How much does snow removal cost in Ontario? According to HomeStars' snow removal price guide (checked October 2026), clearing a standard driveway averages about $30 to $90 per visit, and a seasonal driveway contract averages about $350 to $1,000 or more. These are published average estimates, not quotes: your price depends on the size of your driveway, what is included and how the contract is billed. For exact pricing for your home or business, contact Michael Durham Landscaping for a free on-site quote.
Below are the averages from two Canadian cost guides, what moves the price up or down, and how to compare quotes so you are paying for the same job.
Average Snow Removal Costs at a Glance
| Service | Average estimate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard driveway, plowing or shovelling | $30 to $90 per visit | HomeStars, checked Oct 2026 |
| Long or large driveway | $85 to $175 or more per visit | HomeStars, checked Oct 2026 |
| Steep or difficult driveway | $115 to $230 per visit | HomeStars, checked Oct 2026 |
| Seasonal driveway contract | $350 to $1,000 or more per season | HomeStars, checked Oct 2026 |
| Driveway and walkway, per visit (GTA) | $40 to $150 per visit | YardGrade, July 2026 |
| Seasonal contract, small driveway, plow only (GTA) | $300 to $800 per season | YardGrade, July 2026 |
| Seasonal contract, double driveway, all-inclusive (GTA) | $575 to $1,725 per season | YardGrade, July 2026 |
YardGrade's figures are compiled from named Canadian sources for the Greater Toronto Area and are quoted before 13% HST. Prices in Durham Region can differ, and every property is different, so treat these numbers as a starting point for budgeting.
Seasonal Contract or Pay Per Visit?
Most residential snow removal is billed one of two ways:
- Seasonal contract. One price covers the whole winter, however many storms arrive. You know your cost before the first snowfall, and a heavy winter does not raise it.
- Per visit. You pay each time the crew comes. A mild winter can cost less; a snowy one can cost more than a seasonal contract would have.
The trade-off is predictability against a gamble on the weather. Our residential snow contracts are fixed-price seasonal agreements that run from November 1 to April 15, for that reason.
What Changes the Price of Snow Removal
Driveway size, shape and slope
HomeStars lists long, large, steep or difficult driveways at noticeably higher per-visit averages than a standard driveway, because they take more time and equipment.
Trigger depth
The trigger is the amount of snow that sends a crew out. YardGrade notes that contracts clearing at 1 cm cost substantially more than contracts with a 5 cm trigger, because they mean far more visits each winter. Our residential contracts dispatch at 2 inches (about 5 cm), day or night.
What is included
A driveway-only price and a full-property price are not the same job. Check whether walkways, the public sidewalk, the porch or front entrance, and the windrow left by the town plow are included. Our standard residential contract covers the driveway, walkways, sidewalks and porch or front entrance, and extra areas such as steps to a side door can be added.
Salting
Some contracts include ice melt; others charge for it separately. YardGrade's sources put residential salting add-ons at about $20 to $100 per application. Our residential contracts cover plowing and shovelling only; salting is part of our commercial contracts.
Season length, timing and tax
A contract that runs November to April covers more of the winter than one ending in March. Booking early matters too: HomeStars notes that early scheduling may secure better rates, and contractors fill their routes before the first snowfall. Finally, YardGrade notes that snow removal is a fully taxable service in Ontario at 13% HST and that many quotes are written before tax, so confirm which way each quote is shown.
Extra Charges to Ask About
A low headline price can grow during the season. HomeStars lists the extra charges that most often catch homeowners off guard:
- Travel fees when a property sits outside the company's usual service area.
- Extra snow depth, billed when a storm drops more than the contract's base amount.
- Emergency call-outs for expedited service during severe weather.
- Equipment surcharges for specialized machinery.
- Contract changes made mid-season, which can bring penalties or new pricing.
Ask for each of these in writing before you sign. A clear contract states what is included, what is extra and what the extra costs.
Local Rules Can Change What You Need
Durham Region municipalities set their own winter rules. In Ajax, for example, the Town of Ajax says residents must clear the sidewalk in front of their home within 24 hours after a snowfall or ice forming, and windrow clearing is the homeowner's responsibility. Our page on snow removal in Ajax explains those rules. Rules change, so check your own municipality's winter maintenance page, then make sure your contract covers what the rules make your job.
How to Compare Snow Removal Quotes
Put quotes side by side only after you have matched them on:
- Trigger depth, for example 2 inches versus 1 cm.
- Areas covered: driveway, walkways, sidewalk, porch, windrow.
- Salting: included, extra or not offered.
- Season dates: when service starts and ends.
- Billing: seasonal, per visit or per event, and whether HST is included.
- Response: whether overnight storms are cleared before morning.
Our guide to choosing a snow removal contractor in Durham Region covers the questions to ask before you sign.
What About Commercial Properties?
Commercial snow removal costs more because lots, entrances and walkways are larger and salting is usually part of the service. HomeStars notes that commercial properties often need specialized equipment and face stricter requirements, which raises labour and overall costs. YardGrade's July 2026 research puts full-winter commercial contracts in the GTA at about $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Our commercial and industrial snow removal service adds weather-monitored dispatch, salting after every visit and time-stamped service logs.
Common Questions
Is a seasonal snow removal contract worth it?
For most homeowners in a normal Ontario winter, yes. A seasonal contract fixes your cost before winter starts, while per-visit billing adds up quickly in a snowy year.
Does the price of snow removal include salting?
It depends on the contract. Many residential contracts, including ours, cover plowing and shovelling only. Ask whether salting is included, extra or not offered.
When should I book snow removal?
In September or October. Routes fill before the first snowfall, and HomeStars notes that early scheduling may secure better rates.
Do snow removal quotes include HST?
Not always. YardGrade notes that snow removal is taxable in Ontario at 13% HST and many companies quote before tax, so check each quote before comparing them.
Get Exact Pricing for Your Property
Published averages help you budget, but the only way to know your price is a quote for your driveway and walkways. For exact pricing for your home or business, contact Michael Durham Landscaping for a free on-site quote. See our residential snow removal page for what our contracts include, or contact us to book before routes fill.
Sources: HomeStars, Snow Removal Costs price guide (checked October 2026); YardGrade, How Much Does Snow Removal Cost in Toronto? (researched July 2026); Town of Ajax, Winter Roads and Snow Removal.
