Per-push, seasonal or inch-cap: which snow contract fits
Per-push contracts bill each visit, seasonal contracts charge one flat price no matter how much it snows, and inch-cap contracts charge a flat price up to a set season total, then bill the extra. Which one costs less depends on how much snow your area normally gets, so check your season total against normal before you sign.
Updated October 18, 2026. Estimates for planning. Not certified for contract billing.
Check your area's storm and season totals
Per-push (per-visit)
You pay a set price every time the crew plows or shovels, usually once snowfall reaches a trigger depth such as 2 inches. You pay nothing in a dry winter and a lot in a snowy one. Heavy storms may count as more than one push if the contract says so.
Seasonal (flat rate)
One price for the whole season, often paid monthly. Your cost is predictable and the contractor carries the risk of a big winter. Contractors price these from the area's long-term average, so in a light year you've effectively paid for snow that never fell.
Inch-cap (capped seasonal)
A seasonal price that covers snowfall up to a cap, for example 60 inches for the season. After the season total passes the cap, extra snow is billed per push or per inch. It splits the risk: you get a flat price for a normal winter, and the contractor is protected in a record one.
Quick comparison
| Contract | Light winter | Heavy winter | Budget certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-push | Cheapest | Most expensive | Low |
| Seasonal | Overpay | Cheapest | High |
| Inch-cap | Flat price | Flat price, plus overage | Medium-high |
How to check storm totals with Turf & Snow
- Enter your ZIP code to open your area's page.
- Read the 24, 48 and 72-hour totals to see whether a storm likely reached your contract's trigger depth.
- For inch-cap contracts, watch the season-so-far bar: the gold line is the 30-year normal for today's date, so you can see whether you're heading past the cap.
- If a total looks off, compare it with the measurement method your contract names. Our totals are area estimates, not readings at your property.
Frequently asked questions
What is an inch-cap snow contract?
A seasonal contract with a flat price that covers snowfall up to a set number of inches for the season (the cap). Once the season's total passes the cap, extra snow is billed per push or per inch at an agreed rate.
Is per-push or seasonal cheaper?
Per-push is cheaper in light winters and seasonal is cheaper in heavy ones. Compare the seasonal price against the per-push price times the number of storms that usually reach the trigger depth in your area.
What is a trigger depth?
The minimum snowfall, often 1 or 2 inches, that starts a plow or shovel visit. Storms below the trigger usually aren't serviced or billed unless the contract also covers ice treatment.
How do I check how much snow fell at my address?
Enter your ZIP on Turf & Snow to see 24, 48 and 72-hour totals and the season total compared with normal. Totals are estimates for your area, not a measurement at your property, so use them as a reference alongside the method named in your contract.
Can Turf & Snow totals be used for billing?
No. Estimates for planning. Not certified for contract billing. Contracts should name an official measurement method, such as a specific weather station or an on-site snow board.