Snow Removal & Ice Treatment
Residential snow plowing, sidewalk clearing, porch and step treatment, and salt application across Chicago's North Shore. Per-storm or seasonal contract — whichever fits how you want to think about winter.
Overview
A typical Chicago North Shore winter brings eight to twelve plowable snow events — a few light storms, a handful of moderate ones, and at least one or two that pile up overnight and make Monday-morning driveways impassable. Snow removal isn't optional on the North Shore. The question is just whether you want to deal with it yourself or have it handled.
MarioScape covers driveway clearing, sidewalks and walkways, porches and steps, and salt and ice melt application. Available as per-storm (pay when it snows) or seasonal contract (one price, unlimited visits, the whole winter handled).
Seasonal customers get automatic dispatch — no calls needed, set to a trigger that works for your property. Per-storm customers call or text when they want service. Either way, work happens during or right after the storm so driveways are clear by morning.
What's included
Plain English, no padding.
Driveway clearing handles the main vehicle path — from street to garage door. Plow truck, snow blower, or by hand — whatever fits the driveway and what you prefer. Some homeowners don't want a plow near their driveway, and that's no problem; the plow also runs a protective edge so it doesn't scrape or gouge.
Plow truck for standard residential driveways. Snow blower for steep grades, narrow paths, or properties where plow access doesn't work cleanly. End-of-driveway pile (the plow ridge left by city plows after they pass) gets cleared so you can exit. Long, curved, or steep driveways common on Highland Park ravine properties get walked through and priced specifically — no surprise charges after the first storm.
All walkways — front walk to door, side paths to gate, sidewalk in front of the house — get cleared with snow blower or shovel as the surface requires.
North Shore villages have varying sidewalk-clearing ordinances — Evanston requires sidewalk clearing within 24 hours of accumulation, Deerfield within 48. Skipping it can mean a ticket. Walkway service handles compliance. For multi-unit properties, common walks and entry approaches included.
Front porches, back steps, and entry stoops get hand-cleared — the spots a plow truck can't reach and where slip risk is highest.
Included with full driveway-plus-walkway service. Salt application on steps recommended — even with clearing, refreeze on steps overnight is a common slip-and-fall scenario for homeowners and delivery people. Pet-safe melt available where pets enter or exit.
Salt or ice melt applied after clearing to prevent refreeze and treat the freeze-thaw cycles that follow most North Shore storms.
Standard rock salt is the default — cheap, effective down to about 15°F, works on driveways and walks. Calcium chloride or magnesium chloride pet-safe ice melt available for properties with pets, kids, or sensitive perimeter landscaping. Salt application is quoted separately from clearing on per-storm jobs, or bundled into seasonal contracts.
Common Questions
Pricing depends on driveway size, walkway length, whether salt is included, and whether you go per-visit or seasonal contract. Seasonal offers better value if you don't want to think storm-by-storm. Reach out for a quote.
Both options are available. Per-storm = pay only when snow falls, you manage your decisions. Seasonal = one price, unlimited visits, you don't think about it. Most properties end up better off on seasonal once they price both — typical Chicago winters bring 8–12 plowable events.
On seasonal contracts: automatic dispatch once snow accumulates, at a trigger we set with you. On per-storm: by call or text. Heavy storms may need a second pass after roads clear so plow piles don't block your driveway exit.
Both available. Standard rock salt by default. Calcium chloride or magnesium chloride pet-safe melt for properties with pets, kids, or sensitive landscaping at the perimeter.
Limited commercial work — small office parks, condo entries, individual commercial properties along the North Shore corridor. Large commercial lots requiring multiple trucks or 24/7 standby get referred to larger commercial contractors.
Steep, long, or curving driveways common on Highland Park ravine properties or Northbrook estates get quoted after a walk-through. Some need snow blower passes rather than plow passes. Quoted up front, no surprises after the first storm.
Service Area
Seasonal contracts book through mid-November — earlier locks in better pricing. Per-storm available anytime weather is in the forecast.
Tell me about your driveway, walks, and steps. I'll send a written quote — usually within 24 hours. Seasonal slots fill before Thanksgiving.
