Snow shovelling vs snow clearing: what does a house need?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB5 min read
Short answer
What is the difference between snow shovelling and snow clearing, and what does a house in Stockholm need?
Snow shovelling is the manual work done with a shovel or snow blower on smaller areas such as paths, steps and patios. Snow clearing is the larger, often mechanised effort that removes snow and ice from driveways, access roads and longer vehicle areas, usually using a tractor or specialised vehicle, and is often combined with grit or salt treatment against slipperiness. Most houses in Stockholm need a combination of both, since the path to the front door calls for a different approach than a long gravel driveway. Service Plus assesses on site which combination suits your particular plot.
What is the actual difference between snow shovelling and snow clearing?
The two terms are often used interchangeably but describe different working methods. Snow shovelling is the manual task – using a shovel, scoop or small snow blower to remove snow from areas you walk on, such as the path to the entrance, steps and patios. Snow clearing is the larger effort that usually requires machinery, such as a tractor with a plough blade or a snow mill, and is used for driveways, access roads and other vehicle areas where the amount of snow is too great or the area too long to shovel by hand.
The difference is therefore about scale and tools, not about who does the job or what result is wanted. Both aim for the same thing – a passable, slip-free surface – but the method is chosen based on the size of the area, the amount of snow, and how quickly it needs to be done.
Which parts of a house usually need snow shovelling?
Most houses have a few smaller areas that are best handled by hand, particularly when the snow depth is moderate or the area is narrow and bordered by flower beds, fences or the building facade, where a machine could easily cause damage.
- The path from the gate to the front door
- Steps and thresholds
- Patio, terrace and porch
- The path to the bin, letterbox and any carport
- Light snowfalls, before the snow has time to pack down
Which parts usually need machine-based snow clearing?
When the area is longer, wider, or the amount of snow greater, shovelling by hand becomes impractical. A machine then removes the snow faster and with less effort, while also depositing it in the right place rather than letting it end up in flower beds or blocking visibility at the exit.
- Longer driveways and garage access roads
- Gravel or asphalt vehicle areas on larger plots
- Large courtyard areas at multi-family buildings, but also some houses with a spacious front area
- Grit or salt treatment carried out in the same visit as the clearing
What determines whether your house needs both shovelling and clearing?
Most house owners in Stockholm need a combination, since a plot rarely consists of only one type of surface. A short path can be shovelled by hand while a 15–20 metre driveway needs a machine to be cleared in time before the working day or the school run. How much snow falls, and how often, varies between years and between parts of the county, so it is the amount of snow and the shape of the area that decides – not a fixed schedule.
Other factors that come into play are whether anyone in the household has reduced mobility, whether the car needs to get out early in the morning, and how steep the driveway is. A steep access road ices over easily and may need both clearing and regular grit treatment, while a flat path often manages with shovelling as needed.
How does Service Plus go about it at a house?
Service Plus's specialist Skottis visits the property and goes through paths, steps, outdoor seating areas and the driveway to see which combination of shovelling and clearing suits best, and whether grit or salt treatment is needed at the same time. We bring our own equipment, from shovels and snow blowers to machinery for larger areas, and the waste – such as removed ice or old grit – is taken away if the customer wants. What should be included, and how often we come out during the winter, is agreed at the visit and written into the contract, whether it is a single occasion or a whole season.
Private individuals receive a RUT deduction of up to 50% of the labour cost, deducted directly from the invoice. Get in touch for a free quote within 24 hours, so you get a clear price before the work begins.
Common follow-up questions
Can I order just shovelling without signing a clearing agreement?
Yes, Service Plus carries out one-off shovelling of paths and steps even without an ongoing clearing agreement, and you can always add machine help for the driveway later if needed.
Is grit or salt treatment included in the snow clearing?
Grit or salt can be added during the same visit as the clearing, but this is decided together with the customer based on how icy the surface is and what suits the plot.
Does the work qualify for the RUT deduction whether it's called shovelling or clearing?
Yes, the labour cost for snow shovelling and snow clearing on your own plot qualifies for a RUT deduction of up to 50%, as long as it doesn't concern a public road or pavement outside the property boundary.
Can I book for a single snowfall even if I haven't had an agreement before?
Yes, Service Plus accepts both one-off jobs and seasonal agreements, and assesses on site what your particular house needs for that winter.
