Turn Canadian winters into a reliable seasonal paycheque.
Time: Early mornings after snowfalls
Every Canadian winter creates guaranteed demand: driveways, walkways and sidewalks that must be cleared before people leave for work. Because clients sign seasonal contracts paid up front, you can collect $400–$800 per driveway before the first flake falls — turning weather you can't control into income you can forecast. Start with a shovel and your own street, then reinvest into a snowblower or plow attachment as routes grow.
Buy a wide ergonomic shovel, ice melt and a used snowblower (Kijiji and Marketplace are full of them in early fall). Budget $300 to start; a new blower can come from your first contract payments.
Pick a 2–3 km radius around your home. Density is everything — 15 driveways on the same street beats 15 scattered across town when it's snowing at 6 a.m.
Drop flyers and door-hangers in late October. Lead with a flat seasonal rate (e.g. $450–$700 for unlimited clears November–March) and mention you're a local neighbour.
Offer a discount for full prepayment and a 2-installment option. Payment up front funds your equipment and locks in the client for the season.
Add $15–$30 per visit for salting steps and walkways. It's a 2-minute add-on that can raise revenue 20–30% with zero new clients.
Text clients in September to renew. A returning route means you can raise rates $50–$100 per year without finding new customers.
Best source for secondhand blowers and plows in every province.
Shovels, ice melt and winter gear, often on fall sales.
Canadian broker for cheap one-page liability policies; needed for commercial lots.
Free templates to design a door-hanger flyer in an hour.
Simple e-transfer-friendly invoicing for seasonal contracts.