sidewalk cleaing trigger

[pro property]

When you guys estblish a 2" trigger for plowing, and they are haveing you do sidewalks too.
Does your sidewalks fall under the 2" trigger also.
Or do you guys consider them differant, and maybe do them at any accumilation.
thanks
:canada :burnout :canada

[speedracer241]

We do sidewalks at any accumulation. We use a leaf blower up to a 2 stage snow thrower depending on conditions.
We have a pre set ammount just to clear the walks and usually do ok.

Mark K

[pro property]

this is my first year. I have some accouts that are 2" trigger for snow, and they wanted the sidewalks done. Well I never really thaought about just the walks, if its less than 2".

I am going to do them on any accumalation. This should make them happy, no matter what, and should help me out for next year when they are decideing on who to use again.
For the commercials anyways.
I have one residential with walks , with a 2" trigger. Not sure if I should stop and do that one or not though. Actually , now that I say that, I should do hers also.
What do you other guys do.


:canada :burnout :canada

[Lawn Lad]

For residentials we will do the walks when we plow. 2" trigger will get plowed proactively depending on type of snow, and the walks along with the drive.

As for commercials where we are applying ice control chemical we will shovel first and then salt. Generally I try to sell 1" walk triggers. There is little point in my opinion in applying chemical to 1" or more of snow, since you more than likely won't melt and it down and then you'll be left with slush. Traffic helps to break up and move around salt brine in a parking lot so you can melt down more snow. You don't get this kind of movement or action on sidewalks. Leaving slush behind I think can be as much of a hazard as the snow itself, and it will definetly track inside.

When I provide a seasonal contract I figure in a higher factor for sidewalks than parking lots when determining frequency of service. I expect that I will clear walks more frequently than I will a parking lot, even if they have the same trigger, be it 1" or 2".

[pro property]

thanks lawn lad
That helped alot. I need to rethink my contracts for next season. Make sure I am clear with the people I do sidewalks for. Have a set trigge for them.
I think the residentials makes sense. If the plow trigger is reached then I will do the walks for those.
For this season, I will clear the commercials even if the snow is less than the plowing trigger. Then , like i said, redefine the outlines of walks for next season.

:canada

[JimL]

we will shovel or salt with any acumulation...
usually wait till it quits but 24hr places and walmart we might do twice...

[DanG]

Commercial walkways get done everytime that they get plowed(they pay for that service).
For residentials I wait till the storm is over usually and then do the walks.
Otherwise the customers tend to complain when you bill them for mutliple shovelings(at least they do around here).

I feel in the time it takes to get out of the truck & do the walks i could have another driveway done and I make more money plowing, not shoveling, so thats how i set it up with them.

Dan

[Ted]

Sidewalk blowers at under 2"

Pushblower & Backpacks oh my!

[Lawngodfather]

Similar to Lawn Lad, but we will apply chem and clear off any accumulation up to 1" then they will get charged from 1" up.

I do under 1" for free to save chemical. A back pack blower is very fast on these.

For Ice I keep applying till it breaks up and we can move it, and will charge for each app. then a shoveling.

I make a ton of money off walks, but once you make an attempt, you become liable.

BTW I use seprate trucks for walks, this way they can work different accounts and not slow the truck down.

I do not offer walks at resi accounts. The ones I do do, get handeled the same as a commercial walkway.

[Rooster]

All sidewalks are 1" triggers same as lots for me.

Rick