Are you completely torn between the choice of hiring a snow removal service or picking up the shovel by yourself and remove that pleasant looking but highly dangerous layer of snow around your house? Do you know the basics about hiring a service for this task? If you’re doing it for the first time or just need advice, read on.
While there’s nothing wrong with doing this by yourself, there are certain circumstances under which you must not do it. Hiring is better than shoveling especially when you have some health problems.
Following are the things you must know while hiring a snow removal service.
1. Look for services during off season: If you’re waiting for the snow to pile up before you start looking for someone to hire, you’re highly mistaken. Almost all the landscaping companies offer services in off season and thus, have a long list of customers already. Stop delaying your research and start looking before winter sets in.
2. How to begin searching for such companies?: start by asking your neighbours and other people around your area for whom they recommend. Read reviews. Search on internet for snow removal service providers in your area and do a thorough research on them.
3. What you need to ask while hiring the company?: We often forget to ask the most important questions while hiring such services. Here are some questions which you must ask and consider.
- Ask for how much snow will trigger their service.
- Also, tell the company if you’ve some special needs for example if you want to give priority to plowing. Most of the companies consider plowing at the end. So, asking them about their working style and telling them about your own needs is a good idea.
- And then ask the obvious question about how much they charge.
4. Look for the license: It is advisable that you hire a company that has appropriate license for the task. Also, ask if they’re sufficiently insured and bonded. A licensed service provider may seem to be costly to hire in the beginning but they can save you from a lot of hassles and damage. So, it is a better idea in the long run to hire a licensed snow removal service.
5. Inquire about the additional charges: Besides the quoted price, additional charges are applicable during extreme weather. Some services charge extra (by inch) after snow reaches a certain depth. Here you also need to inquire about how the company calculates the size of snowfall and also details about additional charges.
6. Find out what services are you getting: Try to find out what exactly is included in the estimate provided to you. Are the steps and sidewalks included? Who will cover the cost of salt? Will the company work during snowfall or only after the storm is cleared?
7. About settling the agreement: the most important part is get a written agreement signed. This is a very safe option and consider it a mandatory step for your own benefit. Also, don’t discuss the agreement on telephone. A face to face conversation should be preferred.
Now that you know these things, make sure you keep these things in mind while hiring a snow removal service.
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