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Liability Mitigation in Snow Removal — Protecting Strata Communities from Costly Risks

Winter is the most dangerous season for strata corporations. From icy walkways to surprise freeze-ups, the risks extend far beyond inconvenience. A single slip-and-fall can cost upwards of $85,000, inflate insurance premiums for years, and drain council resources in legal defense.

At Only Strata Snow Removal, liability mitigation isn’t a feature — it’s our foundation. We exist to protect, prioritize, and serve strata communities.

Woman holding a cup of coffee looking out at snowfall from her apartment window — highlighting the need for reliable strata snow removal services.

Why Strata Liability Matters

  • Courts don’t judge intentions — they assess preparedness and documentation.

  • Even unsuccessful claims can cost stratas tens of thousands in legal fees.

  • A successful claim almost always increases insurance premiums.

  • Councils often lose cases because contractors fail to provide reliable records.

  • The most powerful defense is simple:
    “We did everything we could — and here’s the documentation to prove it.”

Family building a snowman during snowfall in a residential strata community — safe walkways maintained by professional snow removal services.

Where Traditional Snow Removal Falls Short

Most providers treat snow as a seasonal add-on. Crews are pieced together, oversized parking-lot gear is repurposed, and stratas are bumped behind higher-paying commercial jobs. The result?

  • Missed timestamps and vague logs

  • No photographic proof of service

  • Delayed or skipped salting during freeze-thaw cycles

Hiring a generalist for strata liability is like asking an electrician to handle plumbing “just for the season.” It doesn’t work — and it costs communities dearly.

The Only-Strata Liability Protection System

Unlike companies that juggle storefronts, warehouses, and malls, Only Strata works exclusively with multi-unit residential, strata, and daycare communities. Since 2016, we’ve fine-tuned a system that keeps councils protected both on the ground and in court.

Before storms hit, we conduct site-specific risk assessments to map shaded walkways, ramps, and entrances. Our real-time monitoring and storm alerts dispatch crews proactively, based on ground conditions — not just snowfall depth. Teams arrive with precision equipment built for strata layouts, including ATVs for laneways, salting systems for stairs and slopes, and manual crews for areas machinery can’t reach.

Every visit is backed by legal-ready documentation: GPS logs, time-stamped service photos, and digital reports that boards can access anytime. The results speak for themselves:

  • $85,000 — average cost of a slip-and-fall claim in BC

  • < 2 hrs — typical snow/ice response time in most municipalities

  • 27 cities — served across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley

  • 100% — liability success record for all clients

  • 0 — claims lost by any Only Strata client

We don’t just remove snow. We remove legal uncertainty.

Woman and child playing safely in freshly cleared snow — demonstrating proactive liability-focused snow removal in strata housing.

Local Proof — Abbotsford & Chilliwack

In Abbotsford, a large townhouse complex faced repeated claims near a daycare entrance. Past contractors plowed the driveways but ignored shaded walkways. After switching to Only Strata, the council received pre-storm salting, photo documentation, and proactive monitoring. That winter: zero claims filed.
👉 Read more about our snow removal services in Abbotsford.

Chilliwack brings its own challenges. High-elevation neighborhoods freeze while lower zones stay clear. Generic plow routes left stratas in these areas vulnerable. Our crews applied zone-specific strategies and documented each visit, giving councils defensible records while reducing black ice incidents.
👉 See how we handle snow removal in Chilliwack.

📸 Real Results You Can See

How to Protect Your Strata This Winter

Liability season starts with the first frost, not the first snowfall. To protect your community:

  • Confirm your provider offers photo and GPS proof of service

  • Ask about salt reserves to ensure supply in shortages

  • Ensure they cap client volume so response times remain fast

  • Verify they specialize in stratas, not just commercial lots

Most liability claims occur between December and February, but the prevention starts now. Secure your contract before October 31 to guarantee coverage, documentation, and peace of mind.

👉 Protect your community with Only Strata Snow Removal today.

Conclusion:

Winter isn’t something we dabble in — it’s the reason we exist. While other companies juggle side gigs and storefronts, Only Strata is laser-focused on strata liability protection.

Because in the end, snow removal isn’t just about plows and salt. It’s about safeguarding residents, protecting budgets, and keeping councils out of court.

Comparison chart showing Only Strata’s liability protection versus traditional snow removal providers — highlighting documentation, response times, and insurance risk reduction.
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