Can a snow removal company count on its seasonal plow drivers?
Only as far as the records show. Ask how many drivers came back from last winter, how the crew is paid, and who covers a storm when someone is sick. A company that keeps its drivers year to year has far less to rebuild after a sale.
Start with the roster. Ask for the list of drivers from the last few winters and see who returned. Find out how each was hired, whether as an employee or a contractor, and whether they own their equipment or drive the company’s trucks. Your accountant can help you read how that classification looks on the books.
Then ask about the weak spots. Who is on call during a long storm? What happens when a driver quits in January? A company with a bench of backup drivers and a clear call-out routine is better placed than one that scrambles every storm. Ask for examples of storms where the crew fell short and what changed afterward.
Finally, look at what holds the crew together. Pay, off-season work, tools and treatment all play a part. Talk to the lead drivers if you can. If they have a good relationship with the owner, plan how you will keep it. Check that drivers hold the licences and certificates the work needs, and ask your lawyer what applies. Also ask how drivers are scheduled around their other jobs, since many seasonal drivers have full-time work elsewhere. A roster that depends on a few people being free every storm is thinner than it looks on paper.
Key takeaways
- Review who returned from past winters and how each driver is engaged.
- Look for backup drivers and a clear storm call-out routine.
- Meet the lead drivers and plan how to keep them after the handover.
Related reading
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to reduce employee turnover
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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