# Commercial Snow Removal Contracts Explained: Seasonal vs. Per-Push vs. Per-Event > How commercial snow removal contracts work in Michigan: seasonal, per-push, and per-event pricing, trigger depths, salting, sidewalks, documentation, and what to ask before you sign. - **URL:** https://chctotal.com/resources/commercial-snow-removal-contracts/ - **Author:** CHC Total Building, Inc. - **Published:** 2026-10-22 - **Modified:** 2026-10-22 - **Categories:** Snow & ice - **Business:** CHC Total Building, Inc. · 3701 Berry Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 · (313) 350-0648 · info@chctotal.com --- Snow & ice # Commercial Snow Removal Contracts Explained: Seasonal vs. Per-Push vs. Per-Event By [CHC Total Building, Inc.](https://chctotal.com/about/) · October 22, 2026 · 3 min read How commercial snow removal contracts work in Michigan: seasonal, per-push, and per-event pricing, trigger depths, salting, sidewalks, documentation, and what to ask before you sign. On this page 1. [The three common pricing structures](#the-three-common-pricing-structures) 2. [Trigger depth and service timing](#trigger-depth-and-service-timing) 3. [Salting and ice management](#salting-and-ice-management) 4. [Sidewalks and entrances](#sidewalks-and-entrances) 5. [Stacking and hauling](#stacking-and-hauling) 6. [Documentation and insurance](#documentation-and-insurance) 7. [Questions to ask before you sign](#questions-to-ask-before-you-sign) Every fall, Southeast Michigan property managers face the same decision: how to contract snow and ice service for the coming winter. The right structure depends on your risk tolerance, budget predictability, and how critical it is that your lot is open at 6 a.m. Here’s how the common contract types work and what to look for. ## The three common pricing structures ### Seasonal (fixed) contracts You pay a fixed price for the season — usually in monthly installments — no matter how much it snows. Some seasonal contracts include a cap on the number of events or total inches, with additional charges above the cap. - **Best for:** properties that need a predictable budget and can’t afford gaps in service. - **Watch for:** event or inch caps, and whether salt is included. ### Per-push contracts You pay each time the lot is plowed. A long storm may require several pushes, each billed separately. - **Best for:** smaller lots, or owners willing to accept budget swings for lower cost in light winters. - **Watch for:** how a “push” is defined and how many pushes a long event can generate. ### Per-event contracts You pay a set price per snow event, typically tiered by total accumulation (for example 1–3", 3–6", 6"+). The contractor decides how many pushes it takes. - **Best for:** owners who want to pay for outcomes rather than truck visits. - **Watch for:** how the start and end of an “event” are defined. ## Trigger depth and service timing The trigger is the snowfall depth at which service starts automatically. At CHC Total our default is 1½ inches, but we set it with each customer — some want service every time it snows, others prefer to wait for 2 inches. Also agree on: - **Open-by time** — when the lot must be clear (for example, before a 3 a.m. shift or 7 a.m. store opening). - **Priorities** — fire lanes, emergency entrances, docks, handicap spaces, and building fronts first. - **Return visits** — whether the contractor will come back to re-open approaches after municipal plows pass. ## Salting and ice management Ice causes more slip-and-fall claims than snow. Your contract should say who decides when to salt, how it is applied, and how it is billed. Two questions matter most in Michigan: 1. **Is salt supply guaranteed?** Regional salt shortages have happened in Metro Detroit. Contractors that pre-buy and stockpile salt for the season — as CHC Total does — aren’t dependent on local supply during a bad winter. 2. **How is salt applied?** Truck-mounted hydraulic spreaders on lots and powered spreaders on walks give even coverage and avoid waste. ## Sidewalks and entrances Walkways are often a separate line item. Ask how the contractor handles light versus heavy snow. Rotary brooms work well under about 2 inches and reduce the need for ice melt; plows with rubber cutting edges protect concrete on heavier snow. Steps and tight areas should be detailed by hand. ## Stacking and hauling On busy lots, every parking space counts. Make sure the contract covers where snow is stacked (never in handicap spaces or against the building), whether piles can be pushed back, and the rate for hauling snow off site when storage runs out. ## Documentation and insurance Ask for service logs with times for each visit and application, and a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured. Good records protect both parties if a claim is filed. ## Questions to ask before you sign - What is the trigger depth, and can it change mid-season? - What equipment will be assigned to my property? - Is there a guaranteed salt supply? - How are sidewalks, docks, and stacking handled? - How do you respond to service calls during a storm? - What documentation will I receive after each visit? Want a recommendation for your property? [See our commercial snow removal service](https://chctotal.com/services/snow-removal/) or [request a site walk](https://chctotal.com/contact/). ## Frequently asked questions ** ### What is a trigger depth in a snow removal contract? ** The snowfall depth that automatically starts service. Many commercial contracts use 1½ or 2 inches; some properties want service every time it snows. ** ### Is seasonal or per-push snow removal cheaper? ** It depends on the winter. Seasonal contracts cost the same regardless of snowfall, so they win in heavy winters; per-push pricing is cheaper in light winters but harder to budget. ** ### Is salting included in snow removal contracts? ** Sometimes. Salt is often billed per application, but it can be included in a seasonal price. Ask whether the contractor has a guaranteed salt supply. ## Related services - [Commercial Snow Removal](https://chctotal.com/services/snow-removal/) - [Concrete & Asphalt Paving](https://chctotal.com/services/concrete-asphalt-paving/) ## More resources October 22, 2026 · Warehouse & material handling ### [Pallet Rack Installation Checklist: What to Prepare Before Installers Arrive](https://chctotal.com/resources/pallet-rack-installation-checklist/) A practical pallet rack installation checklist: layout drawings, permits, slab and anchoring, load plaques, flue spaces, forklift access, tear-down of existing racks, and final inspection. October 22, 2026 · Facility services ### [Data Center Cleaning: How Often, What’s Included, and Why It Protects Uptime](https://chctotal.com/resources/data-center-cleaning-guide/) What professional data center cleaning includes — equipment surfaces, raised floors, underfloor plenums, and ceilings — how often to clean, and how cleaning protects uptime. October 22, 2026 · Construction ### [Design-Build vs. General Contracting vs. Construction Management](https://chctotal.com/resources/design-build-vs-general-contracting/) Compare design-build, design-bid-build general contracting, and construction management for commercial projects: who designs, who carries risk, schedule, cost certainty, and when each fits. ## Questions about your property? Talk to a contractor who has been doing this since 1959. [Get a free quote](https://chctotal.com/contact/) · [Call (313) 350-0648](tel:+13133500648) --- _Source: [CHC Total](https://chctotal.com)_ _Generated: 2026-10-22 17:06:53_