When scheduling winter ice removal, coordinating custodial teams and ensuring consistent service quality, managing several vendors often leads to inefficiency, miscommunication and added costs. Business owners often wonder if they can combine snow removal and janitorial services under one provider, and they can.
Doing so can create measurable advantages in efficiency, cost control and operational continuity. Combining these functions under a single company simplifies contractor management, strengthens accountability and helps ensure the interior and exterior of a facility are cared for to the same standards.
The strategic advantage of a single-source provider
Combining services improves efficiency and performance. Modern facility management increasingly relies on streamlined operations that avoid downtime at all costs. Partnering with a single entity for winter maintenance and cleaning support makes sense for efficiency, billing and communication:
- Streamlined communication and accountability: With a single management organization, decision-makers benefit from having one point of contact, along with a unified contract and invoice for all services. This reduces administrative work, eliminates confusion between vendors, and ensures all aspects of maintenance align with corporate standards and scheduling.
- Consistent quality control: A unified service partner holds complete responsibility for interior and exterior conditions. From spotless lobbies to safer parking lots, consistency becomes part of the service structure, not a coincidence. This approach also helps facilities meet OSHA requirements by ensuring slip-free surfaces through timely removal of ice, sleet and salt or by applying deicer immediately after a storm.
- Cost efficiency through bundled services: Bundling services often results in volume-based pricing, leading to savings. Fewer overlapping schedules and visits also mean lower operational costs and predictable budgeting.
- Coordinated seasonal readiness: Enterprises offering maintenance and weather management programs can coordinate teams to implement preventive measures such as pre-storm treatment of walkways and predictive weather modeling. They can pretreat floors before a storm and handle post-storm cleanup immediately after, minimizing downtime and risk.
Methodology for choosing winter maintenance and janitorial services
Evidence-based reviews have identified top companies that offer both winter maintenance and cleaning services under a single care plan. Considerations included:
- Service integration: Each’s portfolio must include interior and exterior maintenance.
- National and regional reach: Providers were selected based on their ability to serve clients across multiple locations.
- Technology adoption: Preference was given to those using platforms for reporting, scheduling and performance tracking.
- Industry reputation: Each one demonstrates consistent client satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and proven experience across key industries such as health care, retail, education and manufacturing.
5 top providers that combine snow removal and janitorial services
Several facility management entities combine winter weather services and janitorial operations through integrated service models that handle indoor cleaning and outdoor maintenance. They exemplify the industry’s best practices by combining national coverage, advanced technology and proven reliability to streamline operations for diverse clients.
1. The facilities group
The Facilities Group offers comprehensive, scalable facility management with a local touch. It delivers an integrated approach that eliminates the need for multiple vendors. Clients gain scale and personalization from a national partner with localized execution. The hybrid workforce comprises self-performing employees and independent service providers, which ensures the brand has flexibility without sacrificing control.
Proactive inspections, data analytics and field management processes ensure consistent quality and measurable cleanup outcomes. For businesses looking to consolidate services under one trusted network, The Facilities Group’s model sets the standard for national reach combined with responsive local management.
Snow removal operations deploy dedicated winter crews equipped with plows, deicing materials and state-of-the-art equipment to clear parking lots and entryways. The management approach enables pre-storm logistics like treating pedestrian zones and post-storm cleanup of salt and slush to protect interiors and floors.
Key features
- National reach, local expertise: Operates across all 50 states through a “house of brands” model, integrating local specialists under one national framework
- Comprehensive service suite: Includes cleaning, floor care, ice removal, landscaping and facility maintenance
- Technology-driven efficiency: Real-time dashboards and reporting tools offer full visibility into service performance and cost tracking
- Customized solutions: Tailored programs for industries such as health care, aviation, education and retail
2. ABM
ABM offers legacy expertise with an expansive service network. It is one of the oldest and most established players in the facility management industry. The business structure enables clients to consolidate a wide range of maintenance services through a single point of contact.
Additionally, its scale ensures reliability, while the engineering expertise supports complex environments such as airports, hospitals and high-traffic commercial buildings. The tried-and-tested approach of cleaning programs that use day-porters, overnight crews and asset-preservation services quickly tackles specialty operations like snow and ice management.
ABM deals with exterior maintenance that includes weather response, lawn care and grounds support. Both operations flow through a single-contact model for easy scheduling and billing. It also ensures familiar faces are on-site to handle storm damage and cleanup, even when specialty tasks are outsourced.
Key features
- Extensive experience: Serves more than half of the Fortune 500 companies
- Comprehensive facility management: Offers custodial, engineering, HVAC, electrical, landscaping and ice removal capabilities
- Performance optimization: Uses “ABM Performance Solutions” to integrate offerings into a single contract
- Sustainable initiatives: Focused on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility
3. KBS
KBS offers technology-led operations and scalable solutions in facility maintenance. It is the largest privately held facility services company in North America and is recognized for using data to drive operational efficiency.
The proprietary technology platform offers clients transparency into every task with inspection reports, photographic evidence and geotagging. This feature makes it an ideal partner for enterprises that rely on measurable outcomes and digital integration.
Custodial work begins with floor plan assessments and workflow designs that optimize efficiency, including recommended equipment requirements and cleaning frequencies and times. For storm response and ice, KBS provides a strong network of field crews, a 24/7 call center, SnowMap weather and tracking technology, and real-time updates on plowing, hauling and ice treatment operations. Although cleaning and snow teams are distinct disciplines, both report into KBS’s unified platform, which allows clients to monitor interior and exterior service delivery from a single dashboard.
