Why snow makes moving day harder
Moving means dozens of trips between the truck and the door, often carrying heavy boxes that block your view of your feet. Packed snow on a walkway, a thin glaze of ice on the steps or a ridge of slush at the end of the driveway is enough to cause a fall or a dropped load.
Two places to plan for: the old home and the new one
It is easy to think only about the new house, but the truck is loaded at the old one first. Both ends of the move need a clear driveway, a clear walkway and safe steps. If you are leaving a rental or an apartment, ask the landlord or property manager how and when the parking lot and entrances are cleared.
At the new home, you may not know much about the property yet. Ask the seller or the previous tenant where the driveway edges are, whether there are steps or lights hidden under the snow, and where snow is usually piled.
Where will the truck park?
- Move your own cars out of the way the night before, ideally somewhere that will not block a snow clearing visit. Our guide on where to park during a snowstorm explains why this matters.
- If the truck will park on the street, check the City of London's on-street parking rules before you book. Winter parking rules can be different, and snow on the road narrows the space.
- Watch for the City windrow. When the City plows the road, it leaves a ridge of heavy snow across the end of the driveway, and it can arrive after your driveway has been cleared. Our guide what is a City windrow? covers who clears it.
Make a safe path from the truck to the door
The path from the truck to the front door is where most of the carrying happens, so it deserves the most attention. Clear the walkway the full width, not just a narrow strip, so two people carrying a couch have room. Clear every step, including the landing at the top.
Have a bag of de-icer or traction sand ready by the door. If you have pets moving with you, a pet-safe product is a good choice; our guide what ice melt products are safe for pets and plants explains the options.
Watch the forecast in the days before
Check the forecast a few days ahead and again the night before. Freezing rain is the bigger danger for a move, because it can coat steps and ramps in clear ice. Our guide on tracking storm timing shows what to look for.
A simple moving-day checklist
- Driveway cleared at both homes, with room for the truck
- Walkway cleared full width, and every step and landing cleared
- De-icer or sand by the door, and a mat inside
- Cars moved out of the way the night before
- Furnace vents and the gas meter clear of snow at the new home (see keeping furnace vents and gas meters clear)
Snow clearing for moving day and after
If you just need help around the move, per-visit snow removal lets you pay only for the visits you use. Text us your address and moving date when you get in touch. If you are staying for the winter, it is worth sorting out a plan for the rest of the season once the keys are in your hand, so you are not shovelling every storm while you unpack.
How a seasonal plan helps
Once you have moved in, a seasonal plan takes the driveway off your list. A seasonal snow removal plan clears your driveway automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. In long storms we come back for return visits, the City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared, and you get a timestamped photo after every visit.
Prices (all plus HST):
- Single or 1.5-car driveway: $650 to $725 for the season
- Double driveway: $815
- 3-car, paver or stamped driveway: $1,050
- Walkway and steps: from $150, or $175 for a walk plus up to 6 steps; sidewalk $90
- Seasonal salt, including freezing rain and refreeze visits: $175
- Pet-safe de-icer: $120
- Priority early-morning clearing: $125
- Season extension from November 1 to April 15: add $95
Prefer to pay only when you need it? Per-visit snow removal is $70 to $85 a visit. Seasonal plans take a 30% deposit with the balance before December 1, and seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, are registered with WSIB and are LPMA members.
Get a quote
Every quote is measured from City of London maps, and residential quotes come back within 1 business day. Ask for a free quote or call or text (548) 639-2069.
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