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Frequently Asked Questions
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What areas do you service?
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What areas do you service?
Do you use plows or snow blowers?
What is the minimum snowfall amount before you provide service?
Do you have a seasonal snowfall limit? And, what is your policy once this limit is reached?
What is the term of your contract?
Will my driveway be cleared before 6:30 AM?
What if the city plows come by after you've already cleared my driveway?
If I call during a snowstorm, will there be someone in the office to answer the phone?
How can we contact you?
Do you offer any discounts?
What are your prices?
What methods of payment do you accept?
Are you insured?
How many tractors do you have?
Do you have any references?
Is there a problem if a car is parked on my driveway?
My driveway is gravel. Can you still snowblow it?
Does your equipment make a lot of noise?
Your equipment looks big! Will it damage my driveway or grass?
Will your equipment damage my interlocking stone?
What about water valves on my driveway?
What is your repair policy?
Do you spread salt on the driveway if it is icy?
Do you offer walkway service?
When are the driveway markers installed and removed?
Your driver is blowing snow on my neighbour's property. What can be done about this?
What training do your drivers receive?
If I am at the end of a route does this mean I will get poor service?
If I move mid-way through the season can I get my money back on the contract?
What is the average amount of snow Ottawa receives each year?
Weather Stats since 1938
Do you offer any summer programs?
Is the Snow Doctor hiring?
What areas do you service?
We service, Rothwell heights, Rockliff Mews, Vanier
West of blair, east of the rideau Rideau River, u can check out our service area map.
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Do you use plows or snow blowers?
We only use snow blowers. Our tractors are equipped with 6.5 ft-wide rear-mounted blowers in particular, which give our drivers more flexibility in terms of placement of the snow and more space in which to place it! In other words the issue with not having enough space to put the snow or having to put it only in a pile on the corner of your driveway is avoided. Furthermore, blowers cut much straighter edges through the snow than do plows allowing for a much neater and tidier finished product.
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What is the minimum snowfall amount before you provide service?
Our minimum snowfall amount is 5 cms. We are obligated to go out whenever the city plows do however, so if they are out for less, throwing an amount of snow up at the end of your driveway that warrants a cleaning, we will be there to remove it.
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Do you have a seasonal snowfall limit? And, what is your policy once this limit is reached?
Yes, our contract will cover you for service up to 300 cms (10 Ft) of snow for the season. We reserve the right to invoke a surcharge for accumulations in excess of this limit. The surcharge is a flat rate and represents an amount which is proportionate to the contract amount already charged and the amount of excess accumulation received. Surcharges also vary according to driveway size.
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What is the term of your contract?
From FIRST to LAST snowfall. Yes, that's right. If it snows on April 15th to any accumulation we will be there!
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Will my driveway be cleared before 6:30 AM?
Although we would love to be able to guarantee a 6:30 AM arrival time it would be deceptive advertising to do so, as we cannot guarantee when the snow will start! Obviously the later the snow starts the later we start. In order to predict our arrival time on your driveway therefore, assume the following. We will wait at least 2 hours for enough snow to fall (at least 3 cms) before we will send our tractors out. You can then add another 5 hours onto this time (if you are at the very end of a route) and this will be the latest you can realistically expect to see us for your first cleaning:
Snowfall Start Time Latest Kodiak Arrival Time
10-11 PM 6:30 AM
11:30 PM-12:30 AM 8 AM
1-2 AM 9:30 AM
2:30-3:30 AM 11 AM
For instance, if it starts snowing before midnight you can see that all driveways above are cleared once before 6:30 am. If it only starts to snow after midnight however, we will not send our tractors out until at least 2-3AM, meaning that 75% of our driveways will be cleared by 6:30 AM and the other 25% by 8:00 AM. Of course, when the snow starts at only 3AM or 4AM we won't send the tractors out until 6 AM! Usually by this time there isn't enough snow to prevent anyone from getting out of his/her driveway. In the event of an emergency, if our tractor has not yet passed by and you foresee having a problem getting out of your driveway, please give us a call and we will dispatch a tractor directly to your location. Otherwise, if you can wait, please use the chart above to guage when you can consistently expect to see us.
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What if the city plows come by after you've already cleared my driveway?
