Snow removal contracts in Montreal: what to look for before you sign

Montreal averages 210 cm of snow per year. A bad snow removal contract — or no contract at all — means scrambling to find someone the morning after a storm, when every provider is already booked solid. Here's what to look for before signing anything.

Seasonal vs. per-visit pricing

Seasonal contracts charge a flat fee for the winter regardless of how many times it snows. Per-visit pricing charges each time the crew comes out. In a heavy snow year (like 2022–23 in Montreal), seasonal contracts save you significantly. In a mild year, per-visit can cost less. Most homeowners with driveways prefer seasonal for the predictability.

Key questions to ask any snow removal provider

• What is the trigger depth? (Most contracts specify 5–8 cm before they come out)
• Is 24/7 priority service guaranteed during storms, or just next-day?
• Do you sub-contract or is it your own crew?
• What is your policy if the crew damages my property?
• Are you insured for liability in Quebec?
• What happens if we get an unusually heavy winter — is the price fixed?

Red flags to watch for

• No written contract — verbal agreements are unenforceable
• Payment demanded fully upfront in cash
• No liability insurance mentioned
• Trigger depth not specified (they can delay indefinitely)
• No clear service area — they may be stretched too thin

When to book

Book in September or early October at the latest. The best residential snow removal providers in Montreal fill their routes by mid-October. If you wait until November, you'll be choosing from whoever still has space — which is usually not the best operators.

L'Île Verte offers reliable residential and commercial snow removal contracts across Montreal, Laval, and the North Shore. Seasonal contracts, clear terms, and priority 24/7 service during storms. Book before we fill up.