A landscaper-snow remover's year: what to do, month by month
A landscaping and snow removal business works two overlapping seasons: summer and winter. This month-by-month calendar tells you what to prepare and when, with the help of an agent like Marco, who prepares the campaigns and follow-ups while your team decides.
March and April: renewal and spring opening
As the snow melts, properties clear and summer quotes (spring cleanup, lawn, landscaping) arrive. It is also the time to close the snow removal season cleanly.
To do: a campaign to last year's clients and dormant quotes for summer maintenance, and closing the season's snow removal files.
- Summer maintenance campaign to last year's clients.
- Follow-up on dormant quotes.
- Closing of snow removal files.
May and June: the landscaping and lawn peak
Planting, grading and regular maintenance get under way, and crew schedules fill up. Every day of delay on a landscaping quote raises the risk that the client signs elsewhere.
To do: generate the weekly maintenance route and follow up on pending landscaping quotes. Each client's file shows which stage of the maintenance program they are at.
July and August: regular maintenance and winter presale
In midsummer, clients are already planning for winter, and some contractors offer a discount for early signing, according to CAA-Québec. This is the time to launch the presale of snow removal contracts.
To do: an early-signing offer, sent to your snow removal clients and the fall quotes. Every message identifies your business and offers an unsubscribe.
- Presale of snow removal contracts with an early-signing offer.
- Check of contracts that have expired.
- Fall quotes prepared.
September and October: property closing and winter preparation
Last mowings, fall cleanup and preparation of properties before the freeze. Snow removal contracts must be signed before the first snowfall.
To do: one task per snow removal client to validate the snow threshold, snow placement, features to protect and current insurance before the route starts. Also note the hedges, borders and markers to protect before the first snow, otherwise damage turns into claims.
October and November: temporary car shelters and first snow
Many municipalities allow temporary car shelters from October 15 (others from October 1), and the snow removal season begins.
To do: remind clients of the stakes and obstacles to mark, and confirm the snow route. Check each client's city by-law before heading out.
November to March: the snow removal season
Many cities ban overnight parking or parking during operations from November 15 (or November 1) to April 15, which affects parking lots and snow placement.
To do: keep a log of passes, send delay messages to clients when needed, and track complaints and damage. Marco hands over to your team for any complaint or damage. He does not promise a visit time you have not confirmed.
- Log of passes.
- Delay messages to clients.
- Follow-up of complaints and damage.
January and February: mid-season review and early renewal
Big winters are costly in labor and fuel. This is the time to spot unhappy clients before the contract ends, with a courtesy call.
To do: call at-risk clients and prepare renewal offers for seasonal contracts ending in April. Reminder: a price change during a contract requires a clause that allows it and written notice; never announce it without your team's approval.
To stay on course throughout the year, track five indicators: the signing rate of quotes sent, the contracts to renew within the next 60 days, the renewal rate, the season's revenue by client type, and the time between the request and the quote being sent. They help you see when a season is slipping, without promising anything about results.
Between a season ending and another starting, renewal and presale make the difference. Keep this calendar handy and let the agent prepare while your team decides.
General information, not legal advice. Check with your professional order or the official source.
Questions
When should I launch the snow removal contract presale?
In July and August, when clients are already planning for winter. Contracts must be signed before the first snowfall in any case.
What should I do in January and February, mid-season?
Do a mid-season review, call at-risk clients and prepare renewal offers for seasonal contracts ending in April.
Does Marco manage the snow route on his own?
No. He prepares the route sheet and the messages, but your team decides. He hands over for any complaint or damage.
Official sources
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