By Kaile Warren
If you have not already signed a
contract for snow plowing services, chances are you are a
procrastinator. Typically, August and September are good months to get your
plowing needs under contract. Having said that, there is timeless advice
related to hiring a contractor that I would like to share. The snow
plowing industry is one of the least regulated industries a homeowner will deal
with. Yet, the collateral damage that an unreliable plowing contractor can
cause ranges from frustrating, to life-or-death situations.
Most people believe that there are only a few items
that need to be hashed out with the plow company (i.e., time of plowing, snow
depth of each plow, where to push snow, insurance and driveway markers).
While these are worthy considerations, I would like to share other issues that
you should work out with your plowing contractor.
Do not be afraid to question your plowing contractor
about his or her skills. If you have a gravel driveway, ask the plow
operator what he or she does differently when plowing a gravel surface, as
opposed to an asphalt surface. The plow operator should tell you they lower the
plow shoes when plowing gravel surfaces, so that the plow does not remove the
surface. If the operator does not know this, chances are you will experience
collateral damage to your driveway at some point. Ask the plowing contractor if
they are current on their snow plow truck payments. This may seem a bit
personal, but you would be surprised at how often plow trucks are repossessed,
leaving the client in a real bind. Work out specific terms related to any
needed snow removal. No one likes surprises, and if a home owner/plowing
contractor's relationship is going to be challenged, it usually comes from a
snow removal need.
There is a lot to consider when hiring a plowing
contractor. Unfortunately, far too little effort goes into interviewing
and working out a solid contract. Most plow operators try to do a good job.
However, do not hesitate to set your demands, ask the tough questions and shop
around.
