Considering the Cost of Snow Removal in Chicago
As the winter season blankets the Windy City in a glistening layer of snow, homeowners and businesses alike find themselves faced with the perennial challenge of snow removal. Chicago, known for its brutal winters, demands efficient and reliable snow removal services to keep life moving smoothly. In this quick guide, we delve into the average cost of snow removal in Chicago, drawing insights from referral services and offering valuable tips on finding the best snow removal service for your needs.
The Average Cost of Snow Removal
The cost of snow removal in Chicago can vary based on several factors, including the size of the area to be cleared, the amount of snowfall, and the type of service required. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per visit for residential snow removal. Commercial properties, with larger areas and increased complexity, may incur higher costs, ranging from $100 to $300 per visit.
Referral Services: A Valuable Resource
To gain a clearer understanding of the average cost and to find reliable snow removal services, turning to referral services is a prudent choice. Platforms like Angie’s List, Yelp, and Thumbtack compile user reviews and ratings, providing a wealth of information on the experiences of others with local snow removal services. By tapping into these platforms, you can make informed decisions and select a service that aligns with your budget and expectations.
Angi (formerly Angie’s List), for instance, allows users to search for snow removal services in Chicago, read reviews, and compare pricing. Users often share details about the efficiency of the service, the professionalism of the crew, and whether the costs align with the quoted estimates. These insights can be invaluable when narrowing down your options.
Yelp is another powerful tool for gauging the performance of snow removal services. Users often share detailed accounts of their experiences, highlighting any issues faced during the winter season. This firsthand information allows potential customers to assess the reliability and effectiveness of a particular service.
Thumbtack is known for providing quotes from multiple contractors based on the specific requirements provided by users. This can be particularly useful for getting a ballpark figure of the average cost of snow removal in Chicago. Moreover, users can view the profiles of contractors, read reviews, and make more informed decisions.
Tips for Finding the Best Commercial Snow Removal Service
Finding the right snow removal company for your business can be hard. There are many out there for the residential customer with a driveway and sidewalk to clear. But when you have a parking lot of any size the costs go up and the available contractors start to disappear. Let’s face it, you need more than a plow and a shovel to be a good fit for most businesses.
Below are some important tips to help you find the right contractor to take care of your business. Keep a sheet with your comparisons so that you can more easily consider them. Our guide breaks this down by cost, reviews, insurance, equipment, contracts offered, emergency services, and recommendations.
Research and Compare Prices and Contract Terms
Most people begin their search by researching multiple snow removal services in Chicago. You can find a list of them with a simple online search of “snow removal near me”. Make sure to not limit your search to a small area, as you might miss great contractors that are based a few miles away. For instance, our Brancato headquarters is in Des Plains, IL, but we have teams throughout the Chicagoland area.
Compare their prices, keeping in mind the specific needs of your property. Be wary of extremely low-cost services, as they may compromise on quality or dependability. Also, carefully review the terms of service contracts. Some services offer seasonal contracts, while others charge per visit. Understanding the terms and conditions will help you avoid any surprises in billing.
Check Reviews and Ratings
Utilize online platforms like Angie’s List, Yelp, and Thumbtack to read reviews and ratings from other customers. Look for consistent positive feedback regarding promptness, reliability, and quality of service. Google and other search engines also provide reviews and ratings.
The consistency of the reviews is key to understanding the quality of their work. Repeated issues in several reviews flag a potential quality issue. Additionally, checking out the user’s other reviews will help you understand if you can rely on their perspective.
Snow Removal Accreditation, Licensing, and Insurance
Snow removal can be difficult and sometimes accidents happen. You are trying to remove something that presents a hazard to anyone who comes on your property, after all. That is why it is important to ensure that the snow removal service you choose is adequately insured and licensed. This protects you from potential liabilities in case of accidents or damage to your property during snow removal.
This isn’t just to protect your property or the snow removal company. This will also protect your neighbors, employees, and passersby. Be intentional about checking licensing and insurance.
A fast way to determine if a business is covered and up-to-date with its licensing and insurance is if they are a member of an accreditation association. Such associations require their members to certify their coverage and maintain excellence in customer service. Brancato is accredited by the leading snow contractor organization: SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association).
Inquire About Equipment and Techniques
A professional snow removal service should have the necessary equipment and employ effective techniques for efficient snow removal. Inquire about the type of equipment they use and the methods they employ to clear snow.
Some of the most important questions to ask are how they remove the snow and how they safeguard your property while doing it. Do they bring in heavy trucks to haul it away, or do they have a snow melter to take care of it? Will they use a smaller plow to clear a smaller, complicated parking area? Do they have a large enough plow to handle your massive parking lot? Do they clear sidewalks as well as parking areas?
It is important to find out if they plan out and mark the areas that they will be clearing. How many team members are serving your area? Are there enough to cover you if someone gets sick or injured? How far away do they keep their equipment from your business?
Ask About Emergency Services
Chicago’s winters can be unpredictable, with sudden heavy snowfall. Some areas can get hit with far more snow than others and the differences can be extreme. Additionally, snow can hit in the middle of a busy day or during an important business event. Inquire whether the snow removal service offers emergency services for unanticipated weather events.
Seek Recommendations for Snow Removal Services
One of the most important aspects of this search is to get feedback from people you know or who know the company you are considering. Ask friends, neighbors, or local community groups for recommendations. Find out if other business people in the area use their service. If so, how happy are they with the service? If not, why did they not choose that company?
Personal referrals can provide valuable insights and help you choose a trustworthy and reliable snow removal service. Don’t be afraid to ask the business themselves for references. Keep in mind that the reference is likely going to be friendly to the company. Nonetheless, they may be very helpful in understanding what you can expect from them.
Choose Brancato for Quality and Dependability
Navigating the winter chill in Chicago involves strategic planning for snow removal services. By understanding the average costs, leveraging referral services, and following our tips for finding the best service, you can ensure a seamless and stress-free winter experience. This is true for business owners in particular. Investing in a reliable snow removal service is key to maintaining the functionality and safety of your property during the snowy months in the Windy City.
We provided the guide above with confidence that you will find our service the best in Chicagoland! Our reliable teams have decades of experience! We have abundant equipment that we keep in great shape. We are licensed and insured. And we have a fantastic group of customers that would vouch for our work ethic! You won’t find a better snow removal company anywhere!
Call or come by today! You can speak with our knowledgeable staff to find out what we can do for you. We will provide a free, no-obligation consultation and quote. Brancato has the experience and equipment to get the job done. We have been in business in the Chicago area for three decades, and snow removal is our only business.
Choose Brancato TODAY!
