Choosing a snow removal contract is a bet on the weather. A seasonal contract gives you a fixed cost no matter how much it snows; a per-push contract can cost less in a mild winter and much more in a hard one. Here is how to choose for your property.
The three common contract types
| Contract | How you pay | Cost risk | Service priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal | One fixed price for the winter | Contractor carries it | Highest: you are on the route for every event |
| Per push | A set price for each plow visit | You carry it | High: on the route, billed per visit |
| Per visit, on call | You call when you need service | You carry it | Lower: served when the route allows |
Seasonal contracts
With a seasonal contract, you pay one agreed price for the winter, usually split into monthly payments, and the contractor clears every snowfall that reaches your trigger depth, however many there are. Salting is often included or priced as an option.
Pros: a predictable budget, priority on the route and no decisions to make during a storm. Most contractors also give seasonal clients the first service after a big storm.
Cons: in a mild winter, you may pay more than you would have per push. Some contracts cap the number of events or the total snowfall; read the fine print for caps and what happens above them.
Best for: retail plazas, medical buildings, condos, offices and any site where an uncleared lot costs you customers or creates liability.
Per-push contracts
You pay a set price each time the plow clears your lot. Salting is usually priced separately per application.
Pros: you only pay for what you use, which can save money in a light winter.
Cons: the cost is unpredictable. A heavy winter with frequent snowfalls and long storms needing several passes can cost far more than a seasonal contract. You also need to track invoices against visits.
Best for: smaller lots, properties with flexible budgets, and owners who accept weather risk.
Per-visit, on-call service
You call when you want service. There is no commitment, but there is also no guarantee: after a big storm, contracted properties come first.
Best for: backup service, properties that are rarely used in winter, or occasional one-off clearing.
Trigger depth: the setting that changes everything
Whatever the contract, the trigger depth decides when service starts. A 2 cm trigger keeps a site clean and safe but means more visits; a 5 cm or 7 cm trigger means fewer visits but more snow on the ground before the plow arrives. For per-push contracts, a lower trigger means a higher bill.
Retail and medical sites, where customers and patients arrive all day, usually choose a low trigger. Industrial sites with trucks and early shifts may choose a slightly higher trigger for the lot, but still want docks and walkways cleared promptly.
Salting: included, automatic or on request?
Ice causes more slips than snow. Ask how salting is priced and triggered:
- Automatic salting after every plow visit and ahead of forecast freezing rain gives the best protection.
- On-request salting costs less but relies on someone at your property calling.
- Walkways and entrances are where the risk is highest; many owners choose automatic salting there even if the lot is on request.
Which costs less in Hamilton and Brantford?
Southern Ontario winters vary from year to year. Hamilton in particular sees lake-effect squalls, freezing rain and freeze-thaw cycles that need extra salting even when there is little snow. Because of that variability, many property managers prefer a seasonal contract for budget certainty, and use per-push or per-visit service only for low-risk sites.
The best way to compare is to ask your contractor for both prices on the same site, with the same trigger depth and salting plan, and look at what a mild, average and heavy winter would cost under each.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What exactly is included: lot, sidewalks, entrances, ramps, docks, fire routes?
- What is the trigger depth, and how fast will you arrive after it is reached?
- How is salting priced and triggered?
- Is there a cap on events or snowfall in a seasonal contract?
- Where will snow be piled, and what happens when there is no more room?
- Do you keep a dated log of every visit, and can I have a copy?
- Is your crew insured and covered by WSIB?
- Who do I call during a storm?
Records and liability
In Ontario, a person injured on snow or ice on private property generally has to give written notice within 60 days. A contractor’s dated service log, showing when the site was plowed and salted, is valuable evidence. Make sure your contract includes one, and keep it with your insurance records. For advice on your property, talk to your lawyer or insurer.
Get a quote for both
MC Services offers seasonal, per-push and per-visit contracts for commercial properties in Hamilton and Brantford, including parking lot plowing and salting and ice control. We will price your site both ways after a free site visit so you can compare. See commercial snow removal or call or WhatsApp 647-921-1060. For a wider overview, read our commercial snow removal guide for property managers.
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