Should You Shovel Before the Plow Truck Arrives?

3 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

It's a question that comes up constantly during the first big storm of the season: should you grab a shovel and clear a path while you're waiting for the plow truck, or just leave it alone and let the crew handle everything? The answer depends on what you actually need and how your contract is structured.

If you're on a seasonal contract with a set trigger depth, shoveling a walking path to your door or car while you wait is perfectly fine and often smart, especially if you need to leave before the crew's scheduled window. Clearing a narrow path by hand doesn't interfere with the plow truck's work on the main driveway surface, since the truck is handling the bulk of the snow anyway.

What you shouldn't do is shovel the entire driveway yourself right before the crew arrives. Not only is this unnecessary extra work, it can actually confuse dispatch systems that track snowfall by property, and in per-push contracts you'll still get billed for the scheduled visit regardless of whether you cleared it yourself first.

Timing matters too. If a storm is still actively dropping snow, shoveling repeatedly throughout the day is mostly wasted effort, since fresh snow will keep covering your cleared path. It's more effective to wait until the storm tapers off, then either shovel a quick path or let the scheduled crew handle the full clearing.

Thames Valley Snow lets customers know exactly when to expect a crew during active storms, so there's no guesswork about whether to grab a shovel or just wait it out. Knowing the schedule ahead of time saves unnecessary effort and keeps your driveway clear when you actually need it.

When shovelling helps

If you need to leave before the crew arrives, clearing a strip for your car is fine. Try not to throw snow back onto the driveway or into the street, and leave the rest for the crew.

When to wait

Shovelling heavy, wet snow is hard on your back and heart, especially for older homeowners. On a seasonal plan, visits are automatic once 5 cm has fallen, and the crew comes back during long storms.

Steps and walkways

The driveway is covered by the plan, but walkways and steps are an add-on ($150–175). If you find yourself shovelling the path every storm, it may be worth adding.

Frequently asked questions

Will my shovelling change the price?

No. Seasonal pricing is a flat fee.

Do you clear the city windrow?

Yes, the windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared after the city plow comes by.

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.