Winter · 5 min read

What a snow contract says about trigger depth

This is the most important line in the agreement and the one most often left vague. A trigger depth is the snowfall at which the crew comes without being called. Two inches is the usual residential setting. If your contract does not name a number, you do not have a contract, you have an intention.

What happens during a long band

Lake effect does not arrive in tidy storms. A band can sit over one town for fourteen hours. The real question is whether you get one visit after it stops or repeat passes while it runs. Both are legitimate services. They cost differently, and you should know which one you bought.

The details that cause arguments

Which side of the driveway the snow stacks on
Whether the mailbox and the hydrant stay clear
Whether walks and steps are included or billed separately
Whether salting is automatic, on request, or extra

Seasonal or per push

Seasonal pricing is a fixed number for the winter no matter how much falls. Per push bills by visit. In a heavy year seasonal wins, in a light year per push wins, and nobody knows in October which kind of year is coming. What seasonal really buys is route priority, because seasonal customers get serviced before per push calls.

Sign it before November

Routes fill. By the time the first band sets up the crews are committed. An agreement signed in September costs the same as one signed in December and is worth considerably more.