Commercial Snow Contracts in Ontario: Seasonal vs. Per-Push Pricing
Commercial snow contracts in Ontario usually come in four forms: seasonal (fixed fee), per-push or per-visit, per-event, and time and materials. Seasonal contracts give predictable budgets, while per-push and per-event contracts track the actual winter but can swing widely from year to year. Whichever you pick, the contract should spell out triggers, service levels, salt use, logs and insurance, because those details matter most if someone slips.
Mid-October is decision time for property managers, plaza owners and condo boards in London. Good snow contractors fill their routes early, and the contract you sign now sets your costs and your risk for the whole season. This guide explains the common contract types, what to put in writing, and the Ontario-specific rules that should shape your choice.
The four common contract types
1. Seasonal or fixed-fee contracts
You pay a set price for the season, often in monthly instalments, regardless of how much snow falls.
Pros: predictable budget; the contractor has a reason to work efficiently.
Cons: you pay the same in a light winter. Many fixed-fee contracts include a cap on the number of events or total snowfall, with extra charges above it.
2. Per-push or per-visit contracts
You pay each time the crew plows or visits the site.
Pros: you pay for what's done.
Cons: costs rise sharply in heavy winters, and disputes often come down to how many pushes were really needed.
3. Per-event contracts
You pay a set price per snowfall event, often tiered by accumulation (for example, one rate for a small event and a higher one for a large storm).
Pros: tracks the winter without counting every push.
Cons: you need a clear definition of when an event starts and ends.
4. Time and materials
You pay hourly rates for equipment and labour, plus materials such as salt.
Pros: flexible for unusual sites.
Cons: hardest to budget, and it gives the contractor little reason to limit hours or salt.
Contract type comparison
Seasonal (fixed): Budget certainty: High; Light winter: You pay full price; Heavy winter: Protected, unless caps are exceeded; Salt use incentive: Neutral to good
Per-push / per-visit: Budget certainty: Low; Light winter: Saves money; Heavy winter: Expensive; Salt use incentive: Depends on salt terms
Per-event: Budget certainty: Medium; Light winter: Saves money; Heavy winter: Rises with events; Salt use incentive: Depends on salt terms
Time and materials: Budget certainty: Low; Light winter: Saves money; Heavy winter: Expensive; Salt use incentive: Can encourage over-salting
Partners in Project Green, an Ontario sustainability program, warns that pricing salt per application or per amount can encourage over-salting. It recommends lump-sum seasonal contracts, fixed per-event contracts with standby pay, or a mix of the two.
What to put in writing
Landscape Ontario publishes a standard form snow and ice maintenance contract that many Ontario contractors and clients use as a starting point. Whatever form you use, make sure it covers:
Site map. Mark every area to be cleared: lots, drive aisles, sidewalks, ramps, loading docks, fire routes, and snow storage areas.
Trigger depth. The accumulation at which plowing starts, for example a few centimetres. Write it down.
Service levels and timing. Opening hours, priority areas (entrances and accessible parking first), and target completion times.
Salting and sanding. When salt is applied, whether pre-treatment or liquids are used, who supplies material, and how it's priced.
Snow storage and relocation. Where piles go, and whether hauling snow off site is extra.
Logs and documentation. Arrival and departure times, weather conditions, areas serviced and material applied for every visit. Landscape Ontario includes a sample daily log.
Insurance. The contractor's commercial general liability certificate, with your company as an additional insured if required.
WSIB clearance. A current WSIB clearance certificate (see below).
Indemnity. Landscape Ontario's guidance is that indemnity should generally be limited to the contractor's negligence or breach of contract.
Communication. Who to call, and how quickly the contractor responds to a call-out.
Ontario rules that affect your contract
The 60-day notice rule
Since January 29, 2021, Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act requires anyone injured by snow or ice on private property to give written notice within 60 days to the occupier or the snow contractor, with some exceptions. That makes good records more valuable than ever. If a notice arrives, you'll want the logs to show when the site was serviced and what was applied. We cover this in detail in commercial snow and ice in Ontario: the 60-day notice rule.
WSIB clearance certificates
A WSIB clearance certificate shows that a contractor is registered and in good standing with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. According to WSIB, a certificate is valid for up to 90 days, and it protects you from being held liable for the contractor's unpaid premiums during that period. Anyone can check one online. Ask for an updated certificate throughout the season, not just at signing.
Smart About Salt
The Smart About Salt Council certifies contractors and sites in salt management best practices. Certified contractors complete training on salt management, including record-keeping, and must renew. Asking for a Smart About Salt certified contractor is one way to show you're taking reasonable steps on both safety and environmental impact. Partners in Project Green also recommends calibrated spreaders.
How to choose for your property
Retail plazas and medical offices often need guaranteed opening-hour service and strong records. Seasonal contracts with clear caps are common.
Industrial sites with flexible hours may do well on per-event pricing.
Condo corporations need clear sidewalk and walkway terms, because residents walk the site at all hours.
Small offices and churches with limited budgets may prefer per-visit pricing with a clear trigger depth.
Local angle: London winters
London gets lake-effect snow off Lake Huron, so bands of heavy, localized snow can hit one part of the city while another stays clear. Freeze-thaw cycles and freezing rain mean ice control matters as much as plowing. A contract that only deals with snow depth and ignores ice is incomplete for this region.
Red flags when comparing quotes
Be cautious when a quote has no written trigger depth, doesn't mention logs, prices salt by the bag with no limits, or comes from a contractor who can't produce a current insurance certificate or WSIB clearance certificate. A low price can turn expensive if service is slow on a busy storm morning or if records are missing when a claim arrives.
Pre-season checklist for property managers
☐ Site map with all areas and snow storage marked
☐ Trigger depth and completion times agreed
☐ Salt application method and pricing in writing
☐ Daily logs required and shared with you
☐ Certificate of insurance on file
☐ Current WSIB clearance certificate on file
☐ Smart About Salt certification confirmed, if required
☐ Emergency contact and response time agreed
☐ Contract signed before the first snowfall
FAQ
What is the difference between seasonal and per-push snow contracts?
A seasonal contract charges a fixed price for the whole winter, often with caps. A per-push contract charges for each plowing visit, so costs rise and fall with the amount of snow.
Which snow contract type reduces over-salting?
Partners in Project Green recommends lump-sum seasonal contracts or fixed per-event contracts with standby pay, because pricing salt per application can encourage over-use.
What documents should a snow contractor provide?
At a minimum: a certificate of liability insurance, a current WSIB clearance certificate, and service logs for every visit. Smart About Salt certification is a plus.
How long is a WSIB clearance certificate valid?
WSIB says a clearance certificate is valid for up to 90 days. Ask for updated certificates throughout the season.
Why do snow logs matter in Ontario?
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act, written notice of a snow or ice injury must be given within 60 days. Detailed logs help show the site was properly maintained.
Book commercial snow service with SPM
SPM Landscape & Excavation has provided commercial snow plowing and ice control in London since 2006. We are WSIB covered, carry $1 million in liability insurance, and keep detailed service records. See all of our services, read what clients say on our testimonials page, call (519) 474-0008, or email spmlandscape@gmail.com.
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