SNOW REMOVAL FAQs


Snow Factors PDF

Why SnowTech?
Can snowblowers handle Tahoe Donner® snow?
Why hire a snow removal service?
Do you offer on-call service?
What time will you begin snow removal?
Holders vs. other tractors
Payment plan options
Credit cards
Berms
Garage doors
Landscaping
Cars parked in driveway
End-of-the-season property repairs
Leaving when there's 1-2 feet of snow in my driveway and the Town of Truckee snowplow hasn’t come by yet
Steep upslopes or downslopes in driveways
How often do you clear driveways?
Will driving over the snow turn it to ice?
When you have an appointment to keep
Do I need to call you before I come up?
How many clearings are included in seasonal fee?
When to sign up for snow removal
Selling your house during the winter season
Walkway, roof, deck and propane tank shoveling
SnowTech's insurance policy
Contractor’s License
Winter office hours

WHY SHOULD WE CHOOSE SNOWTECH?
SnowTech is Tahoe Donner’s most innovative and progressive snow removal service, offering homeowners better snow removal and more value for their dollar. SnowTech is the only major service whose fleet is 100% lightweight snowblower-based tractors.

Our staff has the operational, mechanical and administrative experience necessary to offer Tahoe Donner homeowners a prompt, reliable and superior snow removal service.  
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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE?
Long-time snow country visitors and residents alike have found snow removal to be an affordable and time-saving luxury. Upon arriving for a weekend getaway, homeowners rarely want to tackle a three foot berm and two feet of snow in their driveway. Similarly, full-time residents enjoy not having to clear their driveways before going to work or after returning home.  
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RATHER THAN USE A SEASONAL CONTRACT, CAN WE GIVE YOU A CALL BEFORE COMING UP AND HAVE OUR DRIVEWAY CLEARED AS NEEDED?
Sure. ‘Will-Calls’ are part of SnowTech’s business also. ‘Will-Calls’ cost an average of $100.00-$150.00 per clearing. However, just like a seasonal snow removal quote, the fee is based on driveway size and slope. In addition, the price of a ‘Will-Call’ is based on the amount of snow in the driveway.

Most people prefer the seasonal contract as the break-even point is only six to seven clearings. A homeowner or their guests could easily use a couple of those clearings on a snowy weekend. Additionally, homeowners that use the "Will-Call" method routinely find that a layer of sheet ice has formed under their driveway’s unplowed snow.  
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WHAT TIME WILL YOU BEGIN SNOW REMOVAL?
SnowTech will begin snow removal operations when snowfall reaches a depth of approximately 4" in Tahoe Donner. Therefore, the timing of snow removal may vary from day to day. However, SnowTech tries to begin its snow removal operations between 1:00a.m. - 3:00a.m., with our routes taking about six to eight hours to complete. Because of the unpredictability and severity of the weather, we cannot guarantee that we will arrive at your house at a set time every day.  
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WHY DO YOU CLEAR DRIVEWAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

The reason that we clear driveways in the middle of the night whenever possible is because there is very little traffic on the roadways at this time. The lack of cars on the roads significantly reduces our chances of accidents with vehicles. Our tractors are constantly backing out of driveways onto the roadway. Operating during the middle of the night allows us to work quickly and without the risk or delays of vehicular traffic.  
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WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON BERM REMOVAL?
For a number of reasons it is impossible to coordinate our residential snow removal routes with the Town of Truckee’s road snow plowing crews.

During each shift of operations staff monitors the Town of Truckee Public Works Department’s road plowing and evaluates the size of berms and their potential difficulty to homeowners. Based on that information SnowTech decides whether or not the berms are a significant hindrance to homeowners and whether they should be eliminated immediately or during the next day of snowclearing. However, there are times when we are not able to return the same day because of operator fatigue, heavy snowfall, slow road clearing response from the Town, etc  
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WHAT IF THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE SNOWPLOW BERMS ME IN AFTER SNOWTECH HAS CLEARED MY DRIVEWAY?
SnowTech guarantees homeowners one driveway clearing per 24-hour period. If the Town of Truckee berms appear to be unusually large, SnowTech will make every effort to return and clear them. However, due to operator fatigue, heavy snowfall, etc., SnowTech may not be able to return until the following day.  
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IS THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING AWAY MY BERM?
The Town of Truckee does not provide a berm service and leaves the task of clearing the berm to the snow removal service or homeowner.

On occasion, and while widening the roadway, the Town’s snowblower will accidentally deposit snow in a private driveway. If a homeowner contacts the Town of Truckee at (530) 582-7707, their personnel will make arrangements to clear away the snow accidentally deposited by their snowblower. But again, the Town of Truckee will not respond to your home to clear the berm left by their snowplow.

