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Answers to Common Questions from

Our Loyal Customers

You have questions and we have answers. On this page, we answer some of the most common questions we have received from our customers over the years. Take a moment to browse through these common questions; if you can’t find an answer to your specific question, feel free to contact us anytime.

What areas do you serve?

South-East Ottawa, Ontario. learn more

Do you use plows or snowblowers?

We only use snowblowers. Our tractors are equipped with wide rear-mounted blowers that range from 74” to 80” in width. This allows us to make sure we’re able to service any size of laneway no matter how small or large it may be. learn more

What is the minimum snowfall amount before you provide service?

Our minimum snowfall amount is 4 cm. learn more

Do you have a seasonal snowfall limit? And, what is your policy once this limit is reached?

Yes, our contract service is up to a maximum of 250 cm or 23 snow events of 4cm that have occurred; whichever one comes first.

If more than 250cm has accumulated:

Contract service is up to a maximum of 250cm as recorded by Environment Canada for the season.
If more than 250cm has accumulated then a further per cm charge will apply.
Total amount before tax divided by 250, (ex. $500.00 / 250cm =$2.00 (plus tax) per extra cm of snow that falls after 250cm).

If more that 23 events of 4cm has occurred:

Contract service is up to a maximum of 23 snow events of 4cms as recorded by Environment Canada for the season.
If more than 23 events of 4cm has accumulated then a further per events charge will apply.
Total amount before tax divided by 23 events, ($500.00 / 23 events = $21.74 (plus tax) per event after 23 events has occurred.

Note: An event is when the snow fall amount reaches over 4cm (recorded by Environment Canada) and J.R Lawn and Snow is required to service all driveways and walkways. If a snow event occurs of 20cm over 48 hours (recorded by Environment Canada), J.R Lawn and Snow only considers this as 1 event. By signing with J.R Lawn and Snow, the customer automatically agrees to continue the clearing after 250cm or 23 visits of 4cm (recorded by Environment Canada). learn more

Will my driveway be cleared before 6:00am?

We would love to be able to tell you with confidence that we would be able to provide you with this service although it would be a lie. We’re unable to guarantee a time for this service due to the fact there is no guarantee when it will snow. What J.R can guarantee is that each client will have the full potential to access their laneway during the storm. learn more

What if the city plows come by after you’ve already cleared my driveway?

During cases where it snows more than 7cm, the city plows will clear the roadways. Our operators wait until the city plows have passed and redo your laneway to its entirety. learn more

Will there be someone to answer my call during a snow storm?

During a snow storm, there will be 2-3 customer service representatives in the office at all times. If there is a concern with your snow removal, we ask that you follow the auto- attendant on our phone system and leave a message. The reason being is that If you leave a brief message of your name, address, phone number and what your concern is through a voicemail, the representative can dispatch the concern to the foreman faster.irety. learn more

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! When signing up for both our winter and summer services, we offer a 5% discount on the yearly total. learn more

What methods of payment do you accept?

Cheque or Credit Card (Visa or MC only). learn more

Are you insured?

Yes, we have a $5-million-dollar liability. learn more

Do you have enough machinery to do all the work?

J.R operates with over 90 machines in the winter to ensure all client’s needs are met. learn more

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 round (4-5 hours later) parked cars have usually been moved allowing for full cleaning of the 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 give 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). It is the customer’s responsibility to move vehicles from the driveway in order to assure proper snow removal. learn more

My driveway is gravel. Can you still use a snowblower on 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. learn more

Will your equipment damage my property?

No. The blower on our tractor is equipped with two inches of a hard plastic called teflon. This will eliminate any surface scratching or damage to interlock. In regards to your grass, we install markers to eliminate the tractor going on the grass and to make sure you have the full potential of your laneway cleared each time it snows! learn more

What about water valves on my driveway?

It is the responsibility of the home owner to contact the city if a water valve cap is protruding the driveway. You should request a service technician to lower the pipe and cap to the level of the driveway. This service is free of charge. If the cap is not level with the driveway, it may very likely get hit and blown onto the lawn! Please make sure the city takes care of this situation before the first snow otherwise the city may charge you for repairs in the spring. learn more

What is your repair policy?

Our drivers are required to report to their foremen and on their worksheet, at the time of the incident, any damages caused to your property. 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 an 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. Our office staff or drivers should report damages directly to you at the time of the incident, but you can always verify with our office staff, the day following the incident if you have any concerns. learn more

Do you spread salt on the driveway if it is icy?

No, not on residential home driveway. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to apply any necessary abrasives especially on a driveway with a slope going down toward the house. learn more

When are the driveway markers installed and removed?

All of our driveway markers go up by November 1st and are generally removed after the second 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 or house and we will collect them when we arrive. learn more

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 this does not happen again. Please do not hesitate to advise us. learn more

What training do your drivers receive?

The most thorough training in the business! In October of every year, each new recruit is trained on the navigation of his route, familiarized with the technical aspects of his equipment, provided with hours of practical driving exercises, and thoroughly briefed on safety issues surrounding both the public and himself. He is provided with both literature and hands-on training, so don’t be surprised if you see a couple of J.R tractors out on the road before the snow begins to fall! 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. learn more

If I move mid-way through the season can I get my money back on the contract?

Once agreed upon and paid, the contract is irrevocable. We do not offer any refund. The address in question will be serviced until the end of our agreement.
However, if your new address is within our service area, we can transfer the service.- An evaluation of the new address will be done and the price will be adjusted accordingly if need be. learn more

What is the average amount of snow Ottawa receives each year?

Environment Canada reports an average of 222.58 cm for the past 5 years of snowfall. learn more

Do you offer any summer programs?

Yes, we provide property maintenance contracts. Call the office to see what that entails. learn more

Is J.R. Lawn & Snow hiring?

Yes, we are always looking for reliable, conscientious, hard-working, and honest staff. Please contact us at 613-229-4803 for more information regarding available positions. learn more

What forms of payment do you accept?