Canada2006

I was wondering what the pros and cons were of using a snow removal company versus just buying an awning (Tempos they call them here) for the car?

Is it worthwhile getting both?

Souvenir

How big is your driveway?

Canada2006

It's a double drive wide and you can just fit two cars deep.

iaink

Be carefull. Awnings have been known to collapse under the weight of the snow. Last year was particularly bad.

They just are not designed for snow loading. People have actually been killed and injured.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/...6746d0&k=16161

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/st...rcollapse.html

iaink

Thats not a lot. If you cant just shovel it yourself get a snowblower?

Souvenir

Sounds like mine and most of the others in my neighbourhood. I can only think of one place that had an awning last winter and I'm not aware of any house that uses a contractor. What does that tell you?

Canada2006

It's interesting that not many people in your neighbourhood have snow removal. A rough guess looking at all the sticks in the ground, about 60% of the houses in our new neighbourhood have contracted out for snow removal. A few, and it's relatively few, have awnings. A friend swears by hers.

LotteW

I get the kids to clear mine.... amazing what they will do for money

Canada2006

I just can't see that happening A three year old and a one year old.

Maybe in a few years, but I'm not sure they'll get up at 6am to clear the car before going to work

Souvenir

I'm not sure why it is, either. We get lots of snow and it's hardly a poor neighbourhood. MIL and SIL live in St Hubert. Up there, every other house seems to have sticks or a shelter.

Souvenir

I get the neighbours to do mine. Amazing what they'll do for duty free cognac, fresh fruit & veg and surplus furniture/building materials.

Canada2006

Maybe there are no contracters serving the area? As there are no contractors, no one takes one and because no one takes one, there are no contractors! There's an opportunity there...

BristolUK

I thought those were a guide for edges and things for everyone. Are they really just for contractors?

We've been here for three winters now. With some help from the kids I have managed with shovels/pushers on all but one occasion, when I paid $46 to have the whole driveway cleared. That was with last winter's ridiculous snowfalls, one after the other.

I don't drive but I always clear an area for a vehicle to park and a pathway to the garage so I can get my bike out. I still cycle in the winter.

I'm amazed at the 'contractor rate' I see advertised. The 'one-off' $25 for an area around a car becomes $400 seasonally. That's the equivalent of 16 clearances before you get your money's worth. It doesn't really seem worth it unless it gets you priority and you absolutely must have that priority.

Souvenir

Some houses have the sticks, so there are contractors. It's just that not many houses have the sticks.

Canada2006

We've been quoted around $240 for the season payable in two instalments. They pass by at the latest for 6.30am. $400 seems a lot.