Late fall in the Midwest signals to every contractor worth their salt that colder temps, limited daylight hours, early snow and whipping winds are about to challenge their building process. These changing conditions should also impact the equipment and materials you rent or stock up on so you’re fully prepared for whatever project comes your way.

Which is why proactive winterization for your company should be prioritized – to position yourself both as a savvy builder and a partner who stays on top of clients’ needs.

Late-Fall Timeline: What To Do Now

Winter won’t wait and neither should you. Follow three planning stages to cover all your bases:

1. Prepare now (November to mid-December): Order key supplies and reserve rental equipment. Schedule servicing of machines ahead of time.
2. Ongoing monitoring: Track weather forecasts, check material storage conditions, and get ready to melt ice in staging areas.
3. Lock-In before end of year: Finalize equipment shutdown plans for any idle units, confirm cover plans for materials, and ensure lighting, heating and power setups are ready for winter operation.

You might start by checking out last year’s supplies. What conditions are your shovels, skid steers, snow pushers and other attachments in? Don’t wait till the last minute to figure out you need new ones.

Protect Your Workers with Winter Gear & Winterizing Products

Crews can empower themselves by figuring out how they will handle different possible scenarios. You’ll need to prepare for unexpected starts, early-morning icy surfaces, and temps that fluctuate throughout the day. Line up the proper protective gear for your crews – making sure you know what they already have – including anything that will keep your sites safe and functional.

These seasonal items will help:

Cold weather gloves: Make sure everyone has Insulated, water-resistant gloves with built-in grips and decent dexterity. Look for thermal linings and weather resistance when shopping.

Heaters and thawing equipment: Line up reliable hydronic surface heaters for concrete curing, to thaw surfaces and to prevent frost delays. Talk to a pro for helpful suggestions.

Ice-melting products: A single slip-and-fall can really delay a project, so be ready to tackle hazards on all pathways and work zones. A fast-working product like ECOMELT® should always be on hand.

Other Equipment Rental Considerations Before January

Find out where you can source as many cold-weather items as possible. Get your light towers ready for those shorter days and darker afternoons. Small steps like using cold-weather lubricants and storing equipment under reinforced tarps can help prevent costly downtime.

Because winter often brings unpredictable delays, it’s smart to plan flexible rental terms and coordinate preventive maintenance around severe weather. Partnering with a full-service provider instead of a patchwork of companies lets you manage both heavy-equipment rentals and essential product purchases from one source, keeping your jobsite running efficiently all season long.

Not everything needs to be weather-related. Heavy equipment rentals like boom lifts, cranes and earth-moving machines may be key to meeting deadlines in the coming months, too.

Why Carry or Rent Illinois-Based Supplies?

It saves time when you know the guy who can handle all your requests under one roof. For quick access to all your construction needs, skip the middlesman. Have 365 Equipment & Supply just outside of Chicago coordinate your gear and rentals all at once.

Stocking up now means you’re prepared when the first freeze hits. You may want extra lighting, extension cords and other power supplies – not just due to shorter days, but to handle heaters and other equipment. To stay powered throughout the winter, check out the “Electrical Supplies” category in our online catalogue before visiting our Des Plaines location in person.

Call 365 Equipment & Supply for High-Quality Building Materials

Want a trusted, local partner with reliable supplies at reasonable prices? Have 365 Equipment & Supply hook you up with the right equipment and rental strategy for your needs. We’ll help make sure your hard work stays protected on every site.

Call (847) 756-3807 to discuss how we can keep your projects running smoothly this fall and winter. Reach out online with any questions.