Snow Removal Requirements. When to Clear or let melt?

Question

I'm just curious what everyone is doing with snow removal.  Is there a certain depth of snowfall that you wait for to pay/DIY snow removal or do you do it regardless?  For example half an inch in Chicago like 20% of people clear their sidewalks and it just turns into slippery ice.  I could fall and sue them I guess, but it hasn't happened.  For my personal stuff is it just not worth the risk to wait for half an inch to melt/get icy and just spend the dough to have it done for every snowfall?

Jack Barkow · Answer

Yeah I feel the same.  Its not something I worry about or want to worry about getting done.  Honestly its not a ton of sidewalk at all depending on the property.  It just sucks because when you've got more than a couple and you see it snowing outside you're just thinking about how much its costing you in total vs per building.

Shane H. · Answer

No problem. Now to be clear I play with my charges to try to make it fair to the customer. Like if I'm sweeping ten feet of sidewalk and applying salt I don't actually charge the sidewalk fee just the ice melt. I had an account with 400 feet of sidewalk that had to be charged every time because it was time consuming.  If you're hiring a professional thwy should be paying attention to the weather. If it's 34 degrees going up to 45 and there's a dusting I let them go. If it's 25 dropping to 0 it's got to be cleared so it doesn't turn to ice. An honest and professional company should automatically make those determinations. You can make sure your contract gives you the say. Like some customers are on demand for salt. The issue there is the price. Customers who let me make the determination are paying me to run the spreader on a lot I've just plowed or a sidewalk I've just shoveled. I'm on scene. They're paying for material and a little bit if time. If they do on demand and call me out after I'm done and gone I have to charge them for travelling there. Better to have a guy you can trust than one on a leash! Haha

Jack Barkow · Answer

@Shane H.. Thanks that's what I was looking for.  I was curious if clearing sidewalks with less than 2" is excessive or pretty standard and that covers that.

Shane H. · Answer

Snow removal guy here. Most contracts say trigger depth 2" for plowing. My contracts technically don't have a different amount for sidewalks, but I drop any client who won't let me clear them with less that that. Sidewalks are huge liabilities. They need to be cleared anytime there's anything. I've swept them with a broom. Blown it away with a leaf blower. From a liability stand point most states have laws that define either a "reasonable amount of time," or 24 hours to clear dangerous conditions. I suppose you could just up your insurance... kidding...

John Warren · Answer

@John Barkow I am in the near western suburbs, and I have my landscaper clear the snow any time we hit 2 inches. As @Henry Lazerow mentioned, I also have resident managers at my larger buildings that do the snow removal for me. This helps a lot as I know they have shoveled and salted right away when the snow starts. For smaller multifamily properties, I just have my landscaper do it.

Allan C. · Answer

@John Barkow I use Lawn Love to clear snow on my properties.  I have 70% satisfaction with them as some of their providers are unreliable, however Lawn Love has good customer services and aspire to keep customers happy.  Their services are also web based, so you can manage everything from your phone if desired.

Henry Lazerow · Answer

I used to shovel snow when I rented and the landlord just gave me a little off in winter. Most tenants that are college age are more then happy to be responsible for snow if it saves them money.

Agree the city doesn't really fine unless someone complains (neighbors will) or its egregious.

Jack Barkow · Answer

These are all multis and tenants aren't going to be the ones doing it.  I'm not worried about city laws.  @TIm Harstead If the city really fined they would be able to fine majority of people in bucktown.

I'm mostly just curious what everyone else does.  Do y'all have a rule of thumb or just salt/shovel if there's any snowfall that won't melt by the afternoon?

Henry Lazerow · Answer

Get a tenant to do it. That's the easiest way. Driving in the snow to shovel snow at your rental is a pain.

Meghan McCallum · Answer

I believe its 2 inches, but you should find a better reference than me. I'd just salt to cover your A**.