Snow Removal Contract Checklist: 8 Things to Check

A snow removal agreement is mostly a list of promises about things you can’t see yet — future storms, future crew schedules. The better ones are clear about the details in advance so there’s nothing to argue over at 7 a.m. in January. Here’s what to check before you sign anything, from ours or anyone else’s.

1. What triggers a visit

How many centimetres of snow does it take for the crew to come? A written number protects both sides. Maple’s trigger is 3 cm. Below that, we don’t make a visit; above it, we do. If the agreement says “as needed” and nothing else, ask what that means.

2. When the crew actually comes

Some people assume the crew shows up the moment the first flakes land. In practice, clearing while snow is still falling usually means going back again afterwards. We clear once the storm has ended, and twice on a long, heavy storm. Be wary of a firm guarantee of an exact arrival time — storms and traffic don’t follow a schedule, and no honest operator controls them.

3. Exactly what gets cleared

“Driveway” can mean different things. Check whether the price includes:

• the driveway
• the walkway to the front door
• the steps
• the ridge of heavy snow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway (the “windrow”)

On our plans, all of these are covered. Some quotes cover the driveway alone and charge extra for the rest.

4. How salt is handled

Is salt included? Every visit, certain days, or never? What happens on days with ice but no snow? Our Snow + Salt plan salts every time we clear; our Full Service plan also salts on light-dusting days and freezing rain, even with no snow. Melt-and-refreeze ice isn’t covered by any plan we offer, because it comes and goes outside any storm — we say so up front.

5. What the flat price actually covers

If it’s a flat seasonal price, is there a limit? Ours is covered up to 156 cm of snowfall for the season, an amount that is only exceeded in roughly one winter in nine. Whatever the number is, it should be in writing, along with what happens above it.

6. How you pay

Up front, monthly, or per visit? Can you join mid-season, and is the price prorated? We offer the season up front or in five equal monthly payments from November to March, and mid-season sign-ups are prorated.

7. What equipment will be on your property

Plow trucks are designed for parking lots. On a residential driveway they can chew up lawn edges, interlock and the edge of asphalt. We use two-stage snow blowers and shovels only. Ask what the crew will use and what happens if something gets damaged.

8. How you reach someone

Who do you call or text when you have a question, and how soon do they answer? A snow contractor you can’t reach in a storm isn’t much use.

A quick way to compare

Put the answers for each quote side by side. If one is much cheaper, find out which of the eight items it’s quietly leaving out — our post on what snow removal costs in Durham goes through where the difference usually hides.

Questions about how our plans work? Request a free quote or read the details on our snow removal page.

Frequently Asked

How much snow should trigger a visit?

Ask for a specific number. Maple’s trigger is 3 cm. A vague “when it needs it” leaves you guessing and leaves room for disagreement later.

Will the crew come right when the snow starts?

Be wary of anyone who promises an exact time. Clearing while it’s still falling often means doing the job twice. Maple clears once the storm has ended, and twice on a long, heavy storm.

What happens if the winter is much snowier than normal?

Look for a stated season amount. Maple’s flat price is covered up to 156 cm of snowfall; heavier winters than that are handled as the agreement describes.