With winter right around the corner, you want to be ready so your tenants and visitors remain safe on your property. Here’s how to prepare for winter by setting up snow removal as part of your commercial landscape maintenance in Hinsdale, IL.

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Winter maintenance is just as important as summer maintenance. Even if the entire landscape is covered in snow, there are still aesthetic considerations (such as proper removal of dirty snow piles at the perimeter of your parking area) that can give tenants the assurance that the property is well cared-for all year around. And there are practical and safety concerns that must be addressed throughout the winter months, particularly safe entry and egress to all vehicular and pedestrian areas.

Comprehensive winter maintenance helps keep your commercial property looking neat and well-kept all year. This helps reduce tenant turnover and will help attract quality tenants to any vacancies you may have.

Here’s how to get ready for winter:

1. Get a snow removal contract as early as you can.

It’s easy to forget about winter when the summer temperatures are high. But the moment temperatures drop and the first flakes of snow fall, commercial property owners need to be ready and have a plan in place for snow plowing, snow removal, and ice melting. 

Waiting until the last minute can result in snow removal companies being fully booked and unable to accommodate your needs in a timely manner. Snow removal companies take on the bulk of their contracts during summer and early fall. This gives them an opportunity to hire additional crews and establish an efficient strategy for fast responses that take care of their clients whenever a storm hits. 

By planning early, you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing your needs will be prioritized. 

2. Discuss specifics

Always discuss the specifics of a snow removal contract with a company you’re considering. Ask how snow will be removed from the premises (or will it just be plowed into a corner?). Ask what types of deicers the company uses (certain types of deicers will etch or stain expensive paver surfaces, so it’s important to use the right type for your situation). And finally, ask how the snow removal company protects tenant property, such as vehicles (ask for proof of current insurance as well as a document listing the company’s standard practices).

3. Stock up 

Anyone living in the northeastern US knows to stock up on essentials to always be prepared for big storms. As a commercial property owner, you also want to stock up on ice melt and road salt to keep your walkways, entryways, and parking lots ice-free and safe. While deicing is often a part of a snow removal contract, your contract may have limits as to how deep the snow can be before the crews come out. So, you need to be ready for lighter snowfalls, ice storms, or winter rains that freeze overnight. Keeping a season’s supply of bagged salt, ice melt and various deicing products will ensure the safety of your tenants and visitors.

Winter is somewhat unpredictable. Some years the snow falls early, often, and deep. Other years, the skies may look threatening but nothing much happens on the ground. We recommend you get your snow removal contract in place as early in the season as possible so that you’re ready for anything Mother Nature dishes out!

Related: HOW A COMMERCIAL SNOW REMOVAL COMPANY CAN ATTRACT NEW TENANTS IN OAK BROOK, IL