Mirage Landscaping is a full-service property maintenance company operating year-round. In addition to our landscape maintenance, landscape construction, and landscape design services, we also provide commercial and residential snow removal services. We take great pride in our work, always leaving properties spotless and free from snow and ice, as we know just how important it is to avoid slip and fall hazards in the winter.
Slip and falls are very common, and can result in injuries such as sprained ankles and wrists, broken bones, damage to knees, shoulder dislocations, spine and nerve damage, and brain injuries. A bad slip and fall can cause irreparable damage and drastically alter a person’s lifestyle forever.
Approximately 12% of all falls are because of slipping. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, there were 67,418 hospital emergency department visits in Canada due to accidental falls on ice in 2019. In 2017, Alberta actually led the country for slip and fall insurance claims with $337 million paid out, which is why we highly recommend everyone consider professional snow removal services. You are responsible for everyone’s safety on your property, and you can be sued should someone harm themselves when visiting. A business owner who doesn’t appear to care about the safety of their property for their staff, clients, and customers can quickly gain a bad reputation online. For a homeowner, a slip and fall claim can be incredibly costly, time-consuming, and stressful, and will result in increased home insurance premiums.
What do look for in a snow removal contractor
Mirage Landscaping operates at the highest level of the snow removal industry. We service both commercial and residential clients, guaranteeing our work will be done quickly, cleanly, and to the highest of standards.
When looking for a snow removal contractor, there are several questions you can ask to ensure you are working with a reputable company.
- Inquire about how many crews they have and the type of equipment they have access to. A snow removal company needs to be properly staffed in order to be able to reach their properties in a timely manner after a snowfall. Mirage has the right amount of people available at all times so that you never have to wait for your property to be cleared. We also have a large amount of equipment available, so we are able to send out a number of our employees out all at once after a snowfall. We operate within the mandates of Calgary by-laws, and will appear at our commercial properties in the middle of the night so they are cleared by the time your customers arrive.
- Proper insurance coverage is essential. Snow removal insurance rates have gone up, which has caused some companies to forego their coverage. Others are choosing to download the extra costs on their clients, which is something we at Mirage refuse to do. Your snow removal contractor’s insurance coverage should be up to date and valid for the entirety of the snow season, with a minimum liability coverage of $2 million at the very least. $5 million has become the industry standard.
- Trained employees are those who will perform their jobs well without damaging your property or injuring themselves. We provide our employees with robust safety training as well as complete training on all of our tools and equipment. They are taught everything from the best way to shovel to how to operate snow blowers and power brushes. Our most experienced employees are the ones who take the wheels of our snow plows and heavy-duty equipment, and they are consistently reminded of the best practices for commercial snow removal and how to take care of machinery so it performs at the highest level possible.
- We all know that good companies are able to keep their employees for the long term. We have employees that have been with us at Mirage for more than 10 years, and among the ownership we have three generations worth of skills and knowledge guiding the way. We pay our employees well (with benefits) because we know the importance of what they do, and there is room for advancement and career development. We are also committed to providing certification and training and are involved in trade associations.
We know everything there is to know about snow removal
Winter is coming, and for Calgary that means accumulations generally start to develop in early November. Now is the time to set up a snow removal contract with Mirage Landscaping. You’ll end up with a contract in place that solidifies our commitment to winter safety.