We service Hull (Plateau, Birch Manor and Val-Tétreau).

From November 15 to March 31

Our contract covers all snowfalls of 5cm or more. Generally, 1 to 2 laneway clearing is scheduled for a snowfall of 10cm or less, and multiple visits if the snowfall is over that amount. However, there are many instances per season where it is possible, we would go out for less than 5cm simply as a training exercise or because the snowfall was heavy wet snow, and the city plows were out. We always return to clear the debris left by the city plows.

Yes. Always. We will usually have our first pass complete before the City starts to clear the side streets. We then make a final clean up after the city plows.

The 5 cm is during the same storm. When precipitation is less than 5 cm, the owner must ensure his own snow removal.

No. We do not offer that service and we do not offer any other shoveling services.

No, unfortunately we no longer offer this service.

No. However, on very rare occasions unforeseen mechanical problems arise that would cause immeasurable delays therefore, there is a plow available only as a urgent last resort backup. Remember, tractor snow blowing is a much more efficient way to clear snow as they are able to disperse the snow more evenly across your property to avoid large and potentially hazardous snowbanks at the end of your driveway.

Yes, the maximum is stipulated in the annual contract. For your information, the average accumulation for the city of Gatineau is 220 cm. Beyond the limit stipulated in the contract, a fee per visit will be billed to the owner. This amount will be understood beforehand in the annual contract. The customer will have the option to terminate his contract after the limit of snow has fallen. To do this, a written notice (by email) must be sent to the Habiterra team. See the Terms and Conditions section of the annual agreement for instructions.

Yes, but we prefer to keep the phone for urgent matters. Our snow removal operations updates are posted on your Website section "Snowstorm Info". For a request for service, you can send us an email.

Snow blowing with a tractor is the safest method of clearing your driveway available. Although the tractor is large, the weight is evenly distributed across oversized tires that results in less force per square inch as an average car. The attachments are calibrated to float just above the driveway surface to avoid damages. Also, at the beginning of the season we install laneway marking posts at the end of the driveway and around obstacles to help our operators navigate throughout the winter. All of our tractors are fitted with high-end anti-scratch blades, helping to protect both pavers. Despite all the precautions taken, it can happen on very rare occasions that the equipment leaves traces.

In order to keep our clearing times reasonable and stay on schedule we cannot send our operators to knock on doors in order to have parked vehicles moved. Doing this would have a terrible domino effect on our routes and cause delays in getting to our all customers in an efficient and timely fashion. We will usually have our first pass complete before the City starts to clear the side streets. We then make as many return trips as necessary to clean up after the city plows.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure that if any water valve caps are protruding the driveway to contact the City of Gatineau and request that they send a service technician by to lower the pipe and cap to the level of the asphalt. If the cap is not flush with the level of the driveway it may very likely get picked off and blown onto the lawn and cause damage to our machine or your property! So, please make sure that the city takes care of this in advance of the first snow. Otherwise, once snow arrives and covers the surface, this issue is not apparent, and the city may charge you for repairs in the Spring. Also, as a side note: Trim low overhanging branches to allow our tractors to pass and don’t forget to remove all objects from the snow clearing area inc. Downspouts, flowerpots, basketball nets, garbage receptacles, extension cords etc. Habiterra assumes no responsibilities for objects left inside the snow removal area.

In the unlikely event of accidental damage to property caused by driver or equipment error our operators are required to report it to the office. It is however recommended that our customers call in order to verify the report. Habiterra will typically make any non-urgent repairs in the spring. More urgent repairs will be resolved immediately. Habiterra has an excellent reputation for fixing any of our rare mistakes.

No, salt has been proven to be destructive to grass and landscaping. It is also quite costly to provide for a residential contract and the liability insurance premiums does not make it a very cost-effective option.

We typically install the markers 2 weeks before the start of the season and remove them within 2 weeks after as long as the weather cooperates. We ask our customers to leave the markers in place so that we may retrieve them at the end of the season. Please do not throw them out or store them inside. A fee will be added to the client’s bill for each missing marker that was removed by the client.

No. We plan our routes in accordance with the cities snow removal service. Ideally, we arrive soon after the city plow, so you are not stuck coming or going. We also do not overfill our routes. You will find that even at the end of our route you will be done faster than being in the middle of many of our competitors’ routes.

This is by far the most popular question asked. We operate 24 hours a day. Our start times are based solely on the snow fall. On average we will start a 10cm or less snowfall after it has fallen. A larger snowfall closer to 15cm requires multiple passes. With this system we cannot guarantee a particular time day or night. As a general rule, if it snows under 10 cms overnight we would start at 5am and are usually done the first pass before noon. If the city is plowing all the residential streets overnight, we will also work over night to try to remove it before you leave for work. Exceptional storms (over 25 cms) require many visits and a lot of patience. In this rare instance, and not unlike the City's own street clearing, delays are possible.

In the event of an emergency please call our office at (819) 592-3355 or send us an email. We will dispatch someone to your location. With our fleet there is always help within 30-45 minutes from your house.