Four seasons, one partnership — consistent care that keeps your properties looking their best year-round.
Many Facility Managers Ask the Same Question:
Should we sign seasonal agreements or commit to year-round contracts?
At first glance, seasonal contracts seem like the flexible, cost-smart option. You can shop around each year, adjust to budgets, and keep control. But in reality, year-round agreements often deliver greater savings, fewer surprises, and stronger partnerships — especially for multi-site portfolios where consistency and communication matter most.
The Case for Seasonal Agreements
Seasonal agreements give facilities short-term flexibility. You can hire for snow removal in winter and landscaping in spring or summer, often without long commitments.
Advantages:
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Adjust budgets seasonally or year to year
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Test new vendors or regional providers
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Useful for unpredictable weather zones
Disadvantages:
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Pricing spikes when demand surges (especially for snow)
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Crews may not be familiar with your sites
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Administrative burden managing multiple contracts and renewals
Example: A retailer who rebids snow removal every winter may pay 10–15% more than clients with multi-year coverage, due to labor shortages and equipment availability.
The Case for Year-Round Contracts
A year-round agreement provides stability — in both service and spend. You get predictable costs, consistent crews, and proactive care that prevents emergencies later.
Advantages:
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Budget predictability: Fixed pricing across all seasons
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Priority service: Your sites are top of the route list when storms hit
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One vendor, one certificate, one contact: Simplifies compliance and management
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Preventive savings: Routine off-season site checks reduce damage and rework
But the real difference goes deeper than pricing.
Why Year-Round Contracts Build True Partnerships
When a vendor works your sites month after month — not just in one season — they begin to understand your properties as well as your own team does.
That consistency turns a contract into a partnership:
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Shared accountability: Vendors are invested in long-term outcomes, not one-off invoices.
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Better communication: Year-round contact creates real relationships with your property teams.
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Proactive solutions: Issues spotted in summer landscaping (like drainage or grading) can be fixed before snow season — saving time, cost, and liability.
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Stronger brand protection: A partner who understands your expectations year-round helps maintain consistent curb appeal and safety standards across every location.
At SGM, many of our longest client relationships started as seasonal contracts — but evolved into year-round partnerships once both sides saw the value of continuous care and communication.
Total Cost of Ownership: What Really Adds Up
| Contract Type | Flexibility | Predictability | Cost Over Time | Vendor Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal | High | Low | Higher | Transactional |
| Year-Round | Moderate | High | Lower | Partnership |
Seasonal flexibility feels appealing up front — but unpredictable weather, fuel surcharges, and administrative labor all drive up your true cost of ownership. Year-round contracts flatten those spikes and reward consistency and collaboration.
When a Hybrid Model Works Best
Some properties — especially in mild climates — see benefits from a hybrid structure:
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Year-round for landscaping and site inspections
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Seasonal for snow, only in higher-risk regions
SGM tailors each plan to your risk profile, regional needs, and service expectations.
SGM’s Approach: One Source, Total Coverage
At Strategic Grounds Management, we design contracts around outcomes, not months. Our year-round clients enjoy consistent crews, proactive communication, and peace of mind that every site is covered — rain, snow, or shine.