Snow Blowers

The title of this post may seem a little odd, however we wanted to take a look at snow removal techniques from the perspective of the type of driveway surface that you are dealing with and what precautions should be taken before various snow removal techniques are used.

Snow Removal Techniques – Types of Driveway Surfaces

The driveway surface will make a big difference in terms of the safety and precautions that you might take when clearing snow. The common types of driveway surface include – gravel driveways, asphalt driveways, cement driveways and patio stone or interlock driveways. For the purposes of this discussion we will lump asphalt and cement together. We also lump patio and interlock together. We will also assume that all of these driveways have been installed properly.

Shoveling snow – from any of these driveways should not cause any problems what so ever, unless you are using an axe or some other sharp device to break up the ice on or around your driveway. Care must be taken that you do not accidentally scrape or chip any of the surfaces that we have included in this review. Obviously a gravel driveway will withstand almost anything from a shoveling perspective. Shoveling is also the most strenuous and should be completed carefully to avoid not overdoing it and causing a heart attack.

Snow scoop

A snow scoop is much the same as shoveling. Care should be taken not to remove the gravel from the roadway when you are shoveling of using a hand snow scoop. They are great for moving a lot of snow by hand.

Snow blowing – with a snow blower either a consumer model or a commercial model is usually no problem. However care should be given to the interlock style of driveways to ensure that the machine used does not scrape and mark the driveway. Many commercial companies will use Teflon coated blades and scrapers. They will avoid or lessen the chance of leaving marks on expensive patio stone driveways.

Snow removal company – is one of the easiest and although the most expensive way to remove snow. It is effective for many people. When you are negotiating your contract make sure that the type of driveway is specified. Specify if any precautions are to be taken, that they are noted in the contract. Snow removal companies that use blades to remove snow scrape the surface. They can sometimes leave marks much to the annoyance of the owners of the homes they are working for.

Depend on neighbors – to clear your snow for you. This is a great way to have your snow cleared. You may pay them something or give them a gift depending on how often they clear the snow for you.

Hire neighbors 

Make the arrangement more formal. There should be a written agreement or even a contract which stipulates when they will clear the snow. Whether they will do the steps or not and how much you will pay them to clear the snow for you. An agreement of some kind makes sure or reduces the chance of their being any misunderstanding. This is in regard to snow removal or the techniques they will use to remove the snow.

Regardless of which approach you take to clear snow from your driveway, consumers should always have a contract of sorts. It should spell out how often the snow will be cleared. Whether the steps are included or not and what tools will be used to clear snow. Even if you hire a neighbor to clear the snow, writing down what your expectations are and what they agree to is important. It will ensure that you both have the same understanding about snow removal.

Even if you are not paying for the service and they are doing it as a favor, you may want to understand when the snow will be removed. If it does not meet your needs then you may have to make other arrangements.

My snow blower broke down recently and I decided that I only had a couple of options: repair it myself, have someone else fix it,  buy a new snowblower, buy a used snowblower or arrange for snow removal companies to clear my driveway when it snows.

Snow removal companies cost more, over the long run. They can cost as much as $350 a year for my size of driveway. After five years of this service, this would add up to over $1700 plus tax. A ten horsepower snowblower with a 28 inch clearing width costs around $1500 plus tax not on sale. The break-even is less than 5 years the way I look at it and sure I have to get out there and clear the snow myself, but I really do a better job and would prefer to do it myself. On top of that, I also get a little exercise.

Time to replace or buy a new used machine.

I opted to purchase a snowblower that was used. The guy selling it told me that it worked fine. He was looking for one that was even more powerful. He delivered the snowblower for free and I paid him $280. Now it would not work without some adjustments which he apparently did not know how to make. The belt needed to be tightened so that the blower will actually blow snow much further than it does.

I also had to reconnect the power leads for the light and change the oil in the engine which was no problem at all for me. The housing is showing a bit of age, but then they all do after a few years of use and exposure to salt and ice.

The belts were fine so I think that I got a really good deal for less than what it would cost to hire a snow removal company for one year. If it only works for one year, I am ahead of the game in terms of pure financial terms.

Hiring a snow removal company is not in the cards for me, however, for many people who are not prepared to clear their own snow from their driveways, a snow removal company is really the way to proceed.

What is the cost

Like I said the cost for my driveway is around $350 a year. They will only clear my driveway if there is more than one inch of snow. I am stuck clearing snow in any case these days. Single car driveways will be less and longer double-wide driveways will cost even more.

