What's included in a winter contract for snow removal?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB5 min read
Short answer
What is included in a winter contract for snow removal and ice prevention?
A winter contract normally covers snow clearing of paths, driveways, garage access and entrances, plus ice prevention with sand, grit or salt when ice or packed snow has formed. The season typically runs from November to March or April in the Stockholm area, and who does what, how often, and at what snow depth is agreed with the customer and written into the contract. The labour cost for snow removal qualifies for the RUT deduction of up to 50 percent, while waste removal of snow and materials such as sand and salt are not covered.
What's usually included in a winter contract for snow removal and ice prevention?
A winter contract is an agreement for a garden company to handle snow clearing and ice prevention throughout the winter season, rather than being called out after every snowfall. What's actually included varies from property to property and is always agreed during an on-site visit, but below are examples of what customers typically choose to include.
- Snow clearing of the path to the entrance and any rear access
- Clearing of the driveway and garage access so the car can get out
- Ice prevention with sand, grit or salt on the areas that are cleared
- Removal of ice that has formed at doors, thresholds and steps
- Collection and removal of snow banks that grow too high by the driveway
- Separate booking for roof clearing and removal of icicles when needed
How is it decided when snow removal and ice prevention take place?
Most winter contracts are triggered by a snow depth, for example once a few centimetres of fresh snow has fallen since the last visit, rather than by a fixed time of day. Ice prevention is assessed separately since ice can form without any snowfall at all, for instance during a thaw followed by night frost.
How often the areas are checked and what threshold triggers a callout is part of what's negotiated and written into the contract, just like which areas are prioritised first if several properties need attention the same morning.
What season does a winter contract cover in Stockholm?
In the Stockholm area, winter contracts usually run from mid or late November to the end of March, sometimes into April if spring is late. According to SMHI's climate statistics, snow and ice can occur as early as October in some years and persist until April, which makes it difficult to set exact start and end dates in advance.
Contracts are therefore usually worded to apply for the winter season rather than an exact date range, with the possibility of extending if the weather requires it.
Does a winter contract qualify for the RUT deduction?
Yes, the labour cost for snow clearing and ice prevention on your own property qualifies for the RUT deduction of up to 50 percent for private individuals, with a cap of SEK 75,000 per person per year. The deduction is applied directly on the invoice so the customer only pays their share.
Waste removal of snow taken away from the property and materials such as sand, grit or salt count as materials and transport and are not covered by the RUT deduction, even though they're often included on the same invoice.
When is it worth signing a winter contract instead of booking as you go?
A winter contract suits those who don't want to lie awake listening for snowfall, who travel during part of the winter, or who have a driveway and entrance that must be passable every morning regardless of weather. It's also a way to avoid responsibility for slip accidents on your own property, which can otherwise become a costly issue if someone is injured outside the house.
Anyone who only needs help occasionally, for example after heavy snowfall or ahead of a visit, can also book snow removal as a one-off job instead of an ongoing contract.
- Time or energy doesn't allow for early morning clearing
- The driveway or garage must be drivable every weekday
- The property owner wants to reduce the risk of slip accidents and liability
- Snow and ice collect on areas that are awkward or steep to clear
- The RUT deduction makes the labour cost cheaper than hiring help yourself
How Service Plus manages winter contracts for snow removal and ice prevention
At Service Plus Stockholm AB, Skottis is responsible for winter contracts. Which areas are cleared, how often ice prevention takes place and what snow depth triggers a visit are agreed during an on-site visit and clearly written into the contract, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
We bring our own equipment for clearing and ice prevention, and snow that needs to be removed from the property can be taken to a disposal site for a separate cost. Private individuals receive a RUT deduction of up to 50 percent of the labour cost, deducted directly on the invoice. Get in touch and you'll receive a free quote within 24 hours.
Common follow-up questions
Can you sign a winter contract partway through the winter?
Yes, Service Plus signs winter contracts throughout the season, even if it has already snowed several times, and will assess on-site what the property needs for the rest of the winter.
Is ice prevention on the pavement outside the property included in the contract?
This can be added if the property owner is themselves responsible for that stretch under the municipality's rules, otherwise the contract covers the property and entrance itself.
Does snow removal and ice prevention qualify for the RUT deduction?
Yes, the labour cost qualifies for the RUT deduction of up to 50 percent, while waste removal of snow and materials such as sand and salt are not covered.
What happens if it's a low-snow winter?
The contract is governed by actual snow depth and ice conditions, not a fixed number of visits, so a low-snow winter means fewer callouts and lower cost than a snowy one.
