We live in Calgary—someone’s going to have to clear the snow that falls on your property. Choosing between DIY snow removal and professional services can be tricky. Let’s compare the two:
Professional Snow Removal
Pros
- Professional service: With fleets of snow removal machines, a professional snow removal company can remove snow from residential and commercial properties quickly and efficiently. A professional snow removal service can improve curbside appeal, reduce the risk of slip-and-trip accidents, and clear your property more efficiently.
- Guaranteed service: Most professional snow removal companies will guarantee their services; when a certain amount of snow has fallen, they will clear the snow within a specific amount of time (usually within 24 hours).
- Lower upfront costs: Purchasing the proper equipment for snow removal can be very expensive, and the upfront costs of buying a snow blower are much higher than hiring professionals. For business owners, labour costs are often much lower with a professional snow removal company.
- It’s safer: Hiring a professional snow removal company can help reduce your risk of slip-and-fall accidents—and that limits your chances of having to deal with a liability suit. Injuries can also occur when you attempt to clear snow yourself. Professional snow clearing can also include the sidewalks, alleys, and walkways bordering your property—which can save you from fines from the City of Calgary.
Cons
- More expensive: Going out with a shovel or snow plow and clearing snow yourself can be less expensive. Of course, time is money, and you might not want to spend hours plowing snow. Additionally, businesses may have to pay employees for snow plowing, which can become expensive.
- You need to find the right company: Not every snow removal business has the same capacity for clearing snow, the same level of experience, or the same level of quality. You’ll need to take time to find the right snow removal company for you, balancing costs, service, and guarantees.
Doing-It-Yourself
Pros
- You get a workout: Heavy lifting isn’t always pleasant, but it is good cardio and even offers some benefits for strength-building.
- You can start working any time: One disadvantage to professional snow removal services is that you have to wait for them to show up. There are circumstances when waiting isn’t feasible—in those cases, doing it yourself is the best idea.
Cons
- Your health may be at risk: There’s some evidence that the heavy lifting involved in snow removal can lead to serious heart problems—it’s a good workout, but not one that should be taken lightly.
- It’s a time-consuming process: Clearing snow yourself takes a lot of time and effort—and the results might not be as good as what one would see from a snow removal company.
Which Is Better?
We may be biased, but we feel that professional snow removal services are the way to go. Commercial snow removal can save you a lot of time and money and protect you and your clients from slip-and-fall accidents. Residential customers benefit from higher quality snow removal, along with guaranteed service and less risk to their health.
Hiring Professional Snow Removal Services in Calgary
Looking for a business to handle snow and ice removal after every snowfall? Here at Infinity, we get the job done, whether you need us to clear a driveway, a parking lot, or a whole commercial complex. Need snow removal in Calgary? Call us today.