Why Seasonal Snow Removal Is Priced as a Flat Fee

3 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

What the flat fee actually pays for

It is tempting to think of snow removal as paying per pile of snow. In practice, a company has to commit to you before anyone knows what the winter will bring. Trucks, plows, blowers, fuel, insurance and trained operators all have to be ready from the first day of the season. Routes are planned around a fixed list of properties so every customer can be reached in a reasonable time.

The seasonal fee covers that readiness. Whether it snows often or rarely, your property is on the route and will be cleared automatically at every 5 cm snowfall.

Why it balances out over the winter

Ontario winters vary a great deal from year to year. Some seasons bring frequent small snowfalls, others bring a few big storms, and some include long stretches of freezing rain and refreeze. A flat fee spreads that uncertainty out. In a heavy winter you get many visits for the same price; in a light winter you still had a guaranteed service ready. Either way, you know your cost in the fall and can budget for it.

Seasonal versus paying per visit

If you prefer to call only when you need help, per-visit service is available at $70 to $85 per visit plus HST. That can suit people who are usually home, have a snowblower, or only need help occasionally. The trade-off is that per-visit customers are scheduled around seasonal routes and do not get automatic clearing. Seasonal customers never have to call, and return visits in long storms are included.

• Choose seasonal if you want it handled without thinking about it.
• Choose per-visit if you only want help on the occasional big day.

How payment works

Seasonal plans take a 30% deposit to reserve your spot, with the balance due before December 1. Prices are fixed at the time of your quote, so there are no surprise charges when a big storm arrives. Seniors and front-line workers receive 5% off seasonal plans.

How our seasonal service handles it

Our seasonal plans run from December 1 to March 31. Clearing is automatic every time 5 cm or more falls, so you never need to call or book a visit. In long storms we come back for return visits, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared as part of the service. Before the season starts we mark your edges, steps and drains so they can be found under snow. After every visit you get a timestamped photo. We are fully insured with $2,000,000 in liability coverage and registered with WSIB. Seasonal salting is available for $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, and seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. Prices are fixed for the season: single or 1.5-car driveways are $650 to $725, doubles are $815, and three-car, paver or stamped driveways are $1,050, all plus HST. We measure your property from City of London maps and aerial imagery and send a fixed quote within one business day. A 30% deposit reserves your spot, with the balance due before December 1.

Want this handled for you this winter? Request a free quote and we will measure your property and send a fixed price within one business day, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about per-visit snow removal and our prices.

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.