How Commercial Snow Quotes Are Measured From Aerial Imagery

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Why measurement matters

Commercial snow pricing depends on the size of the job. At Thames Valley Snow, commercial sites are priced per site from the paved area, the length of walkways and the opening time. If the area or walkway length is guessed rather than measured, the price is a guess too. A guessed price is either too high, so the owner overpays, or too low, so the contractor is tempted to cut corners later in the season.

What can be measured from maps and imagery

City of London maps and aerial imagery show the outline of a property, its buildings and its paved surfaces. From those, a contractor can measure:

• The total paved area of parking lots and drive lanes
• The length of sidewalks and walkways that need hand clearing
• The number and location of entrances
• Islands, medians and landscaped areas that affect plow routes
• Open areas that might work for snow piles

This makes it possible to prepare a written quote quickly, usually within 2 business days, without waiting to book a site visit.

What imagery cannot show

Aerial images are a snapshot. They may be a few years old and cannot show everything that matters in winter. They will not reliably tell a contractor about:

• Recent changes, such as a new addition, fence or reconfigured lot
• Which entrances are used most and which must be ready first
• Ramps, steps and handrails at each door
• Drains and catch basins hidden under trees or vehicles
• Speed bumps, low spots or problem areas that ice up

This is where the owner or property manager adds the details that make the quote accurate.

What to send with your request

When you request a quote, include the address, your opening time, any parts of the property that are not included, and a note about anything unusual. A simple marked-up screenshot showing entrances, ramps and preferred pile locations helps a lot. If the site has changed recently, say so. The more specific you are, the closer the measured quote will be to the real job.

From measurement to contract

Once the site is measured and the scope agreed, the result should be a written contract that describes the areas, the timing, the pricing structure and the records you will receive. Before the season, a walkthrough or check of markers and pile areas confirms the plan on the ground. Our how it works page describes each step, from measurement to the first visit.

Why this helps owners as well as contractors

Measuring from maps and imagery is not only faster for the contractor. It gives the owner a clear basis for the price. When a quote is built from a measured paved area and a measured walkway length, you can ask how the number was reached and get a real answer. If you later add a section of parking or a new entrance, the change in scope is easy to see and price.

It also makes comparison simpler. If two contractors measured the same site and came up with very different areas, that is a useful question to ask before signing. And for property managers with several sites, measured quotes can be prepared for the whole portfolio at once, without scheduling a separate visit to every property in the middle of the busy fall season.

Get a written quote for your site

Send us your address and opening time and we will measure your site from City of London maps and aerial imagery and prepare a written quote. Request a measured price through our quote form, or call or text (548) 888-8702. A written quote usually comes back within 2 business days.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.