--- title: Commercial Snow Removal: What a Contract Should Cover url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/commercial-snow-removal-contract/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [The Field Guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/) - Commercial snow removal: what a contract should cover # Commercial snow removal: what a contract should cover A commercial snow removal contract should say what areas are covered, how much snow triggers service, how ice is handled, where snow goes, who carries liability and how billing works. Write it down before the first storm, since vague terms cause most disputes. 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](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-service-proof-of-insurance/) explains what to look for. Property owners remain responsible for sidewalk snow under city rules; see [sidewalk snow rules](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/sidewalk-snow-rules-carson-city-reno/). ## 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](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/protecting-trees-from-plows-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)](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) (data recorded October 1, 2026) - [Carson City Public Works: Street Maintenance (sidewalk snow, CCMC 11.12.070 and 11.12.130)](https://www.carsoncity.gov/government/departments-g-z/public-works/divisions/street-maintenance) (recorded October 1, 2026) - [City of Reno Maintenance and Operations: Snow and Ice Control](https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/maintenance-operations/snow-ice-control.php) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Whose job is the sidewalk? Snow rules in Carson City and Reno](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/sidewalk-snow-rules-carson-city-reno/) - [Proof of insurance: what to ask a tree service for](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-service-proof-of-insurance/) - [Tree service for commercial properties](https://battleborntreeservice.com/who-we-serve/commercial-properties/) - [Tree service for HOAs and property managers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/who-we-serve/hoas-and-property-managers/) - [Snow and ice removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/snow-removal/) - [Snow removal questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/snow-removal/) ## More from the blog Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno? In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify, [All posts](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week. ### What should a snow contract include? Scope, trigger depth, ice handling, snow storage and hauling, billing, insurance, damage reporting and a contact. ### Do you offer a flat rate? We offer a custom flat rate to ongoing customers. Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) for a free estimate. ### Do you work at night? Our snow team is available around the clock in snow season. ### Can you haul the snow away? Yes. We plow, shovel and haul.