Braced
Menu

Snow clearance in Portland

Snow removal firms and roofers.

15 pros in Portland

Snow clearance in Portland is shaped by city rules as much as by the weather. Parking bans apply to every street in the city from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and the hours may be changed or extended in extreme conditions, so a plow contractor working a driveway overnight has to think about where vehicles sit. Properties not on a city sidewalk plow route must also have the abutting sidewalk cleared by the owner, and business owners have 12 hours after a storm to do it. The National Weather Service notes that the 2010s were 8.3 inches snowier than normal in Portland, so a season can run heavier than you expect. Before you hire, ask whether the work includes the sidewalk as well as the driveway, how fast they respond after a storm ends, and where they will pile snow so it stays off the street. Get the terms of a seasonal contract in writing, including what happens in an extended ban.

Source: National Weather Service Gray/Portland, ME (source, opens in a new tab)

Not yet verified. We checked that each one’s own website offers this work, but we haven’t contacted them yet. How a business gets listed

Know a good one we’re missing? Suggest one

What to know in Portland

Before you hire

  1. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Ask about liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover before anyone works on your roof or property.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Portland

Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of my Portland property?

If your property is not on a city sidewalk plow route, city ordinances require the abutting property owner to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk. Business owners have 12 hours after a winter storm to do it. If you hire a plow service, ask for sidewalk clearing to be written into the agreement. City of Portland, Maine (source, opens in a new tab)

Can a plow contractor leave my car on the street during a Portland parking ban?

No. The citywide ban covers every street from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and hours may be extended in extreme conditions. Vehicles left on the street may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Plan to keep cars in the driveway or off-street so plowing is not blocked. City of Portland, Maine (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a snow removal quote or contract include?

Ask for the work covered (driveway, walkways, roof snow), the snowfall depth that triggers a visit, when the crew arrives after a storm, and where snow will be piled. Check that the terms cover repeat visits in one storm, and ask for proof of insurance before you sign.

How do I compare snow plowing quotes from different trades?

Compare like with like: the same areas cleared, the same trigger depth, the same response window, and whether a seasonal or per-visit arrangement applies. Ask each one how they handle damage to lawns, edging or pavers, and how you can reach them during a storm.

Other jobs and cities

Other jobs in Portland

Snow clearance in other cities