7 Questions to Ask a Snow Removal Company Before You Hire

By ResiSnow · Updated October 2026 · Windsor, CT

Every winter, we get calls from homeowners whose "snow guy" vanished mid-January. The driveway's buried, the phone goes to voicemail, and there's no contract to fall back on. Hiring a snow removal company is a trust decision — you're handing over your winter mornings, your commute, your kids getting to school on time. Before you sign anything, ask these seven questions. If the company you're interviewing is us, call (860) 812-7669 — we'll answer every one of them in writing, gladly.

1. Are you insured? Ask for the certificate.

If a plow clips your mailbox, cracks a retaining wall, or damages a neighbor's fence, whose problem is that? Ask to see the certificate of insurance — not "oh yeah, we're covered," but the actual certificate. A legitimate residential operator hands it over without blinking. If someone dodges the question or says "never had a problem," that's your answer right there. We carry insurance and we're happy to show you the certificate before you sign anything.

2. What is your trigger depth?

This is the number of inches of snow that has to fall before they come out. Some companies won't move until 3 or 4 inches, which means you're shoveling the first half of every storm yourself. Our trigger depth is 1.5 inches: if it snows, we're coming — no need to call, no need to wonder. If a company can't give you a specific number, they don't have a real policy, and you'll be guessing all winter.

3. How many visits per storm?

One pass at the start of a blizzard doesn't cut it — the snow keeps falling and you wake up buried anyway. Our Basic seasonal package includes two visits per storm, timed to work the whole event. Our Premium package includes three visits on a set schedule — 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM — so your driveway stays clear through a full day of snow. Ask any company you interview: do they come once and disappear, or do they work the entire storm? Get the number in writing.

4. What is your backup plan if equipment breaks?

Trucks and snowblowers break at the worst possible time — that's just winter. The real question isn't whether equipment fails; it's what happens when it does. Does the company have backup machines or help lined up? Or are you sitting at the end of a route that isn't getting cleared until Thursday? Ask directly. A one-truck operator with no backup isn't wrong — but you deserve to know that before the first blizzard, not during it.

5. Is salting included, or extra?

Snow is only half the problem. Ice is the other half, and it's the dangerous one. Some companies quote a low plowing price and then charge a premium every time salt goes down — or they don't offer salting at all. Our salting is priced per application: driveway $55 (salt), walkway up to 20 feet $55 (calcium chloride), sidewalk $105 (calcium chloride), long driveway $125 (salt). Premium seasonal packages include salting. Whatever you choose, make sure salting is addressed in writing so you're never surprised by the add-ons. Prices reflect current fuel, insurance, and operating costs and are subject to change.

6. Do I get a written contract with the terms?

Verbal agreements are worth exactly what they cost. A real snow removal contract spells out the trigger depth, the number of visits per storm, what counts as a "visit," salting terms, payment terms, and the season dates. We put everything in writing. For a full breakdown of what belongs in that contract, read our snow removal contract guide — then compare it against whatever the next company hands you.

7. What happens in an over-6-inch storm?

Big storms are when companies reveal who they really are. Each of our visits covers up to 6 inches of snow. In a bigger storm, that visit is billed as two — because it's genuinely twice the work. Heavy, wet snow carries a 25% surcharge for the extra weight and time. None of this is hidden; it's in the contract before you sign. If a company can't tell you what they charge when the storm goes big, you'll find out when the bill arrives. That's not a position you want to be in.

The quick test: a company that answers all seven of these — clearly and in writing — is a keeper. If you get vague answers, verbal-only promises, or attitude about being asked, keep looking. Curious what all this costs in practice? See our snow removal cost breakdown for Windsor and East Windsor.

A company should be happy to be interviewed. Your driveway is your lifeline all winter — the people clearing it should be able to prove they take that seriously. Call ResiSnow at (860) 812-7669. We serve Windsor and East Windsor, CT, and we'd rather earn your trust in October than apologize to you in February.