I also still need to get out outside and clear the snow away from my steps and front door. While I could also have this completed by the snow removal company, there would be an additional fee for this work as well. I would much rather do the entire job myself and know that it is done right at a lower cost.

My neighbor and I take turns blowing out each other’s driveway. This is another big advantage of having a snowblower to clear your own snow.

Maneuvering a Large Snow Blower

The trick is to allow the snow blower to do the work for you. Do not try to manhandle the snowblower. Another neighbor of mine bought one and then returned it because he found it too much work to move the machine around. He was trying to steer and direct the machine by pushing it instead of allowing the machine to do the work for him. He found it just too much effort to use it and returned it after a few weeks.

I never did hear whether he got all of his money back or not. It was a craftsman snowblower which is a popular snow blowing machine and should have just worked fine if he had known how to use it.

He was much better off hiring a snow removal company to clear the snow for him!

Hiring snow plow contractors is pretty easy, the hard part is making sure they deliver the services you need and are looking for. The price will vary based on the size and length of your driveway. Also whether you need the sidewalk cleaned or the steps up to your home cleared of snow. The basic price will only include removing the snow from the driveway. The snow-clearing work will be completed based on their schedule.

Your time to negotiate and set the price for the services they will deliver is before you sign the contract. Definitely, before you pay your fee. After you sign the contract, the price goes up for any additional services. As a result, make sure that you have everything clearly understood before you sign. Also that it is included in the contract you are signing.

For most people, this is making sure the snow is cleared from their driveway so they can get their car out of the driveway in the morning after a heavy snowfall. However, snow plow contractors are in the business to make money. The timing of when your driveway is actually cleared of snow will depend on a number of factors.

For example how much equipment do they have and what is the customer/equipment ratio? Do they have a typical route that they follow and where are you on that route? If you are at the end of the route, you may not have your driveway cleared when you need it to be cleared. Do they follow the snow plow route? In other words, if the snow plow does not go down your street until late in the day, does that mean your driveway is not cleared of snow until after the street has been cleared?

Review the Snow Plow Contractors Contract

Consumers really need to understand the service that is offered. Some will only clear the driveway after the snowplow goes down your street! Many companies will only do the driveway and not clear your steps. Some will only clear snow from your driveway when there is more than an inch of snow. If you are unsure about what services you are going to pay for, prepare a list of questions ahead of time and review each of them with the operator before you sign the contract. Once the contract is signed, you get whatever the fine print says in the contract.

Standard Service Offering for Snow Plow Contractors

The standard service may include clearing your driveway after the snowplow has passed and only the driveway. If you want more than this level of service some snow plow contractors will offer premium services at higher prices. It is up to the consumer to decide how much they want to pay. Also the level of service they want. They also need to make sure that it is covered in the contract.

In addition, you want to understand if the snow will be cleared off the sidewalk or the steps to your home. Make sure you understand where this snow will be placed. If it is thrown on the driveway and later cleared by the snow plow, this is probably fine. If the snow is thrown on top of your shrubs, they may get crushed from the snow on them. Make sure that these concerns are specified in the contract so that there is no confusion.

While some of these things may seem too detailed to be in a contract, unless they are written down, it will be virtually impossible for the operator to recall all of the special instructions regarding each property they are clearing snow for. Also if it is in the contract and you are dissatisfied with the service, you have the contract details to fall back on for discussion and enforcement.

When consumers do their homework and the contract is clear, there will be far less issues and disagreements because everyone will fully understand all of the expectations for the coming season of snow clearing.

There is a lot to learn about how to start a Snow Removal Business. Most people would consider the obvious things such as buying equipment, hiring operators, and getting customers. These are important but there is a lot more to it than that! Take your time and set up your business properly. The following could make the difference between a successful business and losing your shirt.

Set up and Register Company

Forming a company, obtaining tax numbers, hiring a lawyer and an accountant, finding mechanics, storage for your equipment, fuel contracts, billing software, bank accounts, insurance, setting budgets, managing cash flow, are just a few of the things that new business owners must think about.

A lot of people start with small beginnings. They might have a snowblower and offer to clear snow for a few neighbors and charge a reasonable price for doing the work. As long as the number of driveways are kept small and close by, it is very manageable.  Once you go beyond this and decide to advertise or purchase additional equipment and take on more customers it is starting to get serious.

