Budgeting options for commercial snow removal

The vast majority of property managers think of only 1 or 2 ways to specify snow removal services. This article talks about the good and bad of some interesting methods!

The best methods to budget snow removal for your sites this winter:
There are innovative ways to budget your snow removal that most property managers are unaware of. They are (in order of wildest swings in meeting budget to most conservative):These methods will have the BIGGEST impact on whether you beat or blow your budget this year.
a) Snow billing by the hour. This is the riskiest plan in order of maintaining your budget. Good contractors billing by the hour are fine, but if you don't know them, it's also the easiest for a bad contractor to overbill you and your clients (tenants). Also something that many property managers fail to include in their strategy is to know if your snow contractor is using all or mostly subcontractors. Now you have TWO entities that could overbill. Unless the general is out there every night, it's nearly impossible to verify each subs hours. If they can't verify it, you'll probably pay extra. This isn't all bad though, if we have very light snowfall this winter, you can save considerably over other methods.

b) Snow billing by the PUSH. This is the newest method of determining pricing. Let's say you have a retail site and you have a 1" trigger. You need constant service to keep drive lanes open and ice free. Once the site gets to an inch, the contractor will start snow removal operations, even if snow is continuing to fall. When they're done, if there's another inch or two on the ground, they'll go through the entire process again.
You have one price per push, which is MUCH less than a per "event"
and gives you some control

c) Snow billing by THE EVENT. You're probably familiar with billing "Per Time". Usually this is broken out at 2-4 inches, then a higher price for 4-6 inches, etc...The plowing usually includes a breakout at 4" where the contractor will clear the drivelanes, then come back hours later and finish the entire job. Then you get charged once per snow event

d) Snow billing by THE INCH. This is another new method of budgeting for snow. You receive a bid for $200 per inch of snow. The snow can be measured on site over the season, or if you'd like numbers with no argument, go with the snow totals at the Chanhassen Weather Service. At the end of the season, if we've had 48 inches, then you would have been billed $9,600.

e) Seaasonal billing. When you absolutely need to be on budget, a seasonal bill consisting of 5 equal monthly payments will keep you there. What are the downsides? If we have a winter with light snow, youi'll end up paying more than you could've by taking a chance on any of the above methods.
This is the favorite method of townhome associations. I think it's because no board wants to get beat up by being way over budget. At least when the price is decided in September, the residents know what to expect.

Let's touch on subcontractors again. One of the real life problems with using subcontractors is that many times they sign up for a site with the "general contractor", but have 3-5 of their own sites that they have a personal stake in, and almost always pay better. So, are you going to get service when you expect it? Good question, but many property managers are now adding "no subcontractors" to the bidding process.
This is the preferred method of the largest snow removal operations. They can use up to 95% subcontractors, and may offer a lower price. Their success is determined by how well they can find and retain great subcontractors who can't sell their own work.

Check on references of course, and spend a little time getting to know your bidders in person. They'll be the ones you count on to keep your clients happy and your phones quiet for 5 months, and that's darn important.

If you are in need of a snow removal bid, call me at 763-213-2410, or email me at Steve@Landscape.Pro and I'll give you a no obligation property evaluation and snow response plan.Email steve at Steve@Landscape.Pro to get your free snow response plan.

Taylor Made for Townhome Associations

Townhome Association Lawn Maintenance

Whatever your goals are for your homeowner association, commercial building or multi-family property, Taylor Made delivers and exceeds the results you and your clients expect. Working together, you can rest assured that we’ll develop a plan that brings out the full potential of your natural site while keeping your budget in mind.. Hire the company you can trust, Taylor Made Landscape Management.

We take care of all of the details so you don’t have to. We start the process by listening to your goals. We develop a plan that enhances the beauty of your property. Our professional scheduling of comprehensive landscape services are performed on time, no matter what the weather is doing. We become your eyes and ears on the property. We’re vigilant about discovering potential issues before they become problems.

You will have an active partner when you decide to work with us. We’ll design and create a valuable, vibrant, living landscape.

As a partner, we’re not satisfied until you’re completely satisfied with every service. Your landscape will benefit from the expert care on a timely basis. Your property reflects your values. Clients, tenants and prospective owners base a large part of their opinion of the property before they walk inside. We’ll work with you to keep tenants and clients happy and to attract and retain potential prospects.

We’re confident that we can meet and exceed your landscape maintenance goals, regardless of the size of your association. We also know you expect a dependable, trustworthy company that continually provides solutions. Our creative staff will deliver cost effective solutions that will keep you, your board members and residents happy.

Preparing your townhome association for spring part I

YOUR LANDSCAPE – WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW COULD KILL MILLIONS PART I

That’s right. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for millions of living organisms. You’re the “Jack Bauer” of the show “24” protecting millions of innocent lives!Grass plants, ornamentals, trees, annual flowers and shrubs. Your decisions also affect insect and biotic populations. Most importantly, you’re in control of how your landscape affects you and your family personally. The best way to make the most of your living investment is knowledge and of course, action!

At the end of this article, I’ve included a link to www.Townhome.Pro, where I’ve added links for your lawn, landscape, trees and garden. This website is dedicated exclusively for MHA members at this time.

Let’s get started!
“Da Lawn”
We’ll start with the lawn. It’s very important to have a thick, healthy lawn. Why? My daughter plays soccer and I shudder everytime she gets knocked down. (I never cheer when she knocks someone else down.) When kids play on your lawn, or when elderly residents walk in it, a thick lawn protects their skin and joints. A thick lawn also prevents weeds from coming up, reducing the need for pesticides. So, what can we do in the spring to get there?
First, write down your thoughts about last years’ turf. What improvements would you like to have seen? Then “spring” into action. If you have a lawn contractor, discuss fertilization options with him/her. Are they applying 2-3 pounds of Nitrogen per year? Nitrogen has a direct relationship to the color of the lawn. If the lawn isn’t thick and green, ask them to do a soil test, or you can do one using the easy instuctions on the website. (Cost $15.00 plus postage) Do they use slow release or fast release fertilizer? Quick release fertilizers give the lawn a quick greenup and are cheaper, but they lose their color after 2-4 weeks. If you’re getting 3 applications per year, with normal release fert, you get 4 weeks of food and rapid growth followed by 4 weeks of partial starvation. Using slow release feeds gradually, and keeps the lawn growing at a more regular pace. Ask your contractor if he likes double cutting and bagging grass clippings, if he says yes, I owe you a $5.00 gift certificate to Caribou Coffee. When he says no, tell him that using slow release will cut down on rapid flush growth, and cut down the need for a lot of extra labor. Everybody wins!
There is bound to be some winter salt or plow damage too. These areas need to be seeded or sodded right away. I recommend bringing black dirt in if needed and if using seed, use blends, such as kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye for sunny areas, and fine fescue, perennial rye and bluegrass for shady areas. If seeding, expect weeds. Crabgrass control can’t be applied to these areas unless you use Siduron (Tupersan), but broadleaf controls can be used after the seeded area is mowed twice. Seed or Sod, water a couple of times per day for short periods of time.
This article may be reprinted as long as the author information below is included.
Steve Hoogenakker, Steve@Landscape.Pro
CAI Minnesota, MHA, CICMidwest, Steve Hoogenakker, Showcase Landscape, Taylor Made Landscape,