We perform repeat cleanups after the city plows. In other words, if we come through for a first cleaning at 6 AM you can expect to see us come back through again by 11 AM to clear away the bank of snow left at the end of your driveway by the city plow. If you need to get out before we naturally make it around for our second cleaning please call the office and we will dispatch a tractor to your location within a half hour. Otherwise please be patient. We will naturally swing back around again within that 4-5 hour timeframe.
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If I call during a snowstorm, will there be someone in the office to answer the phone?
Yes we generally have 1 person answering phonecalls during snowstorms and offer 24/7 customer service. If you receive an answering machine when you call it is most probably because we are on the line with another caller. If this is the case please either leave us a message (which will be returned as promptly as possible) or feel free to try back again within a few minutes You will generally get through on your second try.
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How can we contact you?
Phone is the preferred method as it guarantees faster results than email, but we are also reachable by email, or in person. Please click on contact for further details.
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Do you offer any discounts?
Yes! There are a number of ways in which you can save a lot of $$ when you sign a snow contract with the Snow Doctor. For instance:
Neighbour Referral Program - Refer a neighbour and you both receive a $20 credit towards your snow contract.
Early Bird Discount - Pay the full amount of your contract before Oct. 1st and receive a $20 discount.
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What are your prices?
Our prices are - $299 (Single Driveway), $399 (Double Driveway), $449 (Triple Driveway), etc. - and we continue to offer both the $20 discount for signing up early (before Oct. 1st) and the $20 Neighbour Referral Credit!
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What methods of payment do you accept?
Cheque, Credit Card (Visa or MC only) or cash.
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Are you insured?
Yes, every business in the industry is required to carry what is called CGL or Commercial General Liability insurance. Without this a company cannot obtain a snow removal permit from the City of Ottawa. We are insured for $2,000,000.
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How many tractors do you have?
This year we will have 4 tractors and 5 snow blowers
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Do you have any references?
Yes, please feel free to call our office to obtain a list of names and telephone numbers of individuals who have volunteered to act as references for our services.
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Is there a problem if a car is parked on my driveway?
No, our drivers are trained to work around them. And, generally, by the time the driver makes his second pass (4-5 hours later) parked cars have usually been moved allowing for full cleaning of driveway. If you expect to have a car on the driveway when we arrive we recommend that you make sure to place it as close to the top and side of the driveway as possible to allow the driver maximum accessibility, or to move it onto the street if possible. If not the driver will at least clear away behind where the car is parked including any snow banks left by the city plow. *Please note, for the sake of efficiency, that we do not ask our drivers to get out of their tractors and knock on your door to get you to move your vehicle(s).
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My driveway is gravel. Can you still snowblow it?
Yes, however you should be aware that some of the gravel on your driveway may get blown onto your lawn. Although our drivers make every effort to be as careful as possible it is impossible to avoid some gravel displacement until the ground freezes and the stones harden into place.
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Does your equipment make a lot of noise?
Believe it or not our equipment makes 1/10th the noise of a traditional walk-behind snow blower! Plus, we are in and out of your driveway in under 2 minutes minimizing the amount of disturbance caused to both you and your neighbors. In all likelihood you probably won't even realize that we are there!
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Your equipment looks big! Will it damage my driveway or grass?
No. The tractor and blower will not crack your asphalt or interlocking stone. Although it looks large the weight of the machine is evenly distributed over the extra large surface area of its tires, so that there is actually more weight per square inch being applied to your asphalt by your own car than by our tractors! And, our drivers are trained to lower their blowers in a controlled manner so that unnecessary jolts to the asphalt by the blower are minimized during the snow blowing process. Furthermore, driveway markers are installed on the edges of your driveway to identify the boundaries of the asphalt so that the drivers do not drive on your grass! Snow blowing with a tractor is one of the gentlest methods in the industry at the moment for clearing snow from your driveway!
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Will your equipment damage my interlocking stone?
Of all equipment available on the market today the snow blower is the most 'interlock friendly'. If your interlock is uneven, minor scratching or discoloration may occur, however by equipping our blowers with Teflon/Stainless blades we have further reduced the risk of this from occurring!
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What about water valves on my driveway?
What about water valves on my driveway?
