By Josh Nichols, Regional Snow Manager
Snow may be months away, but the best time to plan for winter weather is right now—in the middle of summer. At Ruppert, we believe that early preparation is the key to delivering safe, responsive, and cost-effective snow and ice management services.
Finalizing your snow contract during the summer helps you secure priority scheduling, access the right equipment and resources, and lock in current pricing—avoiding last-minute premiums and rushed decisions. Waiting until fall often means limited availability, higher costs, and settling for a provider who may not be the right fit. Acting early ensures better service, a guaranteed spot, and peace of mind before winter weather hits.
What Type of Snow Agreement Is Right for Your Property?
When it comes to managing your property in the winter, not all snow agreements are created equal. In our East Coast service area, we typically see three main types of snow service contracts—each with its own benefits and considerations. Understanding which agreement works best for your property can help you control costs, minimize risk, and streamline operations during the snow season.
- Time & Materials – This is the most common type of agreement. Customers pay only for the services performed, which means you’re billed based on the actual time spent and materials used during snow and ice events. While it offers flexibility, this agreement can lead to significant cost fluctuations from season to season. (g. A mild winter might cost $5,000, while a heavy one could exceed $20,000.)
- Accumulation (Per Inch) – Gaining popularity, this agreement structure provides a set rate for snow clearing based on the total inches of snowfall per event. Chemical applications are billed per application. This model makes post-event billing more predictable. (g. If your property was pretreated, post-treated, and received 5 inches of snow, your final cost is based on the contracted per-inch clearing rate and per-application chemical rates.)
- Seasonal – While less common, especially further south, this agreement is growing in demand. It allows customers to lock in a predictable price for the entire snow season, simplifying budgeting and reducing administrative overhead. It also eliminates major cost swings from year to year. These agreements usually require a 3- to 5-year commitment to balance snowfall variability and include two key elements:
- CAP: A maximum snowfall amount covered under the contract (e.g., based on a 10-year average). If snowfall exceeds this, additional charges may apply.
- FLOOR: A minimum snowfall threshold. If not reached, the customer may receive a rebate as a percentage of the total agreement.
Let’s Get Ahead Together
Whether you’re managing a single property or an entire portfolio, summer is the ideal time to prepare for winter. Choosing the right snow agreement and securing it early helps ensure predictable costs, safer sites, and stronger, more reliable service when winter weather hits. Reach out to your Ruppert representative to explore the right snow agreement for your needs and budget.