TLDR:

• Snow removal contracts signed in December cost 60% more than those arranged in October

• Early winter planning ensures guaranteed service and priority response during storms

• Tony Schmidt's fall preparation system locks in competitive rates and reliable coverage

The Property Manager Who Paid $18,000 for What Should Have Cost $7,500

Last December, after the first major snowfall hit Dayton, a property manager in Huber Heights started calling snow removal companies. Most were already booked. The few available contractors quoted premium rates for mid-season contracts.

By the time they secured service, they were paying $18,000 for snow removal that would have cost $7,500 if contracted in October. Worse, they weren't guaranteed priority service, meaning their tenants faced delayed parking lot clearing during subsequent storms.

The property manager learned an expensive lesson: winter preparation can't wait until winter arrives.

This scenario repeats across Greater Dayton every year. Property managers who plan ahead pay reasonable rates and get reliable service. Those who wait pay premium prices for whatever service remains available.

Why December Snow Contracts Cost So Much More

Snow removal contractors operate on limited capacity. Once their equipment and crews are committed for the season, pricing changes dramatically:

Limited Availability: Established contractors book their routes months in advance. December availability is scarce and expensive.

Premium Pricing: Mid-season contracts command 40-80% higher rates because contractors can charge what the market will bear.

No Service Guarantees: Late contracts often lack response time guarantees, meaning your property may wait hours for service during storms.

Equipment Limitations: Contractors may use backup equipment or subcontractors for late-season contracts, potentially reducing service quality.

No Priority Status: Properties contracted early get priority during major storms. December contracts go to the back of the service queue.

The Real Cost of Poor Winter Planning

Waiting until snow falls creates problems beyond just higher contract costs:

Business Disruption: Tenants can't access their businesses when parking lots aren't cleared promptly, leading to lost revenue and complaints.

Liability Exposure: Delayed snow removal increases slip-and-fall risks, potentially leading to insurance claims and legal issues.

Emergency Pricing: Storm-day service calls cost 2-3x normal rates, with no guarantee of availability.

Tenant Relations: Poor snow removal damages tenant satisfaction and can affect lease renewals.

Competitive Disadvantage: Well-maintained properties attract better tenants willing to pay premium rents.

How Smart Property Managers Plan Winter Service

Successful property managers treat winter preparation like any other seasonal maintenance requirement - planned, budgeted, and contracted well in advance.

At Flyers Edge Property Solutions, Tony Schmidt starts winter planning in August, securing competitive rates and guaranteed service for all clients:

Early Season Contracting (August-October)

• Competitive bidding while contractors need to fill their routes

• Guaranteed response times written into contracts

• Priority service during major storms

• Equipment and crew assignments confirmed in advance

Comprehensive Winter Planning

• Site-specific snow removal plans for each property

• Salt/ice melt pre-positioning for immediate storm response

• Backup service arrangements for extreme weather events

• Clear communication protocols with tenants

Seasonal Preparation

• Fall equipment inspections and maintenance

• Pre-storm site preparation and material staging

• Weather monitoring and proactive service deployment

• Post-storm follow-up and damage assessment

What October Snow Planning Includes

When we arrange winter service in the fall, property managers get comprehensive protection:

Guaranteed Response Times: Contracts specify maximum response times for different storm severities.

Priority Service: Your properties get cleared before non-contracted emergency calls.

Equipment Commitment: Specific trucks and crews assigned to your properties, not whatever's available.

Material Pre-Positioning: Salt and ice melt staged at your properties for immediate application.

24/7 Monitoring: Weather tracking ensures crews deploy before accumulation becomes problematic.

Quality Standards: Specific clearing requirements and post-storm cleanup protocols.

Real Numbers from Early vs. Late Planning

Here's what we've seen across Greater Dayton properties:

October Contracts (Average per occurrence for 10,000 sq ft lot):

• Plowing: $180-220

• Salt application: $85-110

• Sidewalk clearing: $45-65

• Total per storm: $310-395

December Emergency Contracts:

• Plowing: $350-450

• Salt application: $150-200

• Sidewalk clearing: $90-120

• Total per storm: $590-770

For a typical winter with 8-12 snow events, early planning saves $2,800-4,500 per property.

How Our Bundle & Save Program Handles Winter Service

Our comprehensive approach ensures winter protection at competitive rates:

August Planning: We begin winter service arrangements before other contractors are even thinking about snow season.

Competitive Bidding: Early timing allows us to secure the best rates from established, reliable contractors.

Service Integration: Winter service coordinates with our other maintenance activities for seamless property management.

Quality Assurance: Tony personally monitors storm response and service quality throughout the season.

Tenant Communication: We provide advance notice of storm preparations and service timing to minimize tenant disruption.

What Happens When You Wait

December snow removal shopping typically results in:

• Limited contractor availability - most quality providers are fully booked

• Premium pricing - 50-80% higher than early-season rates

• No service guarantees - response times and quality standards aren't guaranteed

• Subcontractor service - your property may be serviced by unknown third parties

• Low priority - emergency calls get attention after contracted properties

The October Advantage

Property managers who plan winter service in October benefit from:

• Contractor availability - best providers actively seeking quality clients

• Competitive pricing - contractors offer attractive rates to fill their routes early

• Service guarantees - response times and quality standards locked in contracts

• Priority status - contracted properties get cleared first during storms

• Equipment commitment - specific trucks and crews assigned to your properties

Planning Your Winter Service Strategy

Effective winter service requires more than just finding someone to plow snow:

Site Assessment: Each property needs customized snow removal plans based on layout, traffic patterns, and tenant needs.

Service Specifications: Clear standards for response times, clearing levels, and post-storm cleanup.

Material Management: Salt and ice melt pre-positioning for immediate storm response.

Communication Protocols: Systems for notifying tenants about storm preparations and service timing.

Quality Control: Regular monitoring and feedback systems to ensure service meets expectations.

Ready to Lock in Winter Protection?

Don't wait until the first snowfall to arrange winter service. October planning saves money and ensures reliable protection when storms hit.

Tony Schmidt's comprehensive winter preparation program secures competitive rates and guaranteed service for Greater Dayton properties. Our clients save an average of 45% compared to mid-season contracts while getting priority storm response.

Call Flyers Edge Property Solutions at (937) 565-9613 to discuss early winter service planning. Let us show you how proactive preparation protects your properties and your budget.