Snow Removal Contract: Expert Tips and Templates
From working in below-freezing temperatures and driving on icy roadways, offering snow removal services inherently comes with risk. But failing to provide your customers with a detailed snow removal contract is one risk you don’t have to take this winter.
A snow plowing contract can protect your business from customer disputes and miscommunications.
The weather may not be reliable, but a good contract shows that your business is.
Read on to learn more about contracts, why you need one, and how to write a snow plowing contract before the first snowstorm.
What is a snow removal contract?
A snow removal contract is a legally binding agreement between snow removal contractors and the customer. It provides the terms of your relationship and protects your business from potential disputes or litigation.
A snow removal contract sets the expectations for your customers. It details your service offerings, the payment terms, and when your customers can expect the service to be completed.
Having your customers sign off on your snow removal contract before your first service, can help:
- Prevent disagreements or disputes about your provided services
- Minimize the financial risks of customers paying late, or refusing to pay at all
- Reduce your liability for property damage
What should you include on your snow removal contract?
Once you’ve determined how much to charge for snow removal services, you’re ready to create your snow removal contract.
Include the following in your residential and commercial snow removal contracts:
1. Business information
Include your snow removal business information on the contract so your client knows how to get in touch. Your business details should include:
- Company name
- Contact person
- Email address
- Telephone number
2. Property address
Provide the complete address for the service location, including:
- Street number
- Street name
- City/Town
- State
- Zip code
3. Customer information
Include any information you may need to get in touch with your customer, such as:
- Customer name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Mailing address
For commercial properties, you’ll also want to include:
- Company name
- Business address
- Contact person name, email, and phone number
4. Terms of agreement
Clarify the duration of the snow removal agreement by including the start and end date of your services.
5. Payment schedule
Outline how much the snow removal services will cost, when payment is expected, and how payment can be made.
6. Description of the property
Include a description of the property areas you’ll be servicing, like parking lots or driveways, entrance ways, sidewalks, etc. Also note any areas you will not be servicing, such as areas that are too dangerous to access.
7. Scope of services
List in detail the services that are included in your snow removal contract cost. This may include:
- Snow blowing
- Snow plowing
- Shoveling
- Snow removal (removing snow from the property)
- Ice removal
- Salting
- Sanding
8. Terms and conditions
Clarify any additional details about your service guarantees, insurance policy, payments, and termination policy.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
- When can snow removal services be expected?
- Are there any additional charges for snow removal from a large property or after a heavy snowfall?
- Are there any service blackout dates? (Christmas day or New Year’s day)
- What type of business insurance coverage do you have? (Include all required insurance such as workers compensation, liability insurance, snow removal equipment insurance, etc.)
- What are the penalties or fines for late payments?
- How much notice is required to terminate the agreement?
- Are there any penalties or fines when terminating the agreement?
You’ll also want to leave a space at the end for both you and your customer to sign off on the contract.
Snow removal contract templates
It’s important to remember that your snow removal contract is legally binding.
Before you send your contract to your customers, always get a second opinion. Consult your attorneys, or a legal advisor to make sure your agreement is in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Here are a few snow removal contract templates you can use for your customers this winter.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with your legal or financial advisor to make the right choice for your business.
1. Seasonal snow removal contract template
Contractors should include this seasonal contract template when sending quotes to any residential or commercial snow removal customers.
2. Residential snow plow contract template
Include this snow plow contract template when sending quotes to your residential customers.
3. Commercial parking lot snow removal contract template
Include this template when sending quotes to a property manager for commercial properties.
Difference between commercial and residential snow removal contracts
The main difference between commercial and residential snow removal contracts are the types of clients they serve and the duration of the contract.
Commercial snow removal contracts are typically annual or multi-annual contracts. This type of contract requires service providers to respond quickly after a snow event to plow or remove snow from parking lots, as well as clear and salt walkways.
Commercial snow removal helps to avoid slips or falls, and costly lawsuits. Most commercial snow removal contracts require businesses to submit a bid for the job.
Some examples of commercial snow removal contracts are:
- Hotels or resorts
- Retail stores
- Fitness clubs
- Schools or educational institutions
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Government owned buildings
Residential snow removal contracts, on the other hand, are typically seasonal or monthly contracts. For residential snow removal, you’ll be working for homeowners to clear their driveways and walkways of snow.
A few examples of residential contracts include:
- Houses
- HOA communities
How to send snow removal contracts
Jobber’s CRM makes it easy to track and store your customer information and snow removal contracts.
Use your customer’s stored property details to edit one of the above downloadable Word Document templates. Then save the document as a PDF file.
When you’re ready to fire off a quote from Jobber, attach the PDF file of your snow plow contract and hit send.
How to get snow plow contracts
With your contract in place, you’re ready to build your snow removal customer base.
Here are three tips to get you started:
1. Distribute snow removal flyers
Delivering flyers within local communities is a great way to attract new residential snow plowing customers.
Drop flyers off door to door, or post tearaway flyers on community bulletin boards in grocery stores or libraries. Just make sure to ask permission first!
Make sure your snow removal flyers include:
- Your business name and logo
- A description of your service offerings
- Detailed contact information including email, phone number, and website URL
2. Ask for referrals
Turn happy customers into qualified leads with a customer referral program.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Identify your most loyal customers
- Ask for referrals over the phone or by email
- Make referring easy for your customers
- Thank customers for their referrals
READ MORE: How to ask for referrals [scripts and examples]
3. Post snow plow ads online
If you’re looking to reach a local audience, Google Local Service Ads is a great place to start. Your snow removal ads will appear on Google’s search results for local residents searching the web your services.
Set your snow plow business up for success this winter season. Use our free snow removal contract templates to set your customer’s expectations from day one.
Originally published in October 2021. Last updated on September 14, 2023.