HOW CLOSE CAN YOU GET TO MY GARAGE DOOR?
In most cases, our small tractors can safely maneuver within 12 " to 18 " inches of your garage door, car, stairs and/or entry. Our operators will remove snow from around these areas to the best of their ability. However, they may decide that the potential for damage to your property does not warrant the risk of removing a few more inches of snow. Metal garage doors seem to be particularly susceptible to damage, therefore we tend to approach metal garage doors with caution and sometimes stay farther away when the snow is wet and heavy.  
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WHAT SHOULD I DO IF ONE OF MY SNOWSTAKES HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT?
First, please try to reinstall the snowstake yourself. If it is not possible to reinstall it, please notify us and we will send someone out to fix it. Please allow about one week from the time of notification to the time we fix the snowstake.  
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WHY IS THERE A LARGE PILE OF SNOW IN FRONT OF MY GARAGE DOOR?
Wet, heavy snow and/or warm ground temperature turns the base layer of snow into a slushy mess. This wet base layer tends to push out in front of the snowblower as the tractor proceeds in towards your garage door. When conditions are right (or wrong) snow rides on top of the slushy base layer and is not processed readily into the snowblower.

Our operators are familiar with these conditions and do their best to minimize the snow deposited in front of your garage door. Please call our office and advise us if you need help removing this snow.  
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DO I NEED TO PROTECT MY LANDSCAPING FROM YOUR EQUIPMENT?
No. That’s the beauty of snowblower-based snow removal. SnowTech will disperse snow across your property, minimizing landscape damage.

It is always a good idea to stake and tie all bushes, shrubs and trees before the first snowfall. For information on winter landscape preparation, please contact the Villager Nursery in Truckee’s Old Gateway Center at (530) 587-0771.  
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WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN YOU ARE REMOVING SNOW?
If we are able to identify who is parking in your driveway, we will politely ask them to move their vehicle. We will also inform them that you have paid for a seasonal snow removal contract and that they are obstructing your driveway’s snow removal. If we cannot identify the owner of the car, our operator can only clear that portion of the driveway that he or she can access.

If you know that a neighbor is continually parking in your driveway during snow storms, please ask them to park in their driveway and explain that it obstructs the service you have paid for.  
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WHAT IS SNOWTECH'S POLICY ON END-OF-THE SEASON PROPERTY REPAIRS?
Snowtech will reasonably repair damage to your property caused by our sole gross negligence.  Snowtech is not responsible for chain marks, scratches or gouges resulting from normal snow removal operations, nor will be responsible for driveway damage resulting from poor construction, driveways that sink due to a saturated base or poor compaction.  Snowtech is not responsible for damage to property left in, constructed or placed adjacent to the driveway that is not clearly visible to the operator and properly marked by the homeowner.
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WHAT IF IT'S SNOWING LIKE CRAZY, I'VE GOT 1-2 FEET OF SNOW IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE SNOWPLOW HASN'T COME BY YET, AND I WANT TO GET OUT AND HEAD HOME?
First, please be aware of your vehicle’s capabilities and limitations. For instance, how suitable are your vehicle’s tires to heavy snow conditions. Does it have high or low ground clearance?

If there is 1-2 feet of snow in your driveway, a similar amount will be in the unplowed roadway. Consider the possibility that it may be wiser (and safer) to remain a while longer in your warm, dry home rather than becoming stuck in the street and having to wait 2-3 hours for a tow truck.

We encourage homeowners to proceed through any amount of snow that their vehicle can safely handle. However, under some conditions it is wise to remain inside until SnowTech clears your driveway and Town of Truckee clears the roadway.  
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WHAT IF I HAVE DIFFICULTY DUE TO MY DRIVEWAY'S STEEP UPSLOPE OR DOWNSLOPE?
Unfortunately, some homes have been built without seriously considering winter access. Though SnowTech will do all it can to maintain access to and from your home, it cannot be responsible for the lack of accessibility due to steep up sloping or down sloping driveways, or accessibility problems caused by vehicles not well suited for winter conditions, unfamiliarity with winter driving, etc.

SnowTech suggests that homeowners with difficult driveways or driveways that have poor sun exposure or are susceptible to icing maintain a 5-gallon bucket of sand in their garage.  
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CAN I EXPECT MY DRIVEWAY TO BE FREE OF SNOW ALL THE TIME?
If we lived in Camelot, it might snow from Midnight to 3:00 AM. each night. However, in Tahoe Donner it snows whenever storms dictate and often for many consecutive hours.

SnowTech guarantees one driveway clearing per 24-hour period. If it snows 3"-4" after we have cleared your driveway, SnowTech will clear your driveway again the following day. Sun exposure, or lack of it, will help determine if residual snow and ice tend to melt or build up throughout the winter.

