Per-Push vs. Seasonal Snow Removal Pricing Explained

3 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

When homeowners start comparing snow removal quotes, the first thing that trips them up is the pricing structure itself. Two companies can quote wildly different numbers not because one is more expensive, but because they're pricing completely different things. Understanding the difference between per-push and seasonal pricing is the first step to actually comparing offers fairly.

Per-push pricing means you pay a set fee every time a crew comes out to clear your driveway. If it snows five times in a month, you get billed five times. This model works well in a light winter, since you're only paying for service you actually use. The downside is unpredictability. A heavy winter with frequent storms can end up costing more than a flat seasonal rate would have, and the bills come at unpredictable times.

Seasonal pricing bundles the entire winter into one flat rate, usually paid upfront or split into a few installments. The company takes on the weather risk instead of you. Whether London gets a mild winter with ten storms or a brutal one with twenty five, your price stays the same. This predictability is exactly why most homeowners who dislike surprises tend to prefer seasonal contracts.

The right choice often comes down to risk tolerance and how London's winters have trended recently. A homeowner on a tight monthly budget might prefer knowing the exact cost every November. Someone who doesn't mind a bit of variance and wants to avoid overpaying in a quiet winter might lean toward per-push instead.

Thames Valley Snow offers both pricing models and walks every new customer through recent winter patterns in the London area to help them pick the one that fits. Getting this decision right at the start of the season avoids regret later, whether that's overpaying for a mild winter or getting hit with unexpected bills during a rough one.

Thames Valley Snow prices side by side

Per visit: $70–$85 plus HST depending on driveway size, invoiced after each visit and due in 7 days. Seasonal: $650–$725 plus HST for a single or 1.5-car driveway, $815 for a double, and $1,050 for a 3-car or decorative surface, covering every snowfall of 5 cm or more from December 1 to March 31.

Which works out cheaper

Divide the seasonal price by the per-visit price to find your break-even. For a single driveway that is roughly 8 to 10 visits. London usually sees more qualifying snowfalls than that in a typical winter, but no one can promise how a given season will go.

The other differences

Seasonal clients are prioritized on the route, get return visits in long storms at no extra cost, and have a fixed budget. Per-visit suits people who are away part of the winter or only need help now and then.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from per-visit to seasonal mid-winter?

Ask the team. It depends on route space at the time.

Are discounts available?

Seniors, nurses, firefighters, police, paramedics, teachers and other service workers get 5% off seasonal contracts.

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 $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $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.