It is the responsibility of the home owner to make sure that if any water valve caps are protruding the driveway to contact the City of Ottawa at (613) 580-2400. You will need to request that they send a service technician by to lower the pipe and cap to the level of the asphalt. If the cap is not flush with the level of the driveway it may very likely get picked off and blown onto the lawn! So, please make sure that the city takes care of this in advance of the first snow. Otherwise, once snow arrives and covers the surface, this issue is not apparent and the city may charge you for repairs in the Spring.
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What is your repair policy?
Our drivers are required to report any damages caused to your property on their worksheets at the time of the incident. This information is then extracted from the worksheet at the end of the shift and logged for repair in the spring unless it is of a more urgent nature. Exclusions to this rule include any and all items left in the immediate work area of our equipment (i.e. on the driveway). Examples would be flower pots/planters, downspouts, recycling bins, garbage cans, basketball nets, children's toys, and extension cords. Although our office or driver will usually report a damage directly to you at the time of the incident we always encourage you to verify with the office the day after the snow storm as well if you have any concerns.
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Do you spread salt on the driveway if it is icy?
No, salt has been known to cause grass damage. If it is applied to the surface of your driveway it will be dispersed onto your lawn during subsequent visits to your property with our snowblowers. In the event of freezing rain therefore, it is the homeowner's responsibility to apply any necessary abrasives.
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Do you offer walkway service?
when u take the sidewalk service, it also includes the front of the garage door that the tractor was not able to clear. (normally about a foot in front of the garage door)
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When are the driveway markers installed and removed?
All of our driveway markers go up by November 1st and are generally removed during the first week of April. Please do not throw the markers away. If you would like to remove them yourself prior to April we ask that you kindly lay them down beside your garage and we will collect them when we arrive.
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Your driver is blowing snow on my neighbour's property. What can be done about this?
Please notify our office the day after the snowstorm when you see this happen. We will bring it to the attention of the driver and make sure that is does not happen again. Please do not hesitate to let us know about this. Otherwise the longer the pattern is repeated the harder it is correct.
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What training do your drivers receive?
The most thorough in the business! In October every year each new recruit is trained on the navigation of his route, familiarized with the technical aspects of his equipment, with hours of practical driving exercises, and thoroughly briefed on safeprovided ty issues surrounding both the public and himself. He is supplied with both literature and hands-on training, so don't be surprised if you see a couple of Snow Doctor tractors out on the road pre- snow! No, the drivers aren't crazy, they're just practicing. We believe that preparedness reduces stress, the opportunity for damage, and the loss of time, which ultimately translates into the delivery of better service to our customers.
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If I am at the end of a route does this mean I will get poor service?
No, the service is the same for every one of our customers; just the timing is different. And, we try to 'flipflop' our routes every 2nd to 3rd snowstorm so that if you were at the end of a route one time you might be at the beginning the next time! Or, if you are in the middle of a route and it seems that we are consistently arriving too late for your needs we can reposition you on that route. Our routes are logistically organized to be able to deliver service as efficiently as possible based upon your geographic location. No preference is given or favoritism exercised. Everyone has equal priority.
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If I move mid-way through the season can I get my money back on the contract?
No. If you move to a location within our service zone, we will transfer the service to your new address, or if not, try to get the new owners at your old address to assume payment for the balance of the contract. In the event that the new residents at the old address do not wish to take over the contract however, we will not issue a refund. The contract between The Snow Doctor and yourself is for an entire season unless stipulated otherwise.
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What is the average amount of snow Ottawa receives each year?
Environment Canada reports an average of 191.28 cms for the past 5 years of snowfall. If you would like information on any other period please click on the following link: http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/menu_e.html?timeframe=3&Prov=ON&StationID=9999&Year=2003&Month=11&Day=23
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Weather Stats since 1938
Please feel free to look through our compiled listing of information on annual accumulation amounts and 5-year averages since 1938. Click on weather stats for more details.
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Do you offer any summer programs?
Yes, The Snow Doctor offers lawn cutting and - in conjunction with the Lawn Doctor - fertilization, liming, slit seeding, over-seeding, grub control, chinch bug control, and ant & earwig suppression. Please check back in the Spring for current promotions relating to these services.
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Is the Snow Doctor hiring?
Yes, we are always looking for reliable, conscientious, hard-working, and honest staff. Please click on jobs for more information regarding available positions and remunerations offered.
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