All of a sudden it is important to consider the tax consequences of your business. You will need a formal business name and you will need to register the business as well, this means getting a business number and a tax number so that your accountant can file a tax report at the end of the year to claim refunds or pay taxes on the profits.

Keep Track of All Receipts

You will be spending money on equipment as well as fuel for your equipment. There may also be parts and repairs to be done and you may even hire part-time contractors to help you out. If they become employees, this triggers an entire new set of issues. You will need to pay them of course and also manage withholding taxes etc that then must be paid to the government on their behalf. At the end of the year, you will need to issue tax receipts for them so they can do their taxes and you have to file a tax report on behalf of your company showing all of the expenses, the revenue, and depreciation of your equipment. Time to hire an accountant!

Day to Day Operations

Then there is the day to day operations. Someone to take phone calls, manage contracts, schedule work and pay salaries and taxes, etc. This person will form the nucleus of your small operations center which will grow over time. There are two things that really irritate customers. The first and main one of course is that they want to have their driveways cleared of snow. Most people want this completed on time for them to get out and get to work.

The second thing that can irritate customers is poor customer relations management. This is the person who takes the phone calls and relays the information to the operators. This same person may prepare contracts and bill customers. If it does not get done right, then you have another irritated customer. This can include just answering the phone and listening to the customer.

All equipment breaks down from time to time. As an owner-operator most people will take very good care of their equipment. Which in turn will ensure that breakdowns are kept to a minimum? On the other hand, employees are just not that kind to equipment. Especially equipment that they do not own or have a stake in. Repairs will be needed and back up plans, back up equipment and backup parts will need to be considered. Operators will take these steps to ensure that your customers remain satisfied.

Snow Removal Business Plan

All of the above issues and more should be laid out in a business plan. The plan includes your budget, your cash flow, and loans if needed to buy equipment. Developing a business plan forces people to think through the many business issues and prepare for the startup, the growth and the sustainment of the business. The business plan should be set up and then updated at least once a year and more often if there are major changes in the business.

Any lender that you approach will want to see a solid business plan that you are committed to before they will lend any money for equipment loans or operating loans. It is your best tool as well to help you achieve profitability quickly and avoid losses.

These are just a few of the items that every small business owner has to consider when they start a snow removal business!

No one really wants to take on snow shoveling in the winter time, especially this man with a giant pile of snow like this one in front of him. Obviously he is not going to tackle this particular snow pile. But thousands of us do every year. We tackle snowdrifts and snow that is piled at the end of our driveways by the snowplow. And yes, thousands of us probably should not tackle something like this. Because many people die of heart attacks every year from shoveling snow.

At least purchase a snowblower to clear the snow if you do not want to hire a snow clearing company. At least with a snowblower you can clear snow quickly. If you allow it to do all of the work for you, then it is not a very difficult thing to do. Most important it is not too taxing on the body.

Snow Shoveling Workout

Snow shoveling can provide an excellent workout, but like any exercise, people must tackle things in moderation. If you are the typical couch potato and take on large snowdrift you are just asking for trouble. Take your time, stop every once and a while if you are breathing hard. Catch your breath and avoid overexerting yourself. If you feel any tightness in the chest or any chest pain, stop at once and call the doctor or get to a clinic. If it is severe you probably want to call an ambulance right away, because you are likely having a heart attack.

Strenuous Activity

Snow shoveling is one of the most strenuous types of exercise and anyone who does not exercise on a regular basis should really ease into it. If it takes two hours to clear the driveway instead of one because you are taking your time that is a heck of a lot better than having a heart attack. One friend of ours who does not exercise at all and gets out of breath going up the stairs shovels his driveway all of the time. He will do four or five shovelfuls and then stop for a rest. He is breathing hard and at least he is smart enough to know that he cannot overdo it or he is going to have problems in the heart area.

So far he does not have any chest pain and it appears he is simply very much out of shape. His family and his friends have tried to talk him into either exercising or hiring a snow removal company. He is stubborn and will not do either. We think it is just a matter of time when we find him at the end of his driveway slumped over. If you have any pain at all,  then get it checked out. It is just not worth it to be so difficult and hard on yourself.

