Key takeaways
- Define the areas: lots, drive lanes, walks, entries, fire lanes.
- State the snow depth that triggers service and when the crew returns.
- Cover ice: salting, when, and how often.
- Ask for proof of insurance and read it.
This is a general checklist for property managers, HOAs and businesses. It is not legal advice, and we publish no prices.
The contract checklist
| Item | What to settle |
|---|---|
| Scope | Which lots, drives, walks, ramps and entries are included |
| Trigger | How much snow starts service, and what happens in a long storm |
| Ice | Salting or ice removal, when it is done, who decides |
| Snow storage and hauling | Where it is piled; when it is hauled away and by whom |
| Billing | Per visit, per season, or a flat rate; what is excluded |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance, and who is named |
| Damage | How damage to curbs, lights, landscape and trees is reported and handled |
| Contact | One number and name for the storm |
What trigger depth should a snow contract set?
Decide with the contractor how many inches of snow starts service and how the crew treats a storm that drops snow overnight versus during business hours. We make no response-time promises in a web guide; put the arrangement you agree on in the contract, with the crew's phone numbers. Our line is staffed seven days a week and our snow team is available around the clock in snow season.
Equipment and hauling
The equipment should match the site. Open lots use plows and pushers. Tight sites and loading docks may need a skid steer. Piles that block parking or sight lines need a front-end loader and haul-off. We run commercial-grade plows, pushers, front-end loaders and skid steers, and we can plow, shovel and haul the snow away.
How is commercial snow removal priced?
Common structures are per visit, per season and flat rate. We offer a custom flat rate to ongoing customers. We do not publish numbers; we quote after seeing the site. Compare bids on the same scope.
Insurance and liability
Ask for a certificate of insurance and check that it is current. Our guide on proof of insurance explains what to look for. Property owners remain responsible for sidewalk snow under city rules; see sidewalk snow rules.
Questions to ask any contractor
Ask who will be on your site and how you reach them during a storm. Ask what equipment will be used and what happens if it breaks. Ask how the contractor documents visits, for example with timestamps or photos. Ask what happens when a storm is too large for the agreed scope. Ask how damage is reported, and whether the contractor has worked on sites like yours. Ask for the answers in writing, and keep a copy in the property file.
Terms that cause arguments
The arguments we hear about in the trade are usually about the same few things: whether a storm counts as one event or two, whether sidewalks were in the scope, who pays for repeat visits, and what happens when cars are parked in the way. Spell those out. Agree who moves the cars or marks the lot, and agree how you will confirm that work was done.
Trees and landscape on the site
Pile snow away from trees and shrubs where you can; snow from lots can carry salt and break branches. See protecting trees from plows and snow load. We are a tree company as well as a snow contractor, so we can look at both.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (station snowfall and precipitation) (data recorded October 1, 2026)
- Carson City Public Works: Street Maintenance (sidewalk snow, CCMC 11.12.070 and 11.12.130) (recorded October 1, 2026)
- City of Reno Maintenance and Operations: Snow and Ice Control (read October 17, 2026)