Snow bids for the same Burlington plaza can differ by thousands of dollars, and often the low number is simply a smaller scope. One bid includes salt and walkways, another bills them separately, and a third leaves out the side entrance altogether. Below are 2026-27 price ranges, then a straight way to make those bids comparable before you sign.
What commercial snow removal costs in Burlington
| Property | Per plow visit | Per salt visit | Seasonal, Nov 15 to Apr 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small plaza or office, up to about 20 parking spaces | $150 - $350 | $100 - $250 | $4,000 - $9,000 |
| Mid-size plaza, condo or industrial unit, about 20 to 60 spaces | $300 - $700 | $250 - $500 | $9,000 - $22,000 |
| Large site, over 60 spaces | By quote after a site visit | ||
Those ranges will move with the size of the lot, its layout and your opening time. Industrial units along the QEW and 407 tend to be simple, open plowing. Condominiums with narrow roads, parked cars and many entrances are slower and cost more per space. Burlington has no long-term weather station, but it sits between Hamilton airport's 156.5 cm of snow a year and Pearson's 108.5 cm, and the ridge above the escarpment often gets more than the lakeshore.
How to compare snow bids
Ask every contractor to fill in the same sheet:
| Ask | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|
| What is the trigger depth? | A 2 cm trigger means many more visits than 5 cm. |
| What is the clear-by time? | Open by 7 a.m. takes more equipment than "within 6 hours". |
| Is salt included? How is it called out? | Salt can match or exceed plowing cost in an icy winter. |
| Which walks, steps and ramps are included? | Hand work is slow and is the first thing left out. |
| Who pays for haul-out? | A full lot can mean $150 to $250 per machine hour. |
| What records do you send? | You need them if a claim arrives months later. |
| What happens above a set snowfall? | Capped contracts can add charges in a heavy year. |
Choosing a contract type
- Seasonal: the same monthly payment however much it snows. Easy to budget, good for condo reserve planning.
- Per push and per salt: you pay for what happens. Good in a light winter, risky in a heavy one.
- Capped seasonal: a fixed price up to a stated snowfall, then an agreed rate.
City of Burlington rules
The City plows sidewalks after 5 cm, and during a declared Snow Event it bans on-street parking so crews can work. Snow from a private lot may not be shovelled, plowed or blown onto or across the road. Keep piles on the property, clear of sightlines at the driveway, hydrants and catch basins. City service pages change from year to year, so we suggest confirming the details for your location with Service Burlington, including any sidewalk frontage questions.
Salt, surfaces and certification
Salt protects people, and overuse costs you money: it wears out concrete curbs, stains entrances and kills the shrubs along the lot. Spreaders should be calibrated and the amount recorded. The Smart About Salt Council trains and certifies contractors, operators and certified sites in Ontario, and its directories are public. It is a reasonable thing to ask about in any bid, along with liability insurance and WSIB clearance.
What records protect you from
Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act generally stops a snow or ice injury lawsuit unless written notice with the date, time and location reaches the occupier or snow contractor within 60 days. It does not apply if the person dies, and a judge can allow late notice in some cases, so do not throw out your logs on day 61. The usual two year limitation period still applies. Timed visit logs, weather notes and salt quantities are what let you and your insurer respond with facts.
Where we work in Burlington
Aldershot, Plains Road, downtown, Fairview, Appleby, Millcroft, Alton and the north Burlington business parks. Homeowners can use our Burlington snow removal page, and summer care is covered on Burlington commercial landscaping.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial snow removal cost in Burlington?
About $150 to $350 per plow visit for a small site and $300 to $700 for a mid-size site in 2026-27. Seasonal contracts run about $4,000 to $22,000 by size.
Why are snow removal bids so different?
Usually scope. Trigger depth, clear-by time, salt, hand-cleared walks and haul-out can all be in one bid and missing from another.
What is a capped seasonal snow contract?
A fixed price up to an agreed snowfall total, with a set rate for anything beyond it. It limits the risk for both sides.
Can a plow push snow onto the road in Burlington?
No. Snow from private property may not be pushed onto or across the road. Piles should stay on site, clear of sightlines, hydrants and catch basins.
What is Smart About Salt?
A Canadian training and certification program for salt use, run by the Smart About Salt Council. It covers contractors, operators and sites, with public directories.
How long should I keep snow removal records?
At least through the two year limitation period. Ask your insurer or lawyer if your site needs longer.