Residential Snow Removal

Clearing snow at home is not one job. It is the driveway, then the walkway, then the steps, then the wall of packed snow the city plow leaves at the bottom of the driveway an hour after you finished. Green Crest Landscaping handles the whole sequence for homeowners in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket, Aurora and Thornhill, on planned residential routes that are kept separate from our commercial lots.

What residential snow removal includes

• Driveway plowing once snowfall reaches your trigger depth.
• Front walkway, porch and steps cleared by hand.
• Side paths to gates, garbage areas and backyard access, if requested.
• Windrow clearing at the end of the driveway after the city plow passes.
• Salting of walkways, steps and the driveway to prevent refreeze.
• Return visits during long storms so snow does not pack down under car tires.

Built for the way York Region homes are laid out

Double driveways and attached garages

Most detached homes in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan have a double driveway running straight to the garage. These are well suited to plowing, with hand clearing for the front walk and steps.

Townhomes and laneway garages

Townhouse rows and rear-laneway homes in communities like Cornell in Markham have narrow frontage and little room for snow. We agree on storage spots before the season so piles do not block neighbours or sightlines.

Long and sloped driveways

Larger lots in Kleinburg, Oak Ridges and parts of Aurora have long or sloped driveways where ice control matters as much as plowing. Salting at the top and bottom of the slope keeps cars and people from sliding.

Interlock and stamped concrete

Decorative surfaces are popular across York Region. We set equipment to suit the surface and discuss suitable ice control options at the quote.

How residential service works

1. Call or WhatsApp with your address. A photo of your driveway and front walk helps.
2. Quote. We confirm what is included, the trigger depth, windrow clearing and salting, and send a written quote before any work starts.
3. Marking. Driveway edges and garden beds are staked before the ground freezes.
4. Snow day. Your driveway is cleared on our residential route, aiming to have it open for the morning commute when snow ends overnight.
5. Follow-up. Windrow and salting visits as agreed in your plan.

Seasonal plan or per visit?

A seasonal plan covers the full winter for an agreed scope, so you never need to call during a storm and you are on the route from the first snowfall. A per-visit booking suits mild winters or occasional help, but in heavy storms plan customers are served first. Most homeowners who rely on a clear driveway every morning choose a seasonal plan. See seasonal snow removal contracts for details.

Who books residential snow removal

• Commuters who leave before the city has finished plowing.
• Seniors and anyone with back, heart or mobility concerns. Heavy shovelling is strenuous work, especially in cold weather.
• Families who travel during the winter break.
• Homeowners with long driveways or no room left to throw snow by February.
• Landlords who need rental properties kept clear for tenants.

Protecting your lawn and garden

Snow piled on the same patch of lawn all winter, plus salt spray from the driveway, can leave dead patches in spring. We stack snow where it does the least damage and keep salt on hard surfaces. A good fall cleanup before winter, with leaves removed and beds cut back, also helps the lawn recover faster once snow melts.

Residential snow removal by city

• Markham
• Richmond Hill
• Vaughan
• Newmarket
• Aurora
• Thornhill

Residential snow removal FAQs

How much snow before you come?

That is set by your trigger depth, agreed at the quote. Some homeowners want clearing after every snowfall, others only once a few centimetres have fallen.

Do you clear the end of the driveway after the city plow?

Yes, windrow clearing can be included in residential plans.

Will you shovel my steps and porch?

Yes. Front walkways, porches and steps are cleared by hand.

Do I need to move my car?

Moving cars into the garage or to one side gives the cleanest result. If a car stays put, we clear around it.

What about my mailbox and garbage bins?

Let us know where bins go on collection day and we can keep a path clear to the curb.

Can I add salting only when it is icy?

Yes. Salting can be automatic with every visit or on request.

Residential snow removal by home type

Detached homes with double driveways

The most common layout in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan subdivisions. We plow edge to edge from the garage to the road, clear the apron, clear the walkway and steps by hand and stack snow on the lawn side.

Semis and freehold townhomes

Short driveways side by side with very little snow storage. Snow is stacked on your own side, nothing is pushed onto the sidewalk or the neighbouring driveway, and the walkway is cleared by hand. See snow removal for townhouses and laneway homes.

Bungalows and older homes

Older streets in Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket and Thornhill have single or shared driveways, detached garages at the back and front steps close to the sidewalk. These need careful plowing beside the house and hand clearing on steps and porches.

Estate homes

Long, curved and circular driveways, interlock and stone, lighting along the edges and sometimes slopes. These are quoted by their layout, with edges marked before winter and surface-friendly ice control agreed in advance.

Homes with basement units

The side path and the steps down to a lower entrance need clearing too. Every path is listed in your quote. Landlords can read snow plans for rental properties.

Walkways, steps and the path to your door

The driveway gets the attention, but most falls happen on walkways and steps. Snow packs down on steps as people walk on it, and meltwater from the roof or snow banks freezes across walkways overnight. On residential visits, walkways and steps are cleared by hand to the surface, and salting is applied when it is part of your plan. Between visits, keep downspouts pointed away from paths and keep a small container of ice melt by the door. See how to prevent ice on a driveway and walkway.

Salting around pets, lawns and new concrete

Ice control keeps your family safe, but the product matters. Rock salt works well on most asphalt, but it can be hard on new concrete, natural stone, lawns along the driveway edge and pets’ paws. If you have new concrete, interlock or stone, or a dog that uses the front walk, tell us when you book and we will agree on a suitable product for those areas. See rock salt versus de-icers on concrete and interlock.

What affects your residential quote

• Driveway size and shape: single, double, triple, long or circular.
• Surface and slope: asphalt, concrete, interlock or stone, flat or graded.
• Walkways and entrances: front walk, steps, side paths and basement entrances.
• Windrow clearing and salting: included or on request.
• Snow storage: where snow can be stacked on your property.

Our guide to snow removal cost factors in York Region explains each one. You get a written quote before any work starts.

Residential snow removal in every city we serve

Each city has its own page with local neighbourhoods and housing: Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Aurora and Newmarket. For driveways in detail, see driveway snow removal.

More residential snow removal questions

Can you work around cars on the driveway?

Yes, but tell us in advance. Parked cars change how the driveway is plowed and what is cleared by hand.

Do you clear for seniors who should not shovel?

Yes. Mention it when you book and we will plan the walkway and steps first. See safer snow shovelling tips.

What should I do before the first snowfall?

Book early, clear leaves, mark the driveway and protect shrubs. See how to mark a driveway with snow stakes and how to protect shrubs and hedges.

What should I ask before hiring anyone?

See questions to ask a snow removal company.

Before you book residential snow removal

Have your address ready and take a few photos of the driveway, walkway, steps and any side or basement entrances. Note anything we should know: cars parked overnight, new concrete or interlock, slopes, pets that use the front walk, and anyone at home who should not shovel. Send it by WhatsApp to 647-617-4020 and you get a written quote that lists every area included.