Snow removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What snow removal is

Snow removal plows, shovels or blows snow from driveways, walks and parking lots, and spreads de-icer where needed, either after each storm or under a seasonal agreement. People hire it when shoveling is too much work, when they cannot be home for storms, or when a property needs to be clear and safe for customers or residents.

Signs you need it

  • Snow is piling up faster than you can clear it, and the driveway is hard to use
  • Walks and steps are icy or drifted, creating a fall risk for family, visitors or customers
  • You are away or cannot shovel safely because of a health issue or heavy lifting
  • The property is a rental, business or multi-unit site that needs a clear lot on a set schedule
  • Plowed snow is building up at the end of the driveway and blocking the way out

What the pro does

  • The crew checks the driveway, walks and lot for obstacles such as cars, mailboxes, curbs and landscape features
  • Plowing starts from the center and works outward, with snow pushed to areas that will not block drains or the street
  • Walks, steps and entries are shoveled by hand where the plow cannot reach
  • De-icer or sand is spread on walks and entries where the customer has asked for it and the surface allows it
  • Piles are pushed to the planned spots, and the crew returns after the storm when the agreement or the call requires

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area to be cleared, including driveway, walks, steps and parking
  • Number of storms covered if the service is per storm, or the length of the seasonal agreement
  • Snow depth and whether the work is light clearing or heavy plowing
  • Whether de-icer or sand is included and how much is used
  • Obstacles such as tight corners, landscape features, mailboxes and parked cars
  • Access, including steep driveways and areas that are hard to push snow from
  • Snow storage, such as whether piles can be pushed to a spot or must be hauled off

What a written quote should spell out

  • The areas covered, such as driveway, walks, steps, parking and entries
  • The trigger for a visit, such as a set snow depth or every storm
  • The de-icer or sand used, and whether it is included in the price
  • Where snow is pushed and how piles are kept off the street and drains
  • The response time after a storm and how the customer is told when the crew is coming
  • Insurance held by the company and how damage to property is handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you plow, shovel or both, and how do you clear the walks by hand?
  • How soon after a storm do you arrive, and what is the trigger for a visit?
  • Where do you push the snow, and will it block my mailbox, drains or neighbor's drive?
  • What de-icer do you use, and is it safe for my concrete, pets and plants?
  • How do you handle damage to lawns, sprinklers, lights or edging?
  • Are you insured for the work, and can you show proof?
  • Do you come back during the storm if the snow keeps coming?

Red flags

  • They plow the snow onto the street or into the path of traffic
  • They push piles against the house, the garage door or a fence
  • They damage the lawn or sprinklers without saying how they will repair them
  • They use de-icer on new concrete or on plants without asking what it is
  • They cannot show proof of insurance or say how they handle damage

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can shovel a driveway or walk in light to moderate snow, using a snow shovel and pushing rather than lifting, and taking breaks. Call a pro for heavy snow, for roof snow, for steep or large areas, or when a health condition makes shoveling unsafe. Do not climb onto a roof to clear snow, and keep hands and feet clear of the auger and the chute.

Licenses and permits

Snow removal is commonly not licensed for a homeowner. A business that plows for pay may need a business registration or contractor rules in some areas, and some areas have rules about where snow may be pushed. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local government about rules that apply to the work.

Snow removal questions

Should I pay per storm or get a seasonal agreement?

A per storm plan suits light winters and irregular needs. A seasonal agreement fits a property that needs clearing after each storm all winter. Ask the crew to set the trigger for each option and the number of storms covered.

Is de-icer safe for my driveway and plants?

Some de-icers can damage concrete, plants and the lawn edge, and some are harder on pets. Ask the crew which product they use, and check the label for what it is safe on before you spread any on your own.

Who is responsible if the plow damages my property?

The contract should say who repairs damage and how. Ask the crew to mark the edges and any sprinkler heads before the first storm, and check whether their insurance covers damage to property.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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