Which is the most advantageous: winter snow removal service or winter shelters? If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that shoveling is a real chore. No one likes getting up 45 minutes to an hour earlier to remove the pile of snow that has accumulated in front of the car. Winter is a fickle season, but that’s no reason to hate the cold season.
In fact, there are many solutions to handle snowfalls. Forget about shoveling. Each year, many people make the mistake of underestimating how much work shoveling is. For older people or those with heart problems, the danger of shoveling is very real.
However, not everyone wants to invest hundreds of dollars in a professional snow removal service or a ready made winter shelter. Although snow blowers have many advantages, you still have to do it yourself and sometimes get up earlier to avoid being late for work.
To put an end to the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Groupe Bellon Prestige is proud to help you make a thoughtful decision and help you enjoy winter again.
What is the position of the snow blower in the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters?
The snow blower is in an acceptable position when it comes to handling snow. It is certainly more advantageous than the shovel, but it’s not necessarily our number-one solution to manage the vagaries of the Quebec climate. After all, winter isn’t just about snow. There’s also ice, wind, and all those other little natural beauties that make winter what it is.
Now, let’s discover all the advantages and disadvantages of opting for the snow blower in the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters.
The advantages of the snow blower
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- Conserves your energy, because the effort required is less than shoveling.
- Speed: You won’t have to get up an hour earlier, because the snow blower works faster than the shovel.
- A one-time purchase: Unlike a professional snow removal service, which renews every year, buying a snow blower is a one-time purchase. Of course, if you buy a gas-powered snow blower, you will have to pay to refill the tank.
- Ideal for a private parking lot: Snow blowers are perfect if you have a small space to clear, such as your driveway. However, for larger spaces, they still require a great deal of effort on your part.
The disadvantages of the snow blower
- Associated costs: If you purchase a gas-powered snow blower, there will be costs associated with filling up your tank.
- Waking up earlier: You will still have to get up a bit earlier. Even if the snow blower is faster, you have to calculate the time you will spend blowing snow to avoid being late for work.
- Removing snow from vehicle(s): You will also have to clear the snow off your car.
- Impractical for large spaces: It is not ideal for large parking lots (more than 4 spaces), because the larger the space to be cleared is, the more you will tire yourself out.
The position of the snow removal service in the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters
The professional snow remover is in a slightly more comfortable position than the snow blower in this debate. Now, let’s discover all the advantages and disadvantages of a snow removal service.
Why choose a snow removal service in the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters?
- Outsourcing: You don’t have to concern yourself with the snow. The services offered by professional snow removers are generally fast and reliable, so you won’t have to worry about clearing off your driveway during storms.
- You avoid fines: Some municipalities in Quebec issue tickets to homeowners who don’t clear off their section of sidewalk and their driveway.
The disadvantages of a snow removal service
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and roses in the world of snow removal services.
- Expensive: To receive service all winter long, you’re often looking at hundreds of dollars, or even more depending on your address or the complexity of your area to be cleared.
- Reliability or delays: In the case of heavy snowstorms, it’s possible that your snow remover will be delayed. Although these services are usually reliable, a heavier workload can slow them down considerably. It will therefore be up to you to do what needs doing to avoid being late for work… such as breaking out the shovel or the snow blower.
The position of winter shelters in the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters
As specialists in residential and commercial winter shelters, we’re convinced that this is the best solution for managing snow. Here are our reasons.
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- Optimal protection from the elements: Winter shelters don’t just stop snow, but also ice and wind. This means that, in the winter, tree branches won’t fall on your vehicle, and you won’t have to defrost your windows. These are advantages that neither shovels, nor snow blowers, nor snow removal services offer.
- Put an end to delays and shoveling: Much like snow blowers and snow removal services, having a carport lets you avoid being late to work. You also won’t have to get up earlier, since there won’t be any snow in your way.
- A one-time purchase: Much like the snow blower, buying a temporary shelter is a one-time purchase. The only costs to be anticipated are for repair of the canvas after several years or storage. However, if you purchase a custom shelter, some companies offer you these services in addition to setting up and taking down the shelter.
- Ideal for all types of parking lots: Whether you have one, two, or multiple vehicles, temporary shelters are a feasible solution. After all, if you need a shelter larger than a double, you can always contact a company that specializes in custom projects.
The disadvantages of the winter shelter
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- Putting up and taking down the shelter: If you buy a winter shelter at Canadian Tire or Costco, you will have to put your shelter up and take it down yourself. We therefore recommend buying your shelter at a specialty store that also offers the assembly and disassembly of the shelter.
- Size problems: Shelters from big box stores come in standard sizes. These sizes might not fit your driveway perfectly. Once again, it is more advantageous to have a custom shelter designed.
We hope we’ve put an end to the debate between snow blowers vs. winter snow removal service vs. winter shelters. If you have any other questions about carports, don’t hesitate to contact Groupe Bellon Prestige. Our winter shelter specialists will be pleased to take your call.