Hire Someone to Clear the Snow for You

This site is supposed to be about snow blowers. But we would remiss if we did not cover snow shoveling and snow clearing companies. If we stop one person from having a heart attack by writing this post then we have done a good thing. Don’t be so cheap, buy a snowblower or hire someone to clear the snow for you! In fact, they are not even that expensive to buy or to hire someone. Next to shoveling snow, buying a snow blower is the most economic compared to hiring a company to clear the snow for you. But then you do not have to out in the cold weather either when someone does the job for you.

You may still have to clear the step. Also, light snow falling on your driveway. However this obviously much better than shoveling heavy wet snow that is very taxing on the body.

Which should you purchase? An electric snow blower (snow thrower) or a gas snow blower? There are advantages and disadvantages to both and good reasons to buy each one under specific conditions. For example, if you have a small driveway and do not get a lot of snow each year, an electric snowblower might be the right solution for you. On the other hand, if you have a long driveway with lots of snow, chances are you are going to need a lot more power to blow that snow further away and clear it quickly. We have listed a few of the pros and cons of electric snow blowers vs. gas-powered snow blowers.

Advantages for Electric Snow Blowers

Some of the pros for electric snow blowers include:

• No tune-ups required
• Gasoline is not required
• No oil required
• Much more quiet than gas snow blowers
• They are lightweight compared to gas
• Easy to store
• Relatively easy to use.
• No yanking on  a starter chord
• Easy to maneuver
• No tune ups

Some of the cons for electric snow blowers include:

• Suitable for small jobs
• The chord can get in the way
• The chord can be a hazard
• Much less powerful than gas
• Limited by the length of the chord
• Avoid letting the chord lie in slush, it may short out the breaker
• Not powerful enough to clear slush
• The chute can clog if the snow is wet

Comments About Electric & Gas Snow Blowers

It really comes down to what your personal situation is in terms of how much snow you have to clear, how long your driveway is and where can you store the machine during the fall, spring, and summer periods. If you get more than 6 inches of snow at one time, and you are using an electric snow blower you may have to clear some with a shovel. This amount of snow maybe just too much for an electric snowblower.

They are not as powerful as gas snow blowers and cannot deal with ice or crusty snow that sometimes occurs during mild winters when you get sudden freezing of the snow. Heavy wet snow can become pretty tough to clear unless you have a heavy machine that can cut through the drifts, the slush and the crusty snow conditions that occur from time to time. Wet snow becomes very heavy and unless you have a powerful snowblower, the machine will not be able to throw the wet snow very far.

Electric snow blowers can be a cheaper alternative than gas models, however, if they cannot do the job then you have just wasted your money. Most consumers want to have a powerful enough machine that will clear snow easily and make the job easy enough that you can clear the snow in ten minutes or less regardless of how deep those drifts are.

On cold days or in blowing snow, the last thing you want to do is be out in the snow trying to clear the driveway with a machine that does not work well and you have to struggle with it. A 10-minute job turns into a 30 minute job, your cold and wet, and your late for work. We think most consumers will want to invest in a strong powerful snowblower that will clear the snow quickly and avoid all this unnecessary frustration. Spend a little more money and purchase one that will do the job quickly and easily.

Are you unhappy with the snow clearing policy of your local city? In our city they only clear the snow on our street after they’ve cleared all of the snow off the major arteries and all of the bus routes where the buses go on their bus routes. This usually means that our quiet residential street is not cleared of snow well into the day.

In some cases it might mean that even though it has been snowing all day long, our street will not be cleared of snow still much later in the evening. Some people who are reading this post, might conclude so what. Get used to it since it is much more important to clear the main streets first and then get to the side streets to enable traffic to flow etc. But there is another issue that we wanted to make everyone aware of when you decide to hire a snow removal contractor to clear your driveway.

Snow Clearing Policies

Our snow removal contractor has a snow clearing policy. It basically says that they will not clear our driveway until the city snowplows have cleared our street. They want to only have to make a pass once. They prefer to follow the snow plow routes to ensure that they clear the driveway of snow and also the snow that the snow plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Otherwise, they would need to come back twice. They may get emergency calls because homeowners cannot get out of their driveways due to the large amount of snow that was left in the driveway. This saves them money and allows the contractor to charge less for their services. However it is a bit irritating to not have your driveway cleared until very late in the day. Don’t forget to ask this question before you hire a contractor.

