Now that the snowflakes have started to fall, it’s time to think about how you will be able to clear that snow away. Whether you’re a business owner, a property owner, or simply a homeowner who doesn’t have a way to clear your own snow, a snow removal company in Utah can help. But you can’t hire just any company—the key is to know how to find the best company for your needs.

Reliability

It’s impossible to predict at the beginning of the season just how many days it will snow, or how much, during any given winter in Utah. For that reason you need to know that whenever it snows your snow removal company will be there to help. That means being there in the middle of the night, the early hours of the morning, or during rush hour commutes. A reliable snow removal company will be there no matter what.

Equipment

The next thing to consider is whether the snow removal company you are considering has all the necessary equipment to do the job. Clearing snow from your driveway requires something different than clearing snow out of your neighborhood or your company’s parking lot, but all will require vehicles that can handle driving in slippery, snowy conditions. In addition to clearing the snow, the company you hire will need to have equipment to spread salt or other ice melt.

Personnel

Having the wrong equipment can make a difference for snow removal, but so can having the wrong people. Clearing snow is about more than just driving a plow; it’s understanding the most effective ways to move snow from driveways and parking lots to places where people can safely navigate walking and driving.

Protection

Even with the most skilled employees, snow and ice can be unpredictable. That means you want to hire someone for your snow removal who carries proper insurance to protect your property in the event something does go wrong. Some companies may even have insurance, but if you don’t check the fine print you might find out the hard way that you are liable if someone slips and falls or crashes in your parking lot as the result of the snow and ice left behind. Having a minimum amount of insurance and coverage that protects you as a company will help.

Affordability

The final consideration in evaluating your snow removal contractor is the cost. Make sure you choose a company that provides great service with a price tag that keeps you on budget. However, in many cases—and snow removal is no exception—you will get what you pay for, so don’t just go for “cheap” service; in that case you’ll probably get “cheap” work done.

Rather than dreading the snow, hire a snow removal company with the best equipment, that is reliable, that has trained employees, and is affordable, and you can get through the snowy season without worrying.