Bringing in a new snow removal partner can be overwhelming. If they do badly, you take the blame, and worse, the company may be at risk. If they do well, no one notices. You need to arm yourself with the right knowledge to pick the best operator. In Snow Removal Solutions for Property Managers: Make informed decisions to protect your property, satisfy your tenants and meet your budget, Jonathan Crandall, a commercial/industrial property owner and owner of JC Grounds Management, shares how to understand every aspect of snow removal.

• Forecasting Expenses: What kinds of contracts exist, and how do you choose the right ones for your property? When you budget right, you save money.

• Choosing the Right Contractor: Learn the difference between aggregators and self-performers, and why one class typically out-performs the other.

• Insurance: What kind of insurance does your vendor have, what does a partner mindset mean, and how do you stay protected from lawsuits in advance?

• Systems and Processes: What’s happening behind the scenes, from technology to operating systems, to keep you and your site protected?

• Speed: How fast can your contractor respond in an unforeseen weather event? I share the difference from proactive service versus reactive, and why one can bankrupt us all.

• Back-up Plans: Is your contractor prepared for what to do when everything else fails? Do they have a contingency plan?

• Professional Training: Is your vendor trained, with industry-leading certifications and designations? What do these certifications and designations represent? What is their track record, and what do clients have to say about them?