Booking snow removal the right way
The time to hire a plow contractor is October, not the morning after fourteen inches — good operators fill their routes before the first storm and take on mid-season customers only when routes have room. Residential service is sold two ways: per-push (commonly $30–$75 per visit for a typical driveway) or a seasonal contract that covers every storm for a flat rate, which most contractors in snowy markets prefer because it keeps routes predictable. Ask what snowfall depth triggers a visit, whether walkways and salt are included, and where the snow gets stacked.
Commercial work — parking lots, HOAs, storefront sidewalks — runs on service-level agreements with trigger depths, liability coverage, and de-icing programs; SIMA-affiliated contractors are a good signal there. In heavy-snow regions, roof snow removal and ice-dam steaming are their own specialty and worth lining up before February.
How much does driveway plowing cost?
Per-push rates for a standard two-car driveway commonly run $30–$75 depending on market and snowfall depth, with seasonal contracts often landing in the $300–$700 range for unlimited visits. Long rural driveways and tight urban parking cost more.
Per-push or seasonal contract?
Seasonal contracts win in reliably snowy climates — one price, service every storm, no phone tag. Per-push suits light-snow regions where a season might bring three plowable events. Either way, get the trigger depth in writing.
When should roof snow come off?
After heavy accumulations — commonly more than a foot of dense snow — or at the first sign of ice damming at the eaves. Roof raking from the ground is a fair DIY job on single stories; anything requiring a ladder or steam is professional work.