What to Look for in a Commercial Snow Removal Contract

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

A commercial snow removal contract carries far more weight than a residential one, since it directly affects your liability exposure, your ability to open on time, and the safety of everyone who walks across your property. Before signing with any provider, there are specific elements worth reading closely rather than skimming past.

Look for a clearly defined trigger depth and guaranteed response time, spelled out in exact numbers rather than vague language. A contract that says service begins at a specific snowfall threshold with a defined completion window gives you something concrete to hold the provider to, which matters enormously when your business depends on being accessible.

Check what documentation the provider offers. Reputable commercial snow contractors log every visit with timestamps, sometimes photos, creating a paper trail that protects you if a slip-and-fall claim ever arises. This documentation can be the difference between a quick resolution and a costly legal dispute down the road.

Confirm insurance coverage explicitly, including the coverage amount and what it protects against. A commercial property owner's liability exposure is significant enough that you want real assurance your provider carries adequate coverage, not just a verbal assurance that they're insured.

Pricing models you will see

Commercial agreements in London usually fall into three shapes. A fixed seasonal price gives you one predictable number for the winter. Per-visit pricing charges for each clearing, which suits lower-traffic sites. An event-cap agreement charges per event up to a set maximum, so a heavy winter does not run away from your budget. Ask which one a quote is based on, because two prices that look similar can behave very differently in a big year.

Contract checklist

• Season dates and the snowfall depth that starts a visit
• Which areas are included: lot, sidewalks, entrances, ramps
• Whether salt or ice control is included or separate
• Where snow will be piled, and that it is kept away from doors and drains
• How each visit is recorded, such as a dated photo log
• A certificate of insurance, with your business added as additional insured if you need it
• Billing schedule and payment methods

How Thames Valley Snow writes commercial agreements

We price each site individually from its paved area, walkway length and opening time, and a written quote usually arrives within 2 business days. You choose a fixed seasonal, per-visit or event-cap agreement, and monthly billing is available on request. Sites are cleared before opening, sidewalks, entrances and ramps are hand-cleared and salted, and snow is piled away from doors and drains. Every visit goes into a photo log.

We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, can provide certificates and add you as additional insured, are WSIB registered, and belong to the London Property Management Association. Our commercial clients include vet and chiropractic clinics, churches, plazas and a 24/7 truck stop on Highway 401.

Trigger Depth and Return Visits

The contract should state the snowfall depth that starts service. For our seasonal clients, service is automatic for every snowfall of 5 cm or more, so nobody has to call to request a visit. During long storms, crews make return visits rather than waiting for the snow to stop completely. Seasonal salt is available as a $175 add-on and covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, which matters on commercial sites where ice can form after the plowing is done. Make sure any contract you sign explains what happens in both of those situations.

Commercial contract FAQ

Is a seasonal contract always cheaper?

Not always. It gives you a fixed cost, but a quiet winter can make per-visit pricing cheaper. An event-cap agreement sits between the two.

Can I be billed monthly?

Yes. Monthly billing is available on request for commercial clients.

Ready to plan your winter? Get a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read about commercial snow removal and our prices.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.