What a snow removal service agreement is for
Snow removal carries real liability, because people slip on ice. A written agreement sets the season, the trigger, the service window and what you are and are not responsible for, and it is often what an insurer looks at after a claim. Commercial clients will ask for one and a certificate of insurance.
What to put on a snow removal service agreement
- Season dates and areas.
- Trigger depth and service timing.
- Salt and ice treatment.
- Damage reporting and repair.
- Limits of responsibility for ice.
- Price, payment and cancellation.
A worked example
A small office signs for the season: lot, walks and salting.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lot plowing, season | 1 | each | Your price |
| Walkway clearing, season | 1 | each | Your price |
| Ice melt application, season | 1 | each | Your price |
Say what the client must do, such as report ice between visits. This is a template, not legal advice; snow work carries slip-and-fall risk, so have it reviewed and confirm your state's rules.
Line items snow removal companies use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway plowing, per push | visit | Each time you plow; say the trigger depth. |
| Seasonal plowing contract | each | Unlimited or capped pushes for a flat price. |
| Walkway and steps shoveling | visit | By hand or snowblower. |
| Salt or ice melt application | visit | Product and whether it is pet safe. |
| Sidewalk clearing, city walk | ft | Some cities require it within a time after snowfall. |
| Commercial lot plowing | visit | By lot size and trigger. |
| Snow relocation or hauling | load | When there is nowhere left to pile it. |
| Roof snow removal | hour | From the ground or roof, with safety gear. |
| Ice dam steaming | hour | Steam, not chipping. |
| Snow stakes install | each | Marks edges before the first snow. |
| Damage repair allowance | each | Turf or edge damage from plowing, repaired in spring. |
Terms and deposit language for snow removal
- Deposit. Seasonal contracts are often paid up front or in monthly installments; per-push customers may keep a card on file.
- Payment. Seasonal: up front or monthly. Per push: billed after each storm or monthly.
- Warranty. Not a warranty trade. Say how you handle turf, edge or mailbox damage from plows, and how to report it.
- Service starts at the trigger depth stated; drifting and blowing snow may need extra visits.
- Plowing order depends on the route; say the target time after snowfall ends.
- Ice can form after service; ice melt reduces but does not remove slip risk.
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer and the start and end dates.
- List what each visit includes and how many visits a year.
- Add your price per line; the plan shows a yearly total, and a monthly figure if billed monthly.
- Fill in what is not covered and the renewal and cancellation terms.
- Check your state's rules, then print it for signatures.
Free tools for snow removal
The same service agreement for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.