We suggest that you consider purchasing a snowblower in addition to contracting with a snow removal service if you want the security of knowing that you can get into and out of your house at any given time.  
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SHOULD I WAIT FOR MY DRIVEWAY TO BE CLEARED BEFORE TRYING TO GET OUT? WILL DRIVING OVER THE SNOW TURN IT TO ICE?
Waiting is not necessary. Driving over the snow doesn’t create true ice, but merely packs the snow. SnowTech’s snowblowers are fitted with a low-impact cutting edge designed to peel up packed snow. Feel free to drive over any snow in your driveway.  
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WHAT IF I HAVE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT OR A PLANE TO CATCH?
SnowTech’s job is to provide you with the most exceptional customer service possible. In emergency situations we will do all we can to help you meet your commitments. But please remember that we are providing snow removal for approximately 90 additional homeowners on your route. Please give us a call two hours prior to the time you need to be out and we will do all we can to accommodate your need.

If your driveway has been cleared and you are restricted from exiting by a Town of Truckee berm, we ask that you use a shovel or snowblower to clear a path for your exit. We will be by shortly to clear the balance of the berm.  
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DO I NEED TO CALL YOU BEFORE I COME UP?
Though it’s always nice to hear from the homeowners that we serve, it is not necessary to call ahead of time. SnowTech clears all of its driveways each time it snows, whether the home is occupied or not.  
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HOW MANY DRIVEWAY CLEARINGS DO I GET FOR MY SEASONAL FEE?
Homeowners receive unlimited driveway clearings from the first snowfall of the year until April 30th.  
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HOW SOON SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR SNOW REMOVAL?
Truthfully, your early commitment is greatly appreciated. We don’t ask for a penny until October 1 so there is no financial outlay. However, your early commitment allows us to begin estimating equipment, supplies and personnel for the upcoming winter season.  
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I SELL MY HOUSE DURING THE WINTER SEASON?
If you choose to sell your house mid-winter, we ask that you prorate the snow removal fee within escrow (as you do with homeowner’s dues, taxes, etc.). If this is not possible, we will gladly prorate your fee and return the unused portion.  
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DOES SNOWTECH SHOVEL WALKWAYS, ROOFS, DECKS AND PROPANE TANKS?
SnowTech concentrates its efforts exclusively on driveway snow removal, however we would be happy to provide you with the names of reliable individuals who provide those services.  
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HOW MUCH INSURANCE DO YOU CARRY?
We carry a $2,000,000 liability policy. If requested, we can provide you with a copy of our insurance policy.  
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DO YOU HAVE YOUR CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE?
Yes, SnowTech has its General Building Contractor License # 825998  
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CAN LIGHTWEIGHT, COMMERCIAL SNOWBLOWERS HANDLE TAHOE DONNER® SNOW CONDITIONS?
Yes. For years, snowblower-based snow removal companies have operated effectively throughout Truckee-Tahoe communities, including Donner Summit, Talmont (Tahoe’s West Shore), Northstar-at-Tahoe and Incline Village.

While the snowfall in Tahoe Donner is significant, both Talmont and Donner Summit receive more snow than Tahoe Donner. In each of these two communities, snowblower-based snow removal companies have prospered and provided superior and faster snow removal than heavy equipment-based snow removal companies.

Tahoe Donner’s heavy, wet snowfall and steep, technical driveways make it probably the most difficult environment for snow removal in the country. However, we found our lightweight tractors to be incredibly maneuverable and effective snowfighting machines. And if they could handle this year’s wet snow, they can handle any snow conditions.  
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WHY DID SNOWTECH CHOOSE HOLDERS VS OTHER TRACTORS?
We researched many different snowblower-based tractors, including tractors from Trackless, Bobcat, New Holland, Boschung and others. Based on our research, tractor demonstrations, and operator testimonials, we concluded that the Holder C 9700 is the most suitable and reliable tractor for Tahoe Donner snow conditions.

Holder’s engineering is light-years ahead of any other snowblower-based tractor. It has about fifteen major technological advantages that the competition lacks, including load sensing, hydraulic accumulator, a reliable Deutz turbocharged engine, 6:1 planetary gears, and multi-disc wedge brakes.

The Holder’s weight-to-horsepower ratio is optimal for Tahoe Donner’s winter conditions. It has enough weight and muscle behind it to cut through frozen berms and vehicle-packed snow. Yet it weighs only 6,500 pounds, or about 1/4 the weight of the 25,000 pound John Deere 544 loader, the tractor most commonly used in the past for driveway snow removal in Tahoe Donner.   
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DO YOU HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN?
Yes. If you chose, you may pay your annual fee in three installments on October 1, November 1 and December 1. Please see your snow removal agreement for the payment schedule

If you choose to pay by check with our payment program, please mail payments along with the appropriate payment coupon found on SnowTech’s snow removal contract. Please write your Tahoe Donner street address on each check.

If you select to pay by credit card with our payment program, SnowTech will charge your credit card in early October, early November and early December.  
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DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
Yes. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.  
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WHAT ARE SNOWTECH'S WINTER OFFICE HOURS?
SnowTech’s administrative office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Our administrative hours are not related to the operation of our equipment. Our equipment operations are dictated by the weather and will vary from storm to storm.

We are available by appointment on weekends. Please call us at (800) 452-3060 or (530) 582-0300 to schedule an appointment on Saturday or Sunday.
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