Snow in the Lower Mainland is unpredictable. Some winters Vancouver barely sees a flake, while Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Hope get several real dumps. When it does come, everyone calls at once, so the best time to line up snow removal is in the fall, before the first forecast.
Seasonal contract or pay per visit?
Seasonal contract. You pay one price for the whole winter, and the company clears your driveway every time snow passes an agreed depth. Typical range: $400 to $1,200 per season for a residential driveway, depending on size, walkways and salting.
- Good if you're in the Fraser Valley or up a hill where snow sticks around
- Good if you can't shovel, or you need the driveway clear for work
- You're usually on the route ahead of one-off callers
- You still pay in a winter with almost no snow
Per visit. You pay each time they come. Usually somewhere around $50 to $150 per visit for a typical driveway, more for long or steep ones or heavy snow.
- Good for most of Metro Vancouver, where snow may only come a few times a year
- You only pay when it snows
- In a big storm, one-off customers often wait until contract customers are done
These are rough ranges. Prices vary a lot by area and driveway, so compare a few local quotes.
What to ask before you sign
- What's the trigger depth? Most contracts start at 2 to 5 cm. Below that, they don't come.
- How soon after it stops snowing? Ask whether they clear during a storm or only after, and how many hours you might wait.
- What's included? Driveway only, or walkways, steps and the city sidewalk too?
- Is salt or ice melt included? In our freeze-thaw weather, ice is often worse than snow. Ask whether salting is part of the price or extra per visit, and whether they use pet-safe ice melt.
- Where does the snow go? It shouldn't be piled on your lawn beds, against the house or onto the street.
- What about damage? Ask how they handle damage to lawns, edging or pavers, and whether they'll put stakes along the driveway edges.
- Are they insured? Ask for proof of liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage.
- What if there's no snow? For seasonal contracts, ask whether there's a partial refund or a capped number of visits.
Don't forget the sidewalk
Many Lower Mainland cities, including Vancouver, require homeowners to clear the public sidewalk in front of their property by a set time after snowfall, often 10 a.m. Rules vary, so check your city's bylaw. If you're paying for snow removal anyway, make sure the sidewalk is in the contract.
Who usually offers it
Most residential snow removal in the Lower Mainland is done by landscaping and yard maintenance companies in their off-season. If you already have a lawn care company, ask them first. Many give existing customers priority.
Get it sorted before the first forecast
Contracts and routes usually fill up in November. Send one request and compare quotes for snow removal in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Coquitlam and across the Lower Mainland.