1. Is the snow removal company insured?
Although a low-cost snow plow option is tempting – it might not be as ideal as you think. Just because a certain plow company is charging less than others doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. In fact, it might mean that their snow removal company doesn’t have the proper insurance coverage. It’s important to always ask for proof of their insurance before they service your property in case something happens on your property.
2. Does the contractor offer 24/7 snow plowing?
Another important question to ask your snow removal contractor before officially hiring them is if they offer 24/7 service. The answer to this question might make or break your decision to hire them. However, your contractor should always be willing to give you multiple points of communication including phone, text, or email information. Make sure to give them your information as well in case they have questions while servicing your property.
3. What is an average response time to snow storms?
Your snow removal contractor should be on top of all snow storms and ready to respond as quick as possible to a sudden snowfall. If you’re looking for a responsive contractor, make sure they can communicate effectively to let you know when they will be able to service your property. If their average response time to a snowstorm is 2 days, you might want to consider going with another option so you aren’t snowed in.
4. How large is their crew?
Although supporting small companies is important right now, having a small snow removal contracting company isn’t always the best idea. If you hire a small company, they might not have enough crew members on their team to service all their customers after a big snowstorm. However, larger snow contractors aren’t always best either. Large snow crews might only be able to do one round of plowing on your property and might not get to your house until the late night or early morning. Look for a company with a specific route that is organized so crew members can service multiple properties close together. These crews are more conscious of the properties they serve because they are able to take the time to do the job correctly instead of having to worry about getting to the next property on time.
5. Does their snow removal service include salting?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. Keep in mind that not all snow removal contractors include salting services! If you’re looking for salting on your driveway, pathway or walkway after the snow has been removed, make sure you communicate with your contractor to make sure those services are offered. When winter gets icy here in the New Hampshire Seacoast and Southern Maine, salting can be extremely helpful after snow removal because it eliminates the chance for the snow to turn into ice.
6. What equipment do they use?
Most snow removal companies have a full lineup of trucks and equipment designed to tackle the New England winters. If you hire a commercial snow service company, they will typically have snow plows and skid-steer loaders to use to remove snow. Smaller companies typically just use snow plows. Along with checking what equipment they use, make sure you also ask what their backup plan is in case the equipment breaks down or fails. Do they have backup vehicles? Will they still be able to service your property on backup vehicles? Make sure you check with them before you find yourself in this situation down the road.
7. Do they provide snow shoveling?
For some people, this might make or break whether they decide to go with a certain company or not. Sidewalk crews can be helpful for condo associations, schools, apartment complexes, and housing spaces that are sensitive to noise that snow blowers and other snow removal equipment causes. If you aren’t able to shovel your property, make sure you ask your contractor before officially hiring them.
After asking your snow removal contractor these questions, you should be ready to make the decision on if you want them servicing your property for the next few months or not. If you’re interested in hearing our answers to these questions, feel free to reach out to our team at Piscataqua Landscaping. To learn more about residential snow plowing, commercial snow and ice control, and pre/post storm deicing in Seacoast NH, contact our team of snow experts or call us at 207.439.2241.