Key features
- KBSForceTM technology platform: Provides real-time reporting, analytics and performance tracking
- Extensive coverage: Serves more than 2 billion square feet across North America daily
- Industry-specific solutions: Works with retail, logistics, health care and commercial clients
- Dedicated exterior maintenance: Offers winter response management, power sweeping and landscaping
4. UG2
UG2 delivers client-focused excellence through strong operational partnerships that foster relationships founded on consistent service delivery. The high retention rate underscores its commitment to long-term partnerships. Its strength lies in its ability to adapt quickly to operational changes and emergencies, offering the personalized service of a regional leader with national standards of excellence.
Grounds operations and maintenance include winter weather services. While janitorial crews focus on enhanced cleaning at entry points, exterior teams manage plowing, sanding, storm cleanup and ice removal with fleet coordination.
UG2 emphasizes alignment of indoor cleaning and exterior readiness by mobilizing custodial teams for spike cleaning after snow-melts and to eliminate salt tracking. Its exterior crews handle walkways and lot clearances simultaneously.
Key features
- Partnership approach: Acts as an extension of each client’s internal team
- High retention rate: Strong client loyalty based on service quality and responsiveness
- Comprehensive offerings: Includes cleaning, maintenance, landscaping, snow removal and emergency response
- 24/7 availability: Mobile maintenance fleets provide round-the-clock support
5. City wide facility solutions
City Wide Facility Solutions operates a vendor model that simplifies maintenance through a single contact, focusing on management services. The company coordinates over 20 building maintenance programs through a network of contractors, providing flexibility for clients who prefer a single point of coordination. This structure works well for leaders who value local responsiveness and variety in one contract.
As a vendor management service, it coordinates custodial functions and winter maintenance crews through a network of contractors, providing a single point of contact for clients. Inside cleaning includes day-porters, detail cleaning and supply management.
Exterior cleanup includes pre-season planning with lot inspections, matting programs and deicing strategies, while active plowing and shoveling happen during storms. City Wide Facility Solutions oversees scheduling, invoicing and cohesive performance oversight even though the work crews are subcontracted specialists.
Key features
- One contact, multiple capabilities: Acts as a management business overseeing vetted operators
- Customizable service scopes: Each client receives a tailored program to their needs
- Extensive network: Partners with local professionals for specialized services, including cleaning and snow removal
- Time-saving model: Reduces the burden of vendor vetting and oversight
Comparing key features at a glance
With so many facility management companies offering integrated capabilities, it helps to see how they differ in scope, structure and specialization. Consider each’s key features, making it easier to compare strengths and find the best operational fit.
What to consider when choosing an integrated service
Before signing a contract, decision-makers should evaluate these key factors of winter weather management and janitorial services under one provider:
- Service-level agreements (SLAs): Ensure the team offers measurable performance indicators, including timelines for snow removal and standards for custodial work. SLAs should clearly outline response times, safety compliance and quality inspections.
- Contract flexibility: Look for terms that can adapt as a business grows or its seasonal needs shift. A scalable contract enables the client to adjust the level of support without incurring a penalty.
- Technology and reporting tools: Select partners that offer digital dashboards, real-time status updates and transparent cost tracking. Data-driven management provides assurances that services are completed efficiently.
- Workforce vetting and training: Determine whether the brand utilizes in-house employees, subcontractors or both, and how they’re vetted. Consistent safety and quality depend on proper training and oversight.
- Sustainability and compliance: Many contractors now use green cleaning methods and eco-conscious deicing materials in accordance with legislation. Inquire about compliance with environmental and safety regulations to ensure the facility adheres to best practices.
FAQ
Q: Can you combine snow removal and janitorial services effectively?
A: Yes. Leading facility management providers specialize in integrated service delivery, ensuring interior and exterior maintenance receive equal attention. They use centralized systems, dedicated teams and quality assurance protocols to maintain performance standards across all service types.
Q: What are the main benefits of combining these services under one contract?
A: Businesses gain efficiency, cost savings and consistent quality. A single contract simplifies vendor communication, reduces administrative overhead and ensures a unified maintenance strategy, from clean lobbies to safe parking lots.
Q: Is combining services more cost-effective than hiring separate vendors?
A: In most cases, yes. Bundling programs typically results in better pricing due to volume discounts, fewer redundant site visits and simplified billing. It also provides more predictable budgeting and fewer surprise costs over time.
Q: How can I evaluate whether a custodial company is qualified to manage both services?
A: Ask about their national and regional coverage, technology platforms and quality assurance systems. Review their client industries and request references. Those with strong digital reporting and proven performance in similar facilities are best positioned to deliver reliable results.
Q: Do combined services also offer other maintenance solutions?
A: Often, yes. Many integrated facility professionals also provide landscaping, HVAC maintenance, floor care, waste management and emergency response. Partnering with a full-service entity helps create a seamless, scalable approach to facility upkeep throughout the year.
Conclusion
Can you combine snow removal and janitorial services under one provider? Absolutely. Those that consolidate facility maintenance often gain improved communication, faster response times, predictable costs and more consistent outcomes.
The best companies demonstrate how integrated solutions can improve facility operations. Hybrid models, nationwide presence and technology-backed service delivery provide a quality partnership for organizations seeking simplified cleaning and winter weather management. By evaluating factors like scope, technology and workforce quality, business owners can identify the right partner to keep properties pristine and safe year-round, inside and out.
More must-read stories from Enterprise League:
- Learn essential tips for choosing the right business location for your services.
- Discover how customer retention strategies can boost your service business profitability.
- Find out why owning multiple businesses might be your next strategic move.
- Understand the benefits of business process automation for service providers.
- Master the art of managing a fleet of vehicles for your operations.
