If you own a home or a business, you’ll need to deal with snow removal in the winter. You can hire a company to take care of this chore for you, or you can do it yourself. Depending on the severity of the snow, this process can take a long time. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and research your options before the snow begins to fall.
First, decide whether you need to clear the driveway, sidewalks or both. If you are only clearing the driveway and sidewalks, your costs are likely to be minimal. On the other hand, if you are clearing your entire property, you will need to hire a snow removal company. If you have a lot of snow, you may need to hire a contractor for a full season contract.
The most important areas to clear are the front walkway and the driveway. It’s also a good idea to shovel the snow out of your vehicle. If you do not clear the snow from your vehicle, you will have problems driving. This can impair your visibility and cause accidents. It’s also a good idea not to park on the street during residential plowing.
Once your home is cleared, you can begin to move vehicles into your driveway. You’ll need to pay a fee for this service. This is usually a per-push fee. The cost is generally higher if you require more than one push.
Once you have a professional snow removal company, you can schedule a visit to remove your snow. They will use a variety of equipment to do the job. They may offer will-call service or a full season contract. You should check if they have insurance coverage and how many visits they will make. Having a contract in place will ensure that your snow removal is done quickly and efficiently.
The costs for snow removal vary, but a six inch accumulation will cost you around $60 to $95. Twelve inches will cost you $110 to $140. You’ll pay an extra $30 for every additional six inches. The cost is also affected by the amount of time needed to clear the snow, how many times the company will need to come, the size of the property and whether you want contract services.
The city of Montreal spends about $158 million Canadian each year to clear the streets of snow. The city has a large fleet of snow-clearing vehicles, including salt trucks. The salt helps melt ice and gives drivers more traction. It is also applied as a preventative measure.
If you own a commercial property, you’ll need to apply abrasives to the sidewalks to ensure that your visitors have safe access. They can also be used to remove ice from the surfaces. The salt can be a good way to get rid of snow, though ecological movements oppose it.
If you have a full season contract with a company, you can expect to receive unlimited visits. They will provide you with an estimate at the beginning of the season and then bill you for the services. It’s a good idea to choose a company with a good reputation and a fast response time, because you won’t have to worry about waiting for a response.