I just do it when it hit 3" or needs it,sometimes it needs plowing at 1",if its going to get cold,it will all ice up.I would not take that account without the salting job too.There is 1/2 the profit,and it allows you control over lot conditions,with someone else or worse yet,no one salting you may pull in to plow,and slide right into something.Id be concerned with liability also from slip and falls.have it all in your contract,if they wont abide by it,let it go,there are places that will.

 

Many options here, I would push the salt or other deicer available, lots of problems with a business that does not want a safe lot. Also as far as the trigger, you should get an idea of what they will put up with, if you know you can do it in 2 hours with cars, I would probably have pushed it at 8 or 9am knowing I would have 1 to 2 full hours without cars in the way, and go back for clean up depending on the storm, that way it's clear when they open and if you have to go back for clean up later. I would rather push 1" around cars than 3", but that's just me.

 

The way I always thought of it is that if the snow is going to keep coming down for an extended period of time, and it's going to total *more* than the trigger depth, then they shouldn't mind if there's a coating that falls after they've been plowed, as long as that's *less* than the trigger depth. In other words, if they specify a 2" trigger they obviously are ok if there's less than 2" on the ground. Why would they complain if you plowed the first 5" of a 6" storm, and didn't catch that last inch? If the accumulation exactly equals the trigger depth, same thing--plow what you can and they should be ok with what's left. (I should add, that I've never had to test that theory, so I don't know if the *customers* actually see it that way or not.)

(Then I found PlowSite and started becoming aware of liability issues and stuff--now I get gray hairs thinking about the accounts that don't want to salt away that last 1/16th"...)

 

It happens all the time if with high traffic properties.I'd hit it once,just before they open,even if you haven't hit your trigger,and then I'd come back after they close to tidy it up.I'm sure it would be faster,and neater,to do it twice when it's empty,with less snow,than to have to do it with a full lot of cars coming and going.We usually go out for cleanup the next night anyways.Even more important if they don't take salt,as you won't have as much hardpack to deal with.The sun in the morning,and cars dragging in salt off the roads will help keep it clean,if it's just been plowed too.

 

If it's close to the set trigger I would plow it. I have never seen a manger outside with a tape measure measuring the amount of snow on the ground and hope I never do. It would be truly pathetic to see.

 

Originally posted by fordman
If it's close to the set trigger I would plow it. I have never seen a manger outside with a tape measure measuring the amount of snow on the ground and hope I never do. It would be truly pathetic to see.

Ditto

I won't take a commercial lot with a trigger depth and no salt.

to much liability to sign off.

 

double post

 

I would think the liability would be higher on a lot that you are supposed to salt.If someone slips and falls,then you,as the contractor,would have been expected to de-ice to prevent that from happening.

If they don't take salt,and have a high trigger,then you would not have been expected to clear a small amount of snow,or de-ice,so you should not be liable,as long as there way less accumulation than your trigger point.Salt waivers would also come into effect here.

That's the way I always looked at it.

I do charge a premium price for lots that don't take salt,as you have more hardpack,and leftover accumulation to deal with,but I wouldn't turn them down,unless they were really cheap.

 

Our clients generally leave it up to our discretion. We have a 2" trigger on most accounts. However if it is going to stay cold for a few days, and 1" or so falls, we'll probably plow it so it doesn't get packed. This works quite well, and our customers appreciate it. Worst case senario is they call and say they didn't want it done, and you tell them you are just trying to provide good service and say I won't charge. Your only out a bit of labour etc, and you know for next time.