When boards compare snow bids, the biggest difference is often not the price. It is the pricing model. Here is how the three common options work.
Seasonal (fixed) contracts
You pay a set amount for the season, often in monthly installments. Budgeting is easy, but in a light winter you may pay for service you did not need. Most seasonal contracts include a cap on events or inches.
Per-push / per-event pricing
You are billed each time crews plow or salt. In a light winter you save, but a heavy winter can blow up the budget. Make sure the contract clearly defines what counts as a “push” or an “event.”
Per-inch pricing
Pricing is based on how much snow actually fell, in tiers such as 1-3″, 3-6″ and 6-12″. It is the most transparent model, as long as the snow totals come from a neutral source. Rockport uses certified totals from WeatherWorks, a third-party weather service, so there is never a dispute about how much fell.
Questions to ask any snow contractor
- What is the trigger depth for plowing and for salting?
- Are sidewalks priced separately?
- How is snowfall measured, and by whom?
- What documentation comes with each invoice?
- How do you handle refreezes and drifting?
Request an estimate or call 215-983-4129.
