What to look for
- A written contract listing every area to clear
- Liability insurance
- A clear trigger depth, such as 2 inches
- Response time after the snow stops
- Reviews from past winters
Questions to ask before you hire
- What snow depth triggers a visit?
- How soon after a storm will you clear my driveway?
- Is salting or ice melt included?
- How do you mark the driveway edges?
- What happens in a winter with far more snow than usual?
Getting and comparing quotes
Compare per-visit and seasonal prices for the same areas. A seasonal contract is often the better deal where snow is regular, but read what it covers in a very snowy year.
Red flags
- No written contract
- Won't commit to a response time
- No insurance
- Asks for full season payment with no terms