How Snow Removal Deposits and Payments Work

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Why companies ask for a deposit

Snow removal has to be planned long before the first flake falls. Routes are built around a list of confirmed properties, crews are scheduled, and equipment, fuel and salt are arranged for the whole season. A deposit tells the company your property is definitely on the list, and it tells you that your spot is reserved. Without deposits, a company cannot plan routes with confidence, and customers who decide late may find routes already full.

For our seasonal plans the deposit is 30% of the seasonal price.

When the balance is due

The remaining balance is due before December 1, which is when the seasonal coverage begins. Paying before the season means there are no bills arriving mid-winter, no per-storm charges and nothing to track when it snows. Once you are paid up, clearing simply happens automatically at every snowfall of 5 cm or more until March 31.

Understanding HST on your quote

Our listed prices are before HST, the harmonized sales tax charged in Ontario. When you compare quotes from different sources, check whether each one includes tax. A price that looks lower may simply exclude HST while another includes it. Your written quote shows the price, the tax and the total, so you know exactly what the deposit and balance will be.

Example of how it adds up

Here is how the numbers work for a double driveway at $815 plus HST:

• A 30% deposit reserves your spot on the route.
• The remaining 70% is paid before December 1.
• Add-ons such as seasonal salt ($175), pet-safe de-icer ($120), priority early-morning clearing ($125) or a season extension ($95) are added to the same total before the split.
• Seniors and front-line workers receive 5% off the seasonal price.

Per-visit service works differently: there is no seasonal deposit, and each visit is $70 to $85 plus HST.

Questions to ask about any snow contract

Whoever you hire, ask what the deposit covers, when the balance is due, what triggers a visit, whether return visits in long storms are included, whether the City windrow is cleared and whether salting is separate. Ask for proof of liability insurance and WSIB registration too. A clear written agreement now saves confusion in the middle of a storm.

How our seasonal service handles it

Our seasonal plans run from December 1 to March 31. Clearing is automatic every time 5 cm or more falls, so you never need to call or book a visit. In long storms we come back for return visits, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared as part of the service. Before the season starts we mark your edges, steps and drains so they can be found under snow. After every visit you get a timestamped photo. We are fully insured with $2,000,000 in liability coverage and registered with WSIB. Seasonal salting is available for $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, and seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. Prices are fixed for the season: single or 1.5-car driveways are $650 to $725, doubles are $815, and three-car, paver or stamped driveways are $1,050, all plus HST. We measure your property from City of London maps and aerial imagery and send a fixed quote within one business day. A 30% deposit reserves your spot, with the balance due before December 1.

Want this handled for you this winter? Request a free quote and we will measure your property and send a fixed price within one business day, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about our snow removal prices and FAQ.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps from $150 (walk plus up to 6 steps $175), salting $175 (including freezing rain and refreeze visits), priority early-morning clearing $125, pet-safe de-icer $120, a season extension from Nov 1 to Apr 15 for $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.