5 min read
What a Good Snow Removal Contract Includes: A 7-Point Checklist
Two quotes for the same driveway can be $150 apart and look identical on the surface. The difference almost always lives in the written terms — or the absence of them. Before you sign any snow contract in Guelph, make sure these seven things are in writing.
The seven points
1. Trigger depth — the accumulation at which service happens. Around 5 cm is standard in Guelph; 'when it snows' is not a trigger, it's a vibe.
2. Covered surfaces — driveway, walkway, steps, and (if you need it) the sidewalk the bylaw makes you responsible for. If it isn't listed, it isn't included.
3. Windrow return passes — whether the crew comes back after the city plow reseals your driveway. This is the one skipped most often by bargain quotes.
4. Service window — how long after snowfall ends until you're cleared, and whether overnight storms get a before-morning-commute pass.
5. Salting terms — what triggers a salting visit, which surfaces it covers, and what it costs per visit if it's an add-on.
6. Season dates and payment — typically November 1 to mid-April, paid in one or two installments or monthly. Full-season cash up front with no written terms is a walk-away signal.
7. Proof of insurance — liability coverage, offered without friction. Any legitimate operator has it and will show it.
Why the paper matters more than the price
In a mild December, every contractor looks great. Contracts exist for the last week of January — when it's snowed four times in five days, every truck in the city is maxed, and the only thing determining whether your driveway gets cleared is what was committed in writing back in October.
Get every quote to answer the same seven points and the real comparison becomes obvious fast. Ours answers them up front.
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