Question 1

I only need vacation coverage. Can you do that?

Accepted Answer

You can sign up for as little as one month of service. We usually recommend booking the service to overlap your vacation with a bit of time on each side. That way you get a little break from shovelling as you're preparing to go and when you're settling back in.

Question 2

I'm not home, how will I know you're coming and when the work is done?

Accepted Answer

You'll get an email notification when your crew is dispatched and when the work is done, with pictures of the freshly cleared paths, sidewalks, and driveway. You can also log in to track your crew as they work towards you.

Question 3

What communities do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We offer residential snow removal for all communities within the city limits of Markham.

Question 4

Do you serve commercial, acreage, or multi-family properties?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately our crews aren't equipped for commercial sites or acreages. We will clear multi-family properties up to the size of a 4-plex.

Question 5

You missed a spot!

Accepted Answer

Oops! Please send us a quick note at service@propertywerks.ca or through the chat box so we can come fix it.

Question 6

What is the difference between Standard, Premium, and Express service levels?

Accepted Answer

Standard snow removal sites are cleared within 24 hours after the snow stops falling and are at the end of the route.

Premium customers are given a higher priority in the route (cleared up to 8 hours earlier), and are cleared up to once per day during multi-day events with over 5 cm of accumulation.

Express clients get everything Premium clients do, but space is limited and they're cleared up to 12 hours earlier.

Question 7

There are a couple extra areas I would like cleared. Can you do them?

Accepted Answer

For sure! Simply describe the areas in the comment section when making your booking. Our team will confirm any additional charges with you before approving your booking.

Question 8

Am I locked into a snow removal contract?

Accepted Answer

It's a long winter season across Canada. Usually we see five months of snow, but that doesn't mean you have to be locked into a snow removal contract for the whole time. For our snow removal services there is a one-month minimum commitment, and no penalty for cancelling.

Question 9

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

There's no penalty for cancelling. Just let us know you'd like to terminate your service before your next monthly payment.

Question 10

What is ice melt and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Ice melt is a form of salt that works by lowering the freezing point of water. A sprinkle of salt on your sidewalk melts light snowfall and combats icy patches.

If you add ice melt to your service, it will be applied as needed when your crew is out clearing a fresh snowfall. No special visits are made between snowfalls to put down ice melt.

Question 11

What is the cost of residential snow removal?

Accepted Answer

Residential snow removal from a reputable company in Canada will be between $170-$300+ per month for a standard size lot, depending on how many areas need clearing.

Among similar businesses, our rates are very competitive. For our elderly and mobility-impaired clients, snow removal isn't a luxury but a necessary service. We endeavor to keep our prices as fair as possible.

While there are some great deals to be had browsing the classifieds, if you need a reliable service that is accountable and can prove the work is being done, even while you're not at home, you may want to hire us.

Question 12

Do you come out a limited number of times per month and charge extra for the additional times?

Accepted Answer

We come out as many times as needed. There is no extra charge beyond a certain number of visits—just your flat monthly rate.

Question 13

Do you have a surcharge for heavy snowfalls?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't charge more when it snows more, just your flat monthly rate. If you've signed up for our service before a heavy snowfall, it's service as usual. If you're joining our routes after some accumulation has built up, there may be a one-time surcharge to "reset" your property before starting regular service.

Please note that snowfalls in excess of 10 cm are exempt from our time guarantees. Try as we might, these days always take longer than expected, as moving through the city is considerably slower.

Question 14

I have a few properties I would like service for. Do you have a volume discount?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 5% discount for 3-6 properties and a 10% discount for 6+. Simply book each property using the same contact details and they'll all be linked to your account.

When your bookings are received our team will apply the appropriate discount to each property before approving them.

Question 15

When will my snow be cleared?

Accepted Answer

It depends when the snow stops and what service level you select.

With Standard service you'll be cleared within 24 hr after the snow ends. Premium clients are cleared up to 8 hours earlier and Express clients up to 12 hours earlier.

Because snowfall timing varies, Express and Premium sites are given higher priority in the route, but are not guaranteed to be cleared by a specific clock time.

In the event of extreme cold or snowfalls over 10 cm, time windows may be suspended as the roads often impede our crews. However, sites will still be cleared in order of priority: Express, Premium, then Standard.

Question 16

If it snows for several days in a row, how often do you come out?

Accepted Answer

If you book Premium or Express service, we will remove your snow once per day during multi-day snowfalls of at least 2 cm per day. For Standard sites we'll be out once the snow has fully stopped.

Question 17

How early in the day do you come out?

Accepted Answer

It depends on when the snow stops falling. Crews are dispatched as early as 6 am.

Question 18

Is snow removed within 24 hours after it starts snowing, or after it stops snowing?

Accepted Answer

Crews are dispatched after it stops snowing.

For Premium and Express clients, we come out once a day while it's still snowing if the snowfall is over 2 cm and is forecast to continue for more than 24 hours.

Question 19

When are crews dispatched?

Accepted Answer

Crews are most often dispatched first thing in the morning after a snowfall has ended.

For multi-day snowfalls over 2 cm per day, the crew will be dispatched each day for Premium and Express sites, and after the snowfall has ended for Standard sites. Sites are never cleared more than once per day.

Ex. 1) It snows from 1 pm to 5 pm on Monday
Crews will begin first thing Tuesday morning, clearing Express, Premium, then Standard sites.

Ex. 2) It snows over 5 cm between 4 am and 8 pm on Monday
Crews start Monday morning for mid-snow service on Express and Premium sites. Crews will go out again Tuesday morning to clear Express, Premium and Standard sites.

Ex. 3) It snows from 9 am to 11 am on Monday
Crews begin late Monday morning clearing Express, Premium then Standard sites. Your property will be cleared later in the day than normal because of the late start.

Question 20

Why aren't crews dispatched in the afternoon?

Accepted Answer

Since a route can take as long as 9 hours to complete, and we're working exclusively in residential areas, our clients (and their neighbours) normally prefer us not to be on their property late into the night.

Question 21

What order are sites cleared in?

Accepted Answer

Sites are always cleared in order of priority: Express, Premium and then Standard.

Question 22

What equipment do you use?

Accepted Answer

Everything to get the job done! For snow clearing we use shovels, backpack blowers, snow-throwing machines, and ice chippers. We use commercial-grade equipment made by TORO that has poly blades so it won't cause any damage. We also developed proprietary software to create the most efficient routes and send you timely notifications.

Question 23

Are windrows, packed snow, ice buildup, or wind-blown snow included?

Accepted Answer

Windrows from city plows, packed snow (from before your service start date), ice buildup (between services) and wind-blown snow (absent a fresh snowfall) are not included by default.

Because these conditions don't occur equally at all properties, they are not included in the base price. If you need one of these items cleared, please contact the office and we can arrange a crew for an hourly charge.

Unlimited snow removal in Markham.

Flat-rate residential snow removal trusted by your friends, family, and neighbours in Markham and across Canada.

Over 300,000 driveways cleared since 2008.

How does it work?

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Why choose us?

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Frequently asked questions

General

Booking

Pricing

Service

Neighbourhoods we serve

Some of the neighbourhoods and areas we regularly serve include:

Winter conditions in Markham

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