When should your snow removal service come out?
A snowfall trigger tells you when a visit starts. Here’s how to pair it with your access hours and make a plan for ice or a long storm.
Snow starts falling overnight, and you need to know whether your driveway will be cleared before you leave. Before the first storm, ask what starts a visit and when you can expect the work. Then you’ll know when to wait for a crew and when to call.
Pick a trigger that matches how you use the property
A snowfall trigger is the amount of accumulation that starts a clearing visit under an agreement. An on-request visit starts with your call. If you prefer to decide after seeing the conditions, ask how on-request bookings work. If you have a regular early departure or opening time, ask whether you can agree on a snowfall trigger and a service window in advance.
Ask where the depth will be assessed. A sheltered spot can have less snow than an exposed driveway entrance where wind pushes snow into drifts. Fort St. John’s winter road program also accounts for drifting snow and poor visibility when planning municipal work. On private property, it helps to show the contractor where buildup tends to block your exit. City of Fort St. John winter road maintenance
Tell your contractor when you need access
Give a specific time. “We leave at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays” is easier to plan around than “first thing in the morning.” For a business, give your first staff arrival or delivery time as well as your posted opening hours. Ask what service window the contractor can offer and how they handle an ongoing storm that extends past that window.
During a long snowfall, ask whether it makes sense to clear a priority route during the storm and return later for the rest. For a home, the first priority might be enough driveway width to get one vehicle out. For a business, it might be the entrance and the first delivery lane. Confirm which areas and visits the quote covers, along with how any extra visits would be priced.
Make a separate plan for ice
Freezing rain can form ice on cold surfaces with little snow accumulation. A rapid temperature drop can also freeze water left by rain or melting snow. A service agreement based on depth alone may leave these conditions unaddressed. Ask whether to call when ice appears and which spots to check first. Environment and Climate Change Canada on severe winter weather
What to send with your quote request
Write down the earliest time you need access, where snow tends to drift, and which areas freeze again after a thaw. Include any limits on gate access or parked vehicles. With those details, you can compare quotes based on how each one handles a typical snowfall, a long storm, and an icy morning.
See PSP Maintenance’s snow removal and ice control options and request a quote for your property’s winter schedule.