How to Get Snow Removal Contracts (Before the First Storm)

The short answer

Most snow removal contracts are won in the fall, not in the storm. Re-sign last year's customers first, then add seasonal contracts on the streets you already service, get on a few property managers' lists, and answer every call and text the same day. Commercial and municipal bids are a separate game with more paperwork.

The rest of this page walks through each step, written for owner-operators around the GTA who plow or shovel residential driveways and a handful of small lots.

When snow contracts actually get signed

Homeowners and property managers want the winter sorted before it starts. Once the first big storm hits, the people without a contract are scrambling and the good crews are already full. That's why most operators start selling in late summer and fall and aim to have their route mostly booked before the first snowfall.

If you're reading this in November, you're not too late. You're just on the clock.

Start with last year's list

Your cheapest new contract is an old one. Last year's customers already know you showed up, and most of them would rather renew than shop around.

The re-sign message

Keep it short and send it by text, because that's what people actually read:

• Who you are and that you plowed for them last winter
• This season's price and what's included (driveway, walkway, salt, how often)
• One easy way to say yes: reply YES, or tap a link to sign
• A deadline, so it doesn't sit in their phone until December

Then follow up once or twice with anyone who doesn't answer. Most non-replies aren't a no. People are just busy.

Texting past customers in Canada

Canada's anti-spam law (CASL) covers commercial texts and emails. According to the CRTC's guidance, a purchase generally gives you implied consent to message that customer for two years, and an inquiry generally gives you six months. Every message should say who it's from and include a way to unsubscribe. This is general information, not legal advice.

Build route density

A snow route only makes money when the stops are close together. Ten driveways on two streets beat ten driveways spread across town, because every minute between stops is a minute you're not getting paid during a storm.

So market street by street, not city-wide:

Door hangers and neighbour referrals

Hit the houses beside, across from and behind your current customers. Mention that you're already on their street, which means you're in the neighbourhood the moment the snow stops. Ask happy customers to pass your name along, and give them a reason to with a small referral thank-you.

A seasonal contract page on your website

People who get a door hanger usually look you up before they call. Give them a page that answers everything: seasonal versus per-push pricing, what triggers a visit (for example, a set amount of snowfall), what's included, your service area and how to sign up. Add a short form or a tap-to-call button and make sure every inquiry gets a reply the same day.

If you run a landscaping company in summer, your snow pages can live on the same site as your landscaping website design, which keeps your customers with you year round.

Small commercial lots and property managers

Plazas, small office buildings, churches, townhouse complexes and low-rise apartment buildings often hire one snow company for the whole season. The paperwork is heavier, but one signed lot can anchor a route.

Guides from Fieldwynn and Granum list what these buyers usually ask for:

• A certificate of liability insurance
• A WSIB clearance certificate
• Your equipment list and backup plan if a truck goes down
• References from similar properties
• A site plan showing where snow gets piled, and your response times

Have that package ready as a PDF before you start calling. Property managers remember the contractor who made their job easy.

Municipal and public tenders

Towns, school boards and public agencies post snow clearing work as public bids, on MERX and on each municipality's own bid portal. Sites like snow.ca also collect open Ontario snow tenders. These contracts can be big, but they're competitive, the requirements are strict and the bid deadlines are often well before winter. For most small operators, residential and small commercial work is the better place to start.

Don't lose contracts to missed calls in a storm

The busiest snow days are exactly when you can't answer the phone. You're in the truck from 3 AM and a new customer calls at 7. If they hit voicemail, they call the next company.

Missed Call Text Back sends that caller a text as soon as you miss them, so they know you got the message and you can sign them up once you're out of the truck. Pair that with review requests after the season, and next fall's door hangers come with proof attached. Our guide to getting more Google reviews covers the timing and the rules.

How WorkWon helps snow removal companies

WorkWon builds snow companies a website and a lead system for one flat monthly price. With One-Click Marketing Campaigns, the whole re-sign text above goes to last year's list with one button. Automated Lead Follow Up chases the people who didn't answer, and Missed Call Text Back covers storm days. See the full setup on our snow removal website page, or read more ways contractors get leads.

Working the east end or York Region? We build for snow crews in Durham Region and Richmond Hill.

Pricing

Snow season is short, and so is the build.

• $247 a month, billed yearly ($2,964).
• Or $297 month to month.
• Google Ads are separate.

See what's included.

How it works

1. Demo call. 20 minutes.
2. Build. 7 to 10 days.
3. Launch call. 25 minutes.

Want your route re-signed before the first flakes? Book a call.