Snow Removal Policy – Frustrating

This snow removal policy may be frustrating to some people who need to get their cars out in the morning to get to work. However it does make sense. Since if the main streets are not plowed there will be significant traffic jams for everyone. As long as you do not get more than six inches of snow in your driveway, most people can get their cars through that. If it is more, you may get stuck in your own driveway, unless it is plowed.  But consider that if your driveway is clear, but the street is not, you may just get stuck in the street if it has not been cleared.

Seniors are Good Customers

Many seniors are just as happy to hunker down and stay inside. They do not want to go out and brave the snow or take a chance of getting stuck somewhere either. People who are still working will not be so complacent. They may want to hire a contractor who provides better service. They may end up paying for the service they get.

This snow removal policy for snow removal contractors appears to make sense. I just wish the city would be quicker at removing snow on our street in the wintertime. Large cities have a problem since they do not get snow very often. With narrow streets and lots of cars parked on the street, it must be a nightmare to park. Even just to navigate on the streets and to be able to get around. I am happy to live in the suburbs. I do not mind the wait for both snow clearing of the street as well as my driveway.  Otherwise, I can just go and purchase a snow blower and do it myself which is another option.

We do not think about Snow Plowing Contractors in the summer time. It is too warm and life is good in the summer time, with barbeques, swimming, hiking or whatever it is you and your family like to do. But with winter just around the corner, it may be time to consider whether you want to clear the snow yourself this winter or hire a Snow Plowing Contractor. While it is the last thing you want to think about, you might just find a good deal on a snowblower at this time or sign up early for a snow clearing contract. Both situations have opportunities to negotiate and get the best deals.

Consider the cost of each, and then make your decision based on the cost comparison and your own personal requirements. First of all, let us just say it is cheaper to clear your own driveway with your own snowblower as long as you do not mind being out there in the cold weather. Keep your snowblower for longer than 3 years and you have paid for it in savings by not hiring a Snow Plowing Contractor.

Should you Purchase a Snow Blower or Not

Making a decision to hire a snow plow contractor is often about the quality of life and a preference to wake up in the morning knowing that your driveway is already clear and you do not need to go out and shovel snow or start-up the snowblower. If you can afford it this may be a small luxury that many people would like to give themselves instead of getting up in the morning to blow snow out of their driveway before they go to work.

Some consumers do not have a place to store a snowblower. Some are uncomfortable with handling a powerful machine like a snowblower. Other people cannot stand being out in the cold clearing snow. Many people just cannot be bothered with clearing snow and just would prefer to have a Snow Plowing Contractor clear their driveway for them.

Some Issues with Hiring a Snow Plowing Contractor

The contractor in our area has a policy that basically says that he follows the snow plow and only clears driveways after the snow plow has cleared the street. This means that on heavy snow days if the snow plow does not get to your street until 3 in the afternoon, your driveway is not going to be cleared until after that time. He takes this approach to avoid multiple trips to clear your driveway. The first trip would be to clear the fallen snow and the second trip later in the day would be to clear the snow that the snow plow pushed into your driveway as he went down the street.

Most people are ok with this approach, however, if you need to get your car out and there is a lot of snow, it can be a problem getting out of the driveway first of all and then later on down the street.

When Will They Clear Snow

Another factor is that they do not clear snow until at least half an inch has fallen. You may still need to or want to shovel a bit to keep your driveway nice and clean of snow. In addition, you will have to pay extra if you want them to clear snow off of your steps. This is an extra service not included in the cost of just clearing your driveway.

Buying a snow blower vs. having someone clear your driveway is a decision many people make based on avoiding shoveling snow. Or dealing with blowing snow vs. getting someone doing it for them and avoiding that extra work. If you decide to shovel, always be careful. If you are feeling any discomfort, stop and catch your breath before continuing to shovel. Far too many people have heart attacks every year from shoveling snow. This might be another reason to hire a snow clearing contractor to clear your driveway of snow in the wintertime.

The snow plowing business really depends on the weather and how much snow falls. Some years it feels like you are busy every day pushing snow around, clearing snow from parking lots and driveways. Other years, it seems that there is not much snow. There is a lot of down time for your equipment and your drivers. In these years, you may still have to pay employees. However operating expenses for fuel and maintenance of equipment is much lower.

When it does snow, operators are working around the clock for hours. Sometimes days just to keep up with the snow clearing. The snow storms that come through their area. Managing your cash flow is extremely important with such changes in the weather.

