The best time to plan commercial snow and ice removal is before the first flakes fall. A signed plan means your lot, walks and entrances get cleared on schedule instead of when a crew finally frees up.
Our Greater Lansing, MI commercial landscaping team handles winter work for offices, retail centers, healthcare sites and multi-family communities. Here's what to settle with your provider before November.
Pick the Right Kind of Agreement
Most commercial snow services come in two shapes. Per-event service bills each storm, while a seasonal contract covers the whole winter for a set scope.
At Redwood Landscaping, we offer on-demand, seasonal and premium plans, each quoted to the property. A seasonal contract runs November through March, which is why fall is the right time to sign one.
Agree on Response Times
Ask how fast a crew arrives once snow starts to stick. Response time should be written into the agreement, not promised over the phone.
Higher coverage tiers usually come with faster response. Match the tier to your hours, because a medical office that opens early has different needs than a warehouse.
Map the Property Before the Snow Flies
Walk the site with your provider in the fall. Mark curbs, islands, drains, light poles and landscape beds so plow drivers can avoid them under a foot of snow.
Decide where piles go, too. Piles placed on the low side of a lot melt and refreeze across drive lanes, so pick spots that drain away from traffic.
Cover Sidewalks and Entrances
Parking lot plowing is only half the job. Customers and employees fall on walks, steps and doorways, so confirm who clears and treats them.
Our snow crews handle sidewalk and entrance clearing along with lot plowing. Equipment ranges from shovels for tight walkways to large payloaders for open lots.
Plan Your Salt and Ice Melt Application
Salt works best after snow is cleared, not as a substitute for clearing. Wisconsin Salt Wise advises removing snow before it turns to ice, since less salt is then needed and it works better.
Overspreading costs more than money. Salt damages pavement and landscaping, so ask how your provider decides how much to apply.
Watch for Refreeze and Black Ice
A lot that is clear at dusk can be slick by dawn. The National Weather Service warns that black ice is most common early in the morning, after melted snow refreezes overnight.
Ask whether your plan includes return visits for refreeze, not just the main storm. Early-morning checks matter most for businesses that open before sunrise.
Keep Winter Work and Landscaping Together
Plows and salt affect the beds, turf and hardscape you pay to keep sharp the rest of the year. One provider for both means the crew that plows in January knows what it will be fixing in April.
If you are planning spring upgrades, our commercial landscape design FAQ covers what goes into a plan. You can also see the full list of commercial landscaping services we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a business sign a commercial snow removal contract?
Sign in early fall, ideally by October, so the agreement is in place before the season starts. Redwood Landscaping's seasonal contract covers November through March.
Signing early also gives time for a site walk, pile planning and marking curbs and beds before the ground is covered. Waiting until the first storm can leave you choosing from whatever crews are still available.
Is a seasonal contract or per-event service better for a commercial property?
A seasonal contract usually suits properties that must stay open every day, while per-event service can fit sites with flexible hours. Redwood Landscaping offers on-demand, seasonal and premium plans, each priced by custom quote.
The seasonal plan adds unlimited service calls and priority response. Per-event billing means you pay storm by storm, so a heavy winter costs more.
What happens when snow piles get too big for the parking lot?
Large piles can be hauled off site so they stop eating parking spaces and melting across drive lanes. Redwood Landscaping provides snow hauling for large accumulations, using equipment up to large payloaders.
Hauling is most common after back-to-back storms or late in the season. Planning pile spots in the fall reduces how often it is needed.
Can deicing salt damage pavement and landscaping?
Yes, too much salt can wear down pavement and stress the plants and turf along lots and walks. That is a strong reason to clear snow first and treat only what needs it.
Wisconsin Salt Wise notes that oversalting is often a reaction to liability worries. A written snow plan and good records are a better way to manage that risk.
Why does ice come back after the lot has been plowed and salted?
Snow that melts during the day can refreeze overnight once temperatures drop below freezing. That thin, clear layer is black ice, and it is hard to see on dark pavement.
Salt also slows down in deep cold. Wisconsin Salt Wise says salt won't work once pavement drops below 15 degrees, so sand is used for traction instead.