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5 Common Mistakes British Columbia Strata Councils Make With Snow Removal Contracts
Choosing a snow removal provider isn’t just about clearing snow — it’s about protecting residents, budgets, and liability. At Only Strata Snow Removal, we specialize in strata, offices, and mixed-use residential/retail properties across 26 cities in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, the North Shore, and Tri-Cities.
Every winter, we see the same pitfalls repeated by strata councils and property managers. Here are the 5 most common mistakes — and how to avoid them.
1. Waiting Too Long to Sign a Contract
By November, most reputable providers are full. Late enrolment leads to:
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Waitlists or no service
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Higher emergency rates
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Limited salt availability
The best time to enrol is August 1 to October 31.
Many strata councils assume they can wait until the first forecast of snow, but by then, top providers are already at capacity. Those who wait often get left with “overflow” contractors — small operators who lack the equipment, salt reserves, and liability coverage to manage large-scale strata needs.
Early enrolment also ensures a detailed site plan can be created in advance, mapping out driveways, walkways, and high-risk areas. This preparation is critical for reliable service on the first snowfall.
2. Choosing Providers Who “Do Everything”
Snow removal is often an afterthought for companies that focus on landscaping, paving, or commercial properties. These general providers lack the specialization stratas require and almost always prioritize their high-paying commercial clients first. Strata sites, unfortunately, are left waiting.
In high-density zones like Delta snow removal and Langley snow removal, this becomes a serious issue. These communities need rapid, proactive attention — not service that’s squeezed in after warehouses and shopping plazas.
Specialization matters. Providers who spread themselves thin simply cannot deliver the consistency, route optimization, and liability protection stratas demand.
3. Ignoring Liability & Documentation
This is one of the most dangerous mistakes. Many companies either carry minimal insurance or subcontract the work to smaller operators who don’t carry proper coverage at all. Councils may believe they’re covered, but in reality, they’re exposed.
Without GPS-logged photos, timestamped service reports, and proper liability coverage, your council has no defense in the event of a slip-and-fall claim. Even an unsuccessful claim can cost a strata over $25,000 in legal fees. A successful claim can mean a six-figure payout and higher insurance premiums for years to come.
At Only Strata, we maintain a perfect liability record by combining real-time reporting, proactive salting, and strict insurance compliance.
4. Overlooking Salt Supply Guarantees
Every winter, the Lower Mainland faces salt shortages. Municipalities, airports, and highways buy up supply, leaving residential clients scrambling. Providers without dedicated reserves simply can’t serve their clients during peak demand.
Some companies try to sign as many contracts as possible without securing supply in advance — only to leave their clients unprotected when salt runs out. Others quietly subcontract their contracts to smaller providers with zero storage capacity. In both cases, the end result is the same: untreated ice and unsafe walkways.
Only Strata solves this with over 1,000 tonnes of reserved de-icing salt, set aside exclusively for our strata, office, and mixed-use residential/retail clients. Our clients never face shortages, even in record-breaking winters.
📸 Real Results You Can See
5. Failing to Match Provider Capacity With Site Needs
One of the biggest industry problems is “overselling.” Many companies sign as many contracts as possible, then either:
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Delay response times because they don’t have enough crews, or
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Subcontract work to small, unknown operators the strata council never approved.
This creates inconsistency, risk, and frustration. Stratas expect a professional fleet — not random operators cycling through their site.
At Only Strata, we take the opposite approach. We enforce strict capacity caps, meaning we turn away clients once we reach our maximum. This ensures every property has dedicated equipment, optimized routing, and crews who know the site layout in advance.
Final Word: Don’t Let Your Council Repeat These Mistakes
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By avoiding these 5 common errors, your community can secure reliable coverage, full liability protection, and proactive winter maintenance all season long. Whether you’re in Burnaby, Delta, Langley, or anywhere else across our 26-city coverage area, the key is choosing a provider who specializes exclusively in strata and multi-unit communities.
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👉 Ready to see why strata councils across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley trust Only Strata? Get Your Quick Quote Today
