Grand Rapids Snow Removal – Checklist for Hiring the Best Grand Rapids Snow Plow Company
Michigan winters can leave business owners scrambling to get rid of snow and keep their doors open for customers. Although it might seem simple to hire the guy next door with the snow plow, or crank up the old snowblower and take care of things yourself, Grand Rapids snow removal usually requires the attention of a professional. Snow and ice that is not removed and treated properly can cause devastating slip and fall injuries that could kill or injure someone, cost your Michigan business a lot of money and damage your reputation. So if you are in Grand Rapids or Lansing MI, contact Sneller to see how we’re different from other snow removal contractors. But if you’re somewhere else, here’s a checklist for hiring the best Grand Rapids snow plow company that should be helpful:
1. Check Insurance, Accreditation, Certification, and References
The best snow plow companies will be fully licensed and insured, and affiliated with reputable associations like the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) or the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA). Check the Better Business Bureau for an A+ rating, and choose a company with outstanding certifications, such as the ISO 9001 certification. References from previous customers are a great way to gauge a snow professional’s performance as well. Previous customers can fill you in on quality of work, response time, communication and dependability.
2. Know Their Policies, Plans, and Procedures
You should fully understand a snow removal company’s policies, plans, and procedures for a variety of different situations that will affect your business. Walk through your property with your snow professional, and be sure to address each area that will require snow removal or ice control – ask exactly how the procedures will be completed and know the time frames involved. Ask about emergency response plans – a great snow removal company will have specific response plans in place for every potential snow emergency where snow piles up quickly and ice creates dangerous situations if not managed proactively.
3. Ask About Their Communication Methods, Timing, and Frequency
Excellent communication is essential when looking for the best snow removal company. It is important that the snow plow contractor can answer any questions you have regarding their services, and explain details in a professional and knowledgeable manner. Prompt attention to your concerns is imperative. A company that leaves you hanging for days when you have questions is likely unreliable. If they can’t even return a phone call to answer a question, how on earth can you trust them to show up during a storm?
The second aspect of communication is how they handle communication before, during and after a snow or ice event. Make sure you know when and how frequently they communicate with customers.
4. Learn Their Approach to Safety and Risk Management
Your snow removal professionals need to follow all current safety regulations and have the proper plans and equipment necessary to prevent potential snow and ice injuries. Snow and ice injuries can rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills and are a major cause of lawsuits, which adds up to a bad reputation for your business.
5. Understand All Services Included and The Final Cost
The first step to obtaining a reliable, accurate estimate is to assess all your needs. A good snow removal professional can help you decide which areas require work, and what services will be necessary to keep your property safe. Be sure to ask about the costs of any additional services such as deicing or zero tolerance ice control, and special circumstances such as incredibly deep snow or storms that last more than a day. Be leery of low estimates that seem too good to be true – they probably are. Unusually low estimates might indicate inadequate snow removal, a lack of experience or proper equipment, or a lack of proper insurance.
Proper snow removal is crucial for the safety of the customers and employees on your property. Ice and snow cause dangerous conditions that require the services of a professional. If your business is in the Grand Rapids or Lansing, Michigan areas, please contact us at Sneller Snow & Grounds to learn more about our ISO 9001 certified services.