11 min read
How much does snow removal cost in Ontario?
What driveway snow removal costs in Ontario for winter 2026-2027, per visit and per season, what a contract should include, snow blower prices, and the city programs that help seniors and people with disabilities.
UbaFounder, Zulma
Clearing a typical two-car driveway and the front walk usually costs $35 to $150 a visit in Ontario, or $570 to $1,730 for a full-season contract (roughly November to March). Toronto sits at the top of those ranges. These figures come from two Ontario snow removal companies' published price guides, which we checked on 20 October 2026, and are before HST.
Key points
- Most homeowners choose between paying per visit and a seasonal contract.
- A one-time visit costs more than a visit under a full-season contract, and contract customers get priority in storms.
- Heavy, wet or packed snow, ice, steep driveways and salting all add to the price.
- Several cities in the Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara area clear the snowbank at the end of your driveway or help pay for snow removal if you are 65 or older or have a disability. See the city table below.
Prices at a glance
| How you pay | Absolute Home Services (Ontario, Dec 2024) | Outwash (Toronto and GTA, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Per visit, standard driveway and walkway | $35 to $85 | $50 to $150 |
| Per month | n/a | $200 to $400 for about 4 to 6 visits |
| Full season | $575 to $1,725 | $570 to $1,730 |
| Per hour, equipment and operator | $60 to $175 | n/a |
Prices are before HST. A third, national price guide puts a season at $350 to over $1,000, and a visit at $50 to $150.
For a real example of a published price list: Kodiak Snow, in Ottawa's west end, lists a full season at $495 for a single driveway and $545 for a double (checked October 2026). The Toronto estimates above are higher.
At the top of the market, a large Toronto company quotes a typical single home at about $3,200 to $5,400 a season (paid monthly, plus HST) for an all-inclusive package: a visit after just 1 cm of snow, the walkway, and de-icing after every visit, with no visit limit (Monster Plow, 2026-27 season). Most companies start at 3 to 5 cm and charge extra for salt, so a lower trigger and more included work are a big part of why prices differ.
Ways to keep your driveway clear
| Option | What it costs | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel it yourself | A shovel and salt | Short driveways, light snowfalls, people who are fit to shovel |
| Your own snow blower | About $730 to $2,500 to buy (see below), plus fuel or charging and upkeep | Most driveways, if you're home when it snows |
| Pay per visit | About $35 to $150 a visit | Mild winters, or a backup |
| Seasonal contract | About $570 to $1,730 a season, more for all-inclusive | People who are away, can't shovel, or want it done every time |
| City help | Free windrow clearing or a subsidy, where offered | Seniors and people with disabilities (see the city table) |
Buying a snow blower instead
Snow blowers come in three kinds. Cub Cadet, a snow blower maker, sums them up this way (October 2025):
| Kind | Snow it handles | Driveway size | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-stage | Up to about 6 inches | Up to 6 to 8 parking spaces | Smooth (paved). It scrapes to the ground and can throw gravel. |
| Two-stage | Up to about 18 inches (23 on the largest models) | Up to 8 to 15 parking spaces | Paved and gravel |
| Three-stage | Up to about 23 inches | Large driveways | Paved and gravel |
Two-stage and three-stage machines also cope better with heavy, wet snow, and throw it farther.
What they cost at Home Depot Canada on 20 October 2026, before HST:
| Snow blower | Kind | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYOBI 18V 18-inch, 2 batteries | Single-stage | Battery | $728 |
| RYOBI 40V 18-inch, 1 battery | Single-stage | Battery | $798 |
| PowerSmart 24-inch | Two-stage | Gas | $799 |
| RYOBI 40V 21-inch, 2 batteries | Single-stage | Battery | $848 |
| Toro Power Clear 721 E, 21-inch | Single-stage | Gas | $1,129 |
| DEWALT 60V 21-inch, 2 batteries | Single-stage | Battery | $1,299 |
| Hyundai 28-inch, 302cc | Two-stage | Gas | $1,648 |
| Hyundai 30-inch, 420cc | Two-stage | Gas | $2,198 |
| RYOBI 40V 24-inch, 4 batteries | Two-stage | Battery | $2,498 |
Buy or hire? A mid-range snow blower costs about the same as one or two seasons of a basic contract. It pays off over several winters if you're home when it snows and able to use it. A contract makes more sense if you travel, leave for work before the plows come, or would rather not clear snow at all.
