As winter approaches, commercial properties face a critical challenge: keeping their properties safe, accessible, and compliant with local regulations during snow and ice events. Snow and ice removal isn’t just about clearing sidewalks and parking lots—it’s about protecting people, managing risks, and ensuring business continuity. Tenants can capitalize on increased profitability if customers and staff can access the stores during and after a snowstorm. That’s why snow and ice removal for commercial properties is of vital importance.
Planning for the Unpredictable
Snow removal practices are evolving in response to climate change which is affecting snowfall patterns. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that some regions, particularly in the Northeast, are experiencing more intense and frequent snowfalls. Meanwhile, other areas that traditionally had snow are now seeing more ice storms.
This unpredictability means that property managers must be flexible in their snow removal contracts and strategies…
Properties that once only needed occasional snow removal services may now need to prepare for heavy, unexpected snow or ice events, making it essential to work with a snow removal contractor who can adapt to changing conditions….
Choosing the Right Vendor
It may seem like companies that do snow removal abound, but not anyone with a big truck and a snow blade on the front is the right choice for your business. Contracts for ice and snow removal should be finalized before winter strikes. Choosing the right vendor is crucial. It should be an experienced company that will be dedicated to your property every time a winter weather event occurs. The company should also have enough equipment that it can service your property even during mechanical failures.
Different properties have different needs. It’s important to choose a snow removal vendor who is experienced in the type of property you oversee. Grocery stores that serve as anchors in shopping centers have unique needs. Medical facilities and office buildings other requirements. Experienced vendors know what areas of a property are top priority.
Understanding snow removal costs is important to a location’s overall success, but cost is not the overriding factor in choosing the right vendor.
Metro Commercial has a wide network of trusted vendors. We know what pricing strategy is best for your property, it’s type of Tenants and geographic location and can negotiate the best rates well before the blizzards hit!
Terms of Service for Snow Removal Contracts
While weather forecasters make predictions about winter precipitation, no one knows for sure how many snow or ice events will occur or how much precipitation they’ll drop.
Property owners and property managers have options in snow removal. Flat-rate contracts work well for complicated, larger properties with higher occupancy rates and guarantee a fixed cost no matter how many storms hit the area.
Another option is a pay per storm price best for smaller centers or a center with lower occupancy rates in areas that experience less snow fall.
Metro Commercial can help you decide on the best plan for snow removal.
The Economics of Snow and Ice Removal: What to Expect
Annual budgets done by property management experts at Metro Commercial include projected costs for the snow and ice removal that’s of vital importance in running a business.
Snow and ice removal is not cheap.
The snow and ice removal industry in the U.S. generates an impressive $23 billion in revenue annually, according to the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). While this figure speaks to the size of the industry, it also reflects the significant investments commercial property managers must make to ensure safety.
Costs vary depending on the size of the property, types of Tenants, regional snowfall patterns, and specific contract terms.
Metro Commercial can help lower those costs by negotiating favorable contract terms. These contracts will ensure snow removal services are timely, effective, and reliable, helping property owners plan and budget effectively.
There’s More to Snow and Ice Removal Than Convenience: It’s Mitigating Liability
It’s important to make it easy for people to enter your establishment, but it’s even more important to make it safe for them to do so.
One of the most important reasons for snow and ice removal is mitigating liability. Slip-and-fall injuries are a leading concern for businesses during winter. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 25,000 slip-and-fall accidents occur daily in the U.S., many resulting from icy or snow-covered surfaces. For commercial property owners, not maintaining safe conditions could result in significant lawsuits and insurance claims.
In fact, insurance companies report that slip-and-fall claims can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more. Beyond these financial costs, reputational damage and business disruptions can also occur. In states with strong premises liability laws —such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts—snow and ice removal services are under even more scrutiny.
Local governments can levy fines on properties that do not remove snow and ice within 24 hours. In other locations, laws exist declaring where the excess snow can be moved to.
Metro Commercial property managers know the local laws controlling snow and ice removal for each facility. They will contract with snow and ice removal companies long before the first snowstorm occurs while guaranteeing that all legal requirements are met. Most importantly, Metro Commercial will ensure that your business avoids “slip and fall” claims by keeping sidewalks and entryways clear.
Communication is Key
The best way to handle a snow or ice event is to prepare before it happens. Property managers need to have a plan in place.
Snow plans outline how to handle the following issues:
- Where to pile the snow.
- What amount of precipitation necessitates snow removal.
- The location of onsite drainage and how snowmelt affects it.
- When snow removal begins.
It’s also important that the condition of the curbs is noted before snow arrives. If damage occurs from a plow, there’s proof of what it looked like before the snow removal took place.
Having a plan, choosing a snow removal vendor, and knowing what the cost will be beforehand is crucial to the success of any property.
Communicating with the vendor before, during, and after the storm will avoid headaches and make the property safe and convenient for everyone.
Metro Commercial Property Management can help.
Plan Ahead with Metro Commercial
Snow and ice removal is a complex but an essential aspect of managing commercial properties. From legal liabilities to cost management, and from environmental concerns to technological advancements, effective snow and ice removal strategies are critical to ensuring a safe and accessible property throughout the winter.
By working with reputable snow removal contractors, adopting environmentally friendly practices, and staying ahead of winter weather through real-time monitoring and smart technology, property managers can mitigate risk, protect their Tenants and customers, and avoid costly legal disputes.
Now is the time to prepare for the brutal blasts of winter. Talk to Metro Commercial about your snow and ice removal plan. We’ll ensure compliance with local regulations, secure reliable contractors, and negotiate the best possible seasonal contract to ensure your property is safe this winter.
You may not want it to snow, but if it does, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’ll be ready for whatever the winter brings!