When you hire a snow removal company in Chicago, you'll usually choose between two pricing models: a flat seasonal plan or pay-per-storm. Here's how they differ, and how to pick the one that fits your property and your budget.
Pay-per-storm: you pay for each visit
With pay-per-storm (sometimes called per-push), you're billed each time a crew comes out. It can feel appealing in a mild winter — if it barely snows, you barely pay. The catch is that you carry all the risk the other way too: in a heavy Chicago winter with storm after storm, the per-visit bills stack up fast and unpredictably. You're also typically lower in the priority queue than seasonal customers, which means you wait longer during the storms when clearing matters most.
Seasonal plan: one flat price, fully covered
A seasonal plan is a single flat price for the entire winter. Every qualifying snowfall is cleared automatically — no per-visit billing, no decisions to make at 5am, no surprises. You get budget certainty (the price is the same whether it's a light winter or a brutal one), priority service ahead of pay-as-you-go customers, and the peace of mind that your property is simply handled.
Which one is right for you?
For most Chicago homeowners and nearly every commercial or multi-unit property, a seasonal plan wins. If your property sees real foot traffic, carries liability, or simply needs to be reliably clear every morning, the predictability and priority of a seasonal plan are worth far more than the gamble of per-storm billing. Pay-per-storm makes sense mainly for occasional, low-stakes needs.
How Snow Pushers does it
Our season plans are flat-rate and priced to your specific property. You pick your trigger depth — Zero Tolerance (bare pavement), 1″, 2″, or 4″ — and we handle every storm all winter for one price. Want to spread the cost? We offer monthly payment options so your winter coverage fits your budget. Either way, you're covered start to finish.