If you approach your snow and ice budget with the goal of saving money, you’re on a slippery slope.
Sure, you can reduce the cost with a few tricks: close off a parking lot here, a sidewalk or doorway there, or limit the bags of ice melt used on your site.
But are you willing to take the risk?
The Predicament of Predictions
Predicting your snow and ice budget year to year can be difficult. In North Carolina, most years are heavy on ice but light on snow — and conditions can vary even between neighboring areas. A property in Durham might face several more inches of snow while one in Holly Springs deals with heavier ice.
Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best
The safest strategy is to plan for the worst storm you’ve ever experienced. Snow and ice are completely unpredictable in North Carolina. One year may pass with minimal events, while the next brings multiple storms. Contractors must always be prepared.
If the winter turns out mild, any unused budget can be redirected to other priorities, like property enhancements. Since snow season typically wraps up early in the fiscal year, you’ll know by spring whether you’re under budget.
The Risk Factor
Every property faces a different level of risk. Hospitals, retail spaces, and manufacturing facilities may face higher repercussions if someone slips and falls, with costs that far exceed the price of snow removal.
Those costs can include legal fees, medical expenses, higher insurance premiums, and workers’ compensation claims. Every property manager has to weigh their own level of risk tolerance, but keeping walkways and lots safe is almost always the less expensive choice.
Limiting Costs, Increasing Liability
Some property managers try to save money by closing sections of their property, such as a parking lot, or by limiting service. A snow removal contract allows clients to define exactly which areas are treated and how much product is applied.
However, reduced service shifts more liability back to the property owner. For example, limiting plowing or ice melt in certain areas means the owner assumes responsibility for any accidents that occur there.
Choose Your Tier
Greenscape, Inc. offers two tiers of snow removal service.
- Tier One: Top priority — serviced first.
- Tier Two: Lower priority — service may not occur until after a major storm passes.
High-traffic properties like hospitals or retail centers often require the Tier One option to minimize disruption.
Ponder Your Priorities
Some property managers make snow and ice a top budget priority, while others put it at the bottom. Cutting corners can backfire. An unrealistically low budget may mean a contractor can’t make the property safe, while insufficient snow management could impact tenant satisfaction, lease renewals, or even business operations if employees can’t get to work.
Plan Your Snow Removal Now
The best time to plan for snow is well before the first storm. Contractors typically set routes, secure subcontractors, and stock supplies months in advance. Waiting until an ice storm arrives leaves little room to prepare.
Trust Greenscape, Inc. With Your Snow Removal
At Greenscape, Inc., we know how crucial it is to have safe, clear parking lots and walkways at commercial properties.
We provide reliable snow and ice removal for our current landscaping customers, and clients with a signed snow removal contract receive top priority.
Questions about your snow removal budget? We’re happy to help.
For more than 35 years, we’ve been serving the full-service landscaping needs of commercial and residential customers in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary. We offer landscape management and lawn care, design and build services, irrigation, landscape lighting, and more.
Call us at 919-552-7742 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation about snow removal or any of our comprehensive services.
We can’t wait to hear from you.