Snow and ice management is one of the few property services where being unprepared has an immediate, visible cost — a blocked entrance, an icy walkway, a call from a tenant or resident before the property has even opened for the day. Before winter arrives, it’s worth confirming a few things are in place.
Confirm trigger conditions
A snow and ice plan should define what actually triggers a response — a certain accumulation, a forecast, or a specific temperature threshold for ice. Without a clear trigger, response timing becomes a guessing game for both the property and the contractor.
Identify priority areas
Not every surface on a property carries the same risk or urgency. At minimum, confirm priority order for:
- Main entrances and pedestrian walkways
- Fire routes and accessible parking
- Loading areas and service entrances
- General parking areas and drive aisles
- Parkade ramps and covered areas
Match equipment to the property
A small walkway and a large surface lot need different equipment. Confirm the contractor servicing your property has equipment sized appropriately — this affects both response speed and the quality of the clear.
Plan for ice, not just snow
Snow clearing and ice management are related but different problems. Confirm whether your plan includes proactive salting ahead of a forecast freeze, not just reactive treatment after snow has already fallen and been cleared.
Confirm how service visits will be documented
Ask how — and whether — visits will be recorded. At minimum, you want to know a property was serviced and roughly when. This matters for your own records and for any liability questions that come up later in the season.
Know who to call for an on-demand event
Even properties with seasonal contracts should know what happens if conditions exceed what was planned for. Confirm there’s a clear escalation path for an unusually large event.
HUB ZERO, HUB Centro’s snow and ice management division, builds seasonal and on-demand snow and ice plans around these questions for properties across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. See our snow and ice management service for what’s included, or request service to talk through a plan for your property.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead of winter should a snow removal plan be in place?
Before the first significant snowfall of the season. Waiting until conditions arrive limits your options and leaves the property exposed in the meantime.
Does a checklist replace a written contract?
No. A checklist helps you confirm the right questions are being asked; the response terms, priority areas and trigger conditions for your property should be documented in your service agreement.