What's a Site Walk and Why Does It Matter?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

A site walk is a physical walkthrough of your property with your snow removal contractor before the season starts, and it's one of the most valuable steps a business owner can take to make sure the service plan actually fits the property.

During a site walk, the contractor identifies specific hazards and priorities that aren't obvious from a photo or a phone conversation. Things like drainage issues that cause refreeze, tight areas that require different equipment, or obstacles like light poles and curbs that need careful navigation all get flagged in person.

This is also when snow storage areas get identified, entrance priorities get confirmed, and any special considerations, like a fire lane that must stay clear at all times, get documented clearly so there's no ambiguity once winter arrives and the team is working fast during a storm.

A site walk protects both sides of the relationship. The business owner gets a service plan tailored to their actual property, and the contractor gets clarity on expectations before committing to a quote, which reduces the chance of disputes or surprises once service begins.

What Gets Reviewed

Whether it happens on foot or starts from maps, a good pre-season review covers the same list: entrances and their priority order, walkways, ramps and steps, accessible parking, fire lanes and hydrants, drains and downspouts, curbs, islands and light poles, and where snow can be piled without blocking sightlines or exits. Anything fragile, such as decorative pavers, landscaping or low fencing, should be noted so crews can work around it.

How We Prepare a Property

At Thames Valley Snow, quotes start with City of London maps and aerial imagery, which show the size and layout of a property accurately. Commercial sites are priced per site, with a quote within 2 business days. Before the season, edges, steps and drains are marked so they stay visible under snow. If you know about a problem spot, such as a low area that pools or a door that must stay clear for deliveries, tell us when you ask for a quote so it is built into the plan.

Put It in Writing

The value of a review comes from what is written down afterward. A simple site map that shows priority areas, snow storage zones, marked hazards and areas that must never be blocked gives everyone the same picture. Keep it with the contract and share it with whoever manages the property, so a staff change mid-winter does not mean starting over.

Review Again During the Season

Properties change as winter goes on. Snow piles grow, and meltwater finds new paths. A quick check partway through the season can catch a pile that is starting to block a sightline or a spot where refreeze keeps forming. Timestamped photos from every visit make it easy to see how the site is changing over time.

Common Problems a Review Catches

Some of the most common surprises are a drain hidden under the first big snowfall, a planter or bollard that is invisible once buried, a fire lane that gets used for snow storage, and a downspout that dumps meltwater across the main entrance. Each of these is easy to fix before winter and much harder to fix in the middle of a storm.

Do I need to be there for the review?

It helps if you can share what you know about the property, such as problem spots and access needs, but much of the layout can be confirmed from maps and imagery.

What if my property changes after the season starts?

Let your contractor know right away, for example a new fence or a changed entrance, so the plan and markings can be updated.

Ready to sort out winter before it starts? Ask for a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about our how it works and commercial snow removal.

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.