Snow plowing business operators get around the cash flow issue that weather creates for them by charging customers a fixed amount that covers a fixed number of months.  This way they share the risk with the customer in terms of managing cash flow and the number of times that a driveway or parking lot will need to be cleared. In light snow years, customers may feel that they paid too much for snow plowing, while in heave snow years they may feel like the really got a deal. This is the risk that operators take and that clients also take. It all depends on the weather and how it turns out. All you can do is plan for those variations  in the weather and make sure that your cash flow is in order.

Snow Plowing Business – Planning

Operators have the advantage in knowing how busy they will be, how many people to hire and how many pieces of equipment they should have ready to go when the snow comes. When it does now most of these operators will be going 24 hours a day for several days if the snow keeps coming. They may also go for a week at a time with nothing to do. You have to keep good employees around because otherwise they will go somewhere else to find work. This means you must pay them even if they are just sitting around waiting for the snow to come.

There are jobs that operators can take on to keep their employees busy during slow periods when it is not snowing. First of all maintenance and upkeep of all of the equipment is the top priority. You do not want anything to break down while clearing snow. If the operator also does work in the summer time, whether it is landscaping or construction, this down time can be used to complete repairs and clean up of all of this equipment as well. Some operators will have parking lot snow clearing operations that require the snow to be trucked away.

Clearing Stored Snow

While it is not snowing and the parking lot may be clear, there is still that large snow pile sitting there taking up space. Most contracts will call for this pile of snow to be cleared away as soon as possible. Front end loaders and trucks are required to move this snow. They will take it to a snow dump where it can melt later in the spring. There are also usually haulage fees to account for as well as dumping fees to account for. This is in addition to paying your operators to scrape the parking lot. When bidding on these kind of contracts, operators must account for all of this time and equipment.

The snowplow business changes from snow plowing to landscaping at the end of the winter season. As we are writing this post, companies in the snowplow business are wrapping up the season. They are doing a lot of maintenance on their equipment. They are also preparing for a season of lawn maintenance and landscaping projects. Many of these business owners will run snow plow businesses in the wintertime. Then run lawn care businesses in the summertime along with a variety of landscaping projects. They are able to keep all of their people working all year round running these two businesses. They save money maintaining the equipment and even using some of the equipment in both seasons.

What Does a Snow Plow Business Do in the Summer Time?

The snowplow business is obviously a very weather-related business. If it is not snowing they are not working. Most snow plow businesses have their customers sign seasonal contracts for fixed amounts. This guarantees that their driveways, sidewalks or parking areas will be cleared whenever it snows. If it is a light year for snowfalls, they tend to make more money. Since their expenses for fuel and wear and tear on equipment is a lot less. In the years that there is a lot of snow, everyone is busy and expenses are higher.

Snowplow businesses that have been in business for a number of years keep a pretty good eye on the competition. They also know that the work averages out. One year might be light on snow. While the next will be heavy. As long as they have budgeted accordingly, they will be fine from a profit and cash flow perspective. Pay careful attention to the rates charges and hire good drivers who take care of their machines and handle them as if they owned them. You will find that repairs will be much less as a result. Snowplow business owners will also find that excellent drivers cause much less damage to their customers’ property. This can reduce your overall cost as a result.

Can You Strike a Deal with a Discount for Snow Removal and Landscaping

If you are a property owner, hiring a company that provides both snow clearing in the wintertime and landscaping or lawn maintenance in the summer is a good way of ensuring that the company will be around for some time. There is less chance that they go bankrupt in the middle of the season and suddenly you find that your driveway or parking lot is not cleared of snow one morning.

Always have a contract, always make sure that details are spelled out on the contract, and always check with other customers to confirm satisfaction levels with the snow clearing that has been provided to them in past years. Bad things can still happen, but at least you have confirmed as much as you can be done your due diligence.

Check the Details

The same applies of course to your landscaping and lawn maintenance contracts. Make sure that everything you are expecting is laid out in detail in the contract. It should include the timing, the price, and the quality you are expecting is covered. This may seem like too much detail, However, the more conversation you have helps to ensure that expectations are met. Also that there are no misunderstandings. Many people fail to write these things down on the contract and as a result, there will be the misunderstanding of what is to be provided. If you want the lawn cut to one inch once per week regardless, spell it out on the contract so that there is no misunderstanding or disagreement.

It is pretty easy to resolve these things when you are discussing a contract and have not yet signed on the dotted line or paid your money. Once the contract is in place, there is usually little you can do to make changes or enforce services that you discussed, but did not write down in the contract.