Plowing or Snowblowing: What's Best for a Small Lot?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

For a small driveway or lot in London, Ontario, the choice between plowing and snowblowing often comes down to layout, snow volume, and where the snow can actually go.

Plowing works well on paved, open areas where there's room to push snow to the side without piling it against a structure or blocking a walkway. It's fast and efficient for larger accumulations, but a plow blade needs enough clearance to maneuver, which can be tight on a small lot with parked cars or landscaping close by.

Snowblowing gives more control in tight spaces since the snow gets thrown to a specific spot rather than pushed in a wide path. This makes it a better fit for narrow walkways, small courtyards, or driveways with obstacles like planters or fencing close to the edge.

For many small residential properties, a combination works best: a plow or truck-mounted blade for the main driveway surface, and a blower or shovel for tight corners and walkways the plow can't reach cleanly.

Where will the snow go?

On small lots, snow storage is the real limit. By February, banks on each side of a narrow driveway can be taller than a car, and a plow blade needs somewhere to push. A blower can throw snow over a bank onto the lawn, which helps late in the season. Avoid piling snow where it melts back across the driveway or onto the walkway, because that meltwater refreezes overnight. Marking drains before the season helps keep a path for melt.

The City windrow changes the math

The heaviest snow on a small driveway is often not the snowfall itself but the windrow the City plow leaves at the entrance. It is dense, packed and sometimes icy, and it is exhausting with a shovel or a small blower. On our routes the City windrow is cleared as part of every visit.

Surfaces: asphalt, pavers and stamped concrete

Plain asphalt handles a blade well. Pavers, interlock and stamped concrete need more care, since a steel edge can chip or scuff them. Near decorative surfaces we use a raised rubber-edge blade. Our 3-car, paver or stamped driveway tier is $1,050 plus HST for the season.

Doing it yourself vs hiring

A snowblower is a reasonable choice if you are home when it snows, have storage for it and do not mind maintenance. Hiring makes sense if you leave early, travel, have health concerns or simply do not want to be out at 6 a.m. Seasonal plans plus HST start at $650 to $725 for a single or 1.5-car driveway and $815 for a double; per-visit clearing is $70 to $85. Walkways and steps start at $150, or $175 for a walk plus up to 6 steps.

Small lots and ice

Tight driveways often sit in the shade of the house or a neighbour’s, so they stay icy longer after a thaw. Neither a plow nor a blower removes ice. Seasonal salt is $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, and pet-safe de-icer is $120. Remember that rock salt works poorly below about -10°C.

At Thames Valley Snow, we look at each property’s layout before deciding how it is cleared, so small lots are cleared without damage to landscaping or tight spaces. Quotes come from City of London maps and aerial imagery within 1 business day.

FAQ

Is a plow too big for a narrow driveway?

Not always, but tight spots near walls, cars and gardens are usually blown or shovelled instead.

Do you clear the end of the driveway?

Yes, the City windrow is cleared on every visit.

Want a fixed price for your property? Get a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. See residential snow removal and stamped and paver driveways.

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.