Looking after a gas snow blower: change the oil, check the spark plug and belts, lubricate the moving parts, use fresh fuel and store it properly at the end of the season (Cub Cadet). Your owner's manual gives the intervals for your model.
Price by area
Absolute Home Services publishes a per-visit range for parts of Ontario (December 2024):
| Area | Per visit, residential |
|---|---|
| Toronto | $45 to $90 |
| Mississauga | $35 to $85 |
| Hamilton | $30 to $75 (more on the Mountain) |
| Durham Region | $28 to $70 |
This is one company's estimate, so use it to compare areas, not as a quote. It puts Toronto 20 to 30% above other areas because of density and limited room to pile snow.
Per visit or per season?
| Per visit | Seasonal contract | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Each time they come | One price for the winter |
| Best for | A mild winter, or a backup | Most homeowners who need the driveway clear every time |
| In a big storm | Contract customers usually come first | Priority service |
| Risk | A snowy winter costs more | You pay the same in a mild winter |
Some companies also sell a mix: a seasonal base price, plus a per-visit charge once a set number of visits or total snowfall is passed. That limits what you pay in a very snowy winter.
What a snow removal contract should include
Ask for these in writing before you pay:
- The trigger: what depth of snow starts a visit. Many companies start at about 5 cm (2 inches); some come at 1 cm.
- The area: the driveway only, or the walkway, steps and the snowbank at the end of the driveway too. A simple sketch of the property helps.
- How fast they come: how many hours after the snow stops the work will be done, and whether they come back if more snow builds up.
- Visit or snowfall limits, and what each extra visit costs.
- Salt or ice melt: whether it's included, which product, and when they apply it.
- Damage: what they repair if the plow damages your lawn, curb or interlock, and what counts as normal wear.
- Insurance: proof of liability insurance, and of WSIB coverage for their workers.
- Payment: up front, monthly or in instalments, and what happens to money paid if you cancel.
- Weather records: which records decide whether a snowfall happened. Some contracts use Environment Canada's records for the nearest station.
iSource: Quality Landscape Group's contract guide (September 2026), which draws on Landscape Ontario's standard contract form.
What moves the price
The size and shape of your driveway
A longer, wider or steeper driveway takes more time. Absolute Home Services puts a steep driveway at $115 to $230 a visit.
How much snow, and what kind
Light snow is the cheapest to clear. Heavy, wet snow, packed snow and ice all take more time and equipment, so they cost more per visit.
Salt and extras
Salting the walkway and steps, clearing a deck, or hauling snow away all cost extra unless your contract includes them. Clearing a roof is a separate job and costs much more.
Where you live
Toronto costs the most in the published estimates. Rural properties cost more again because of travel time.
City help with snow, by city
Many cities in the Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara area clear the snowbank the plow leaves at the end of your driveway (the windrow), clear sidewalks, or help pay for snow removal. Programs change every year, so check your city's page before you rely on one.
| City | What the city does | Who qualifies | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Clears 3-metre driveway openings on eligible residential streets after plowing, and clears sidewalks once snow reaches 2 cm | Openings: residents of eligible streets | toronto.ca, updated 9 March 2026 |
| Mississauga | New in 2025/2026: clears part of the windrow at the end of single, double and shared residential driveways, and treats all sidewalks | All residential driveways on public streets (not condos or private roads) | mississauga.ca |
| Brampton | Snow Removal Financial Assistance: up to $300, or $400 for corner lots, toward a paid snow removal service for winter 2026/2027 | 65 or older, or a permanent physical disability; apply by 30 April 2027 | brampton.ca |
| Markham | Clears one car-width of the windrow after 7.5 cm of snow, and plows residential sidewalks | Windrow: registered households where everyone is 60 or older, or has a disability | markham.ca |
| Oshawa | Snow Clearing Assistance: clears windrows over 20 cm and city sidewalks | 65 or older or with a disability; apply 1 October to 18 December 2026 | oshawa.ca |
| Hamilton | Snow Clearing Subsidy: two payments of $225 ($450 in total) toward sidewalk, front-door and windrow clearing, not the whole driveway | Owners 65 or older and/or with a physical disability, with household income under the set limit; apply 1 November to 31 March | hamilton.ca |
| St. Catharines | Owners must clear the sidewalk beside their property within 24 hours of a snowfall; a program helps seniors and people with disabilities who cannot | Program: seniors and people with disabilities | stcatharines.ca |
Salt: use less, and know its limits
Peel Region's advice for homeowners:
- Before a storm, spread a small amount of salt so ice and snow don't stick.
