Winter is coming, and so is the bill. If you pay a private company to clear your driveway, expect to pay more this season. According to CTV News, snow-clearing companies in the Montreal area say higher fuel and equipment costs are pushing their prices up.
Why Prices Are Rising
Most snow-clearing machines run on diesel, and Laval operator Mike Michos of MICO Incorporated, a family business that clears about 2,000 properties in Sainte-Dorothée and Chomedey, told CTV that fuel has gone up about 70 per cent. His company isn’t passing all of that on: he described an increase of roughly 10 to 15 per cent for clients.
Jean-Roch Cardinal of the Association des Déneigeurs Résidentiels et Commerciaux du Québec told CTV that about 15 per cent is the average increase, pointing to fuel, machinery and even engine oil and filters.
What It Could Cost You
In that area of Laval, Michos said a single driveway runs about $400 for the season and a double driveway about $500, depending on the equipment used. Prices vary by company, neighbourhood and driveway size, so get more than one quote.
Read the Fine Print
- Snowfall caps: Some contracts add a surcharge after a set amount of snow. Michos’s contracts, for example, include an extra charge if the season passes 220 centimetres.
- Fewer extras: Some companies told CTV they will cut “courtesy passes” to save fuel.
- Ask before you sign: what triggers a visit, how fast they come after a storm, and whether a surcharge clause applies.
The City’s Side of the Street
Your driveway is your business, but the streets are the city’s. Montreal recently announced a $15.8M plan to modernize winter road maintenance, including 43 new snow removal machines and a real-time tracking platform. See our breakdown: Is Montreal Finally Ready for Winter?.
As Cardinal put it, Mother Nature will decide whether this is a make-or-break year for some companies. Stay on top of local news on MTL365 News. Bon courage, Montréal!
More on MTL365
- Habs Night Out: 12 Montreal Bars and Restaurants to Watch the Canadiens (and Eat Well)
- Plan Ahead: 8 November Festivals in Montreal Worth Marking on Your Calendar
- Game Day: Habs Host the Sharks Tonight Looking for a Third Straight Win
- More Montreal news on MTL365
Photo: Jeangagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources: CTV News
