2020 was a year of unpredictability, most notably due to a global pandemic that caused the public to spend most their days at home, businesses to endure losses and budgets to be restricted.
These circumstances paired with an uncharacteristically mild winter in New Brunswick made snow removal services all but certain to have a rough season. However, its just over a month into 2021 and these businesses are seeing success albeit previous pessimism.
“I was expecting a slow season but there wasn’t much of an effect so far” said Lisa Brush of D & S Snow Removal Services.
Snow removal companies receive large payments on a scheduled basis rather than billing every time a property is cleared
The company expected a decrease in customers due to most property owners being forced to stay at home.
There was a large feeling of relief when D & S and other snow services came to the realization that New Brunswickers being trapped at home would provide more business.
“We have a lot of snowbirds that are stuck at home this year,” said Brush
Many Canadians usually elect to head south in the winter months evading the entire thought of snow. Brush believes these snowbirds were not prepared for many of the harsh conditions that occur during the winter and they’ve turned to the professionals for help.
While this year provided surprising success for local businesses like D & S, it wasn’t shared throughout the industry.
Companies receive payments regardless of how much work must be done; However, operators have been left in an undesirable position.
An Operator for a large snow removal service was eager to share the struggles facing members of the industries but asked for anonymity out of fear of being “black balled”.
The life of an operator can be unpredictable, often prohibiting workers from finding other jobs to supplement income during slow seasons.
“It’s probably the most difficult side of this, snow can come at any time and we might not receive more than 24 hours notice,” the operator noted.
Plow drivers are required to stay on call and be available while also being uncompensated. The operator noted that being paid less during slow years is understandable but the days where they receive nothing makes it a tough industry to come back to every year.