- After a snowfall, clear the snow first, then salt only where it's needed for safety.
- Salt only melts ice above about -10°C. Colder than that, sand, grit or non-clumping kitty litter give grip, and magnesium chloride still works.
Salt can also harm plants and pets' paws, and seep into porous concrete and pavement and damage it over time, so less is better. If your contract includes salting, ask which product they use.
How to hire a snow removal company
- Book before the first snowfall.
- Get the trigger depth, visit limit and what is covered in writing.
- Ask whether salt is included and what it costs if not.
- Ask whether they carry liability insurance, in case of damage to your driveway, lawn or car.
- Ask whether HST is included. Ontario's HST is 13%.
- Compare two or three quotes on the same terms.
Questions people ask
Can I claim snow removal on my taxes? For your own home, generally no. If you rent out a property, the Canada Revenue Agency lists snow removal among the basic services a landlord provides, so ask an accountant how to claim it with your rental expenses. The same goes for a home office. Some cities also pay part of the cost for seniors and people with disabilities (see the table above).
Why is snow removal so expensive? The price pays for equipment such as plow trucks and snow blowers, the crew's time, salt, hauling snow away when there is no room for it, and insurance, plus a promise to come back after every snowfall. Heavy or repeated storms add more visits. That is also why a seasonal contract costs the same in a mild winter as in a snowy one.
How much should I charge for shoveling snow as a kid? There is no set rate, so agree on a price per visit before starting. For comparison, companies charge about $35 to $150 to clear a driveway and walkway with equipment. Shoveling by hand takes longer, so a fair price depends on the driveway and how much snow fell.
What is the best snow removal for the elderly? A seasonal contract that includes the walkway, steps, salting and the windrow at the end of the driveway, so nothing has to be done between visits. Check your city too: Toronto, Mississauga, Markham and Oshawa clear windrows (in some cases only for registered seniors), and Brampton and Hamilton help pay for snow removal for people 65 and older or with a disability.
How do companies price residential snow removal in Ontario? Four ways: a flat price for the season, a price per visit once snow reaches the trigger depth, an hourly rate for equipment and operator ($60 to $175 an hour), or a mix of a seasonal base plus per-visit charges after a limit. Driveway size, the trigger depth, the walkway and steps, and salting set where you land.
How do you write a contract for snow removal? Put the trigger depth, the area to clear, how fast they'll come, any visit limit, salting, damage repairs, proof of insurance and WSIB, the payment schedule and cancellation terms in writing. See the checklist above.
Is a snow blower cheaper than a snow removal service? Over a few winters, usually. A snow blower costs about $730 to $2,500, about one or two seasons of a basic contract, but you need to be home and able to use it, and pay for fuel or charging and upkeep.
How much does a seasonal snow removal contract cost in Ontario? Usually $575 to $1,730 for a standard driveway and walkway, depending on the area and what is included.
How much does snow removal cost per visit in Toronto? About $45 to $150 a visit for a standard driveway and walkway, from the two company guides above.
Find snow removal near you
Zulma Atlas lists snow removal businesses across 39 towns, from Niagara to Toronto, York and Durham, with the services each one publishes. Find snow removal in your town
Sources (checked 20 October 2026)
- Absolute Home Services, "Snow Removal Costs in Ontario, Canada: A 2025 Guide" (published 26 December 2024).
- Outwash, "How Much Does Snow Removal Cost in 2026?".
- Kodiak Snow, "What is the cost of Snow Removal Services?".
- A national price guide (cross-check only).
- City pages: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Oshawa, Hamilton, St. Catharines.
- Monster Plow, "How Much Does Snow Removal Cost in Toronto? 2026 Pricing Guide" (2026-27 season).
- Quality Landscape Group, "Snow Removal Contract Guide: Seasonal vs Per-Event" (updated 28 September 2026).
- Cub Cadet Canada, "The Ultimate Snow Blower Buying Guide" (updated 27 October 2025).
- Home Depot Canada, "Snowblowers" (prices on 20 October 2026).
- Peel Region, "Reducing and managing salt use".
- CTV News Toronto, "Flash freeze after wild swings in Ontario weather create prime slipping conditions".
- Canada Revenue Agency, "Business expenses" (modified 31 August 2026).
Written by Uba, founder of Zulma. Last checked 20 October 2026. We re-check these prices and city programs every fall, before the season.
