Metro Snow & Ice Management

Snow Removal
Ottawa ON K2G 0B3
Write a Review
Write a Review

Recommended Professionals

99%(12 reviews)
97%(121 reviews)
99%(12 reviews)
97%(121 reviews)
HomeStars
Snow Removal
Metro Snow & Ice Management
Star Score
Learn more about how StarScore uses a complex algorithm which considers a company's review ratings, responsiveness, reputation, and recency.

35%

This is the average rating based on homeowner reviews.
This indicates how long it's been since the last review.
Indicates how well a pro reacts to reviews and review-related interactions with Homeowners.
How well a company responds to Service Requests and Reviews.
Reviews by rating (past 12 months)

Reviews for Metro Snow & Ice Management

Average customer rating:
5.2 10 (438 reviews)

Sort by

Sg in Nepean
Sg in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
0/10

Can’t get any worst

This season it has been below any expectation. I have been a loyal customer for 6 yrs, but the service got so bad that I will never renew with Metro.
Takes them 24 hrs to clean after the cityplow, did only the end of laneway the rest of snow was left behind. The first storm of the season they arrived 36 hr after the storm passed. Why do we pay for this service?
I will have a petition on the street for people to sign up with a different company.

Approximate cost of services:
$435.00
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews Ottawa, ON
0/10

Guess I’ll be shoveling

10pm at night, snowed the previous night. Looks like I’ll be shoveling my driveway with a bad shoulder. Have a mound at the end that I don’t want to freeze in the -23 tomorrow. It’ll be hard to get the vehicles in/out with a frozen mound. Not sure if they’ll come, I’ve had to call them about missed service previously. Always the last to get service on the street, if I get any. First time with snow service, and last time with Metro.

Approximate cost of services:
$384.00
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
John in Nepean
John in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
0/10

Snow Removal

If you are really looking to pay $ 375.00 for snow removal company and then do the work yourself, then Metro Snow & Ice Management (Mr Ken Dale CEO) must be your choice.
An arrogant, irresponsible with zero customer service is probably an understated description of this company and its management.
The contract stipulates that a tractor will clear your driveway if we have a snow accumulation of 4 plus cms and will have your driveway cleared by 7:00 am.
January 23, 2019. We had the worst snowstorm of the season. The city cleared our street by 8:30 am. Driveway completely blocked with at least 10-15 cms of snow and many more of snow dumps by city tractors. Metro Snow has not cleared my driveway despite many follow-ups and many promises. Well, Metro Snow eventually cleared my driveway 24 HOURS after when they were supposed to do it.
Almost immediately after (Now we are Jan 24) the city came in for a "clean up". They dumped a good load on my driveway. Metro did not show up and would not confirm if they will. So I hired a local chap to clear the driveway at my own expense.
Metro completely missed clearing my driveway the first snow of the season. They sent apologies but refused to send a tractor to correct. So far Metro's score with me goes like this
1- One time they completely missed cleaning my driveway
2- 3 times they did not come after the city to clear what the city put back on the driveway.
3- Only once (ONE TIME ONLY) they removed the snow as per contract (by 7:00 AM)

It is a web of arrogance and incompetence. Do you want to hear the latest joke? According to its motto (Progress each storm not perfection is always our goal). In other words, first snowfall we miss you all together. Second snowfall we clear your driveway 24 hours late. This is progress over the first time. Next, we will be 12 hours late (50 % improvement). And so on and so forth. By the end of the season, we will get it right.
Congratulations.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. STAY AWAY FROM METRO SNOW.

Approximate cost of services:
$375.00
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

Dearmich in Nepean
Dearmich in Nepean
2 reviews Ottawa, ON
0/10

Metro Snow And Ice Removal

I live in the Barrhaven area. I am beyond dissatisfied with Metro's service. I am insulted and infuriated.
Metro shows indifference to its poor reliability and to the bad situations it directly causes its customers. I have a spinal condition and must completely rely on Metro to clear my laneway. Twice this week, my laneway had not been cleared until after 7pm, leaving me trapped and unable to fulfill my own responsibilities and inevitably causing me to lose money. My neighbours who have used a different clearing service had their laneways cleared both mornings. It is completely unacceptable and I will not be using them again next year.

Approximate cost of services:
$370.00
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

RR in Nepean
RR in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
0/10

Snow removal - driveway and walkway

Signed up with these people last week. Two storms so far.
(1) Storm 1: Walkway forgotten. Took one live call + vone oice mail in the evening 8 hours after to get action
(2) Storm 2: Neighbourhood done but driveway forgotten - probably because I have a corner property where driveway is on a different street.
Still not done after repeated attempts at voice mails, emails, issuing trouble tickets. Got one generic note last night saying they are working.
Overall extremely shoddy service. Ended up doing half my driveway myself so I could at least get out. Very disappointing.

Approximate cost of services:
$375.00
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

Josie in Nepean
Josie in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
2/10

They come late and damage property

They are not a reliable service provider.
This year they have repeatedly come late and damaged property.
When emailed concerning their poor services they offered no apology nor did they provide reassurance for the upcoming year.

Approximate cost of services:
$425.00
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

RB in Nepean
RB in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
2/10

Snow Removal

First year with Metro and it will be my last. During the first storm my driveway was skipped and not done until 11 at night. Second storm today and I watched three other companies do driveways on my street. The first there guarantee should not be your slogan as your guy has yet to be the first one my street.
I am very disappointed in Metro. Emails about updates do not make up for lack of service.
I tried to look past the bad reviews but I am very disappointed in my choice and will not make the same mistake again.
I hope you are able to fix the issue of driveways not being done at the appropriate times before the next storm.

Approximate cost of services:
$435.00
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Apologies you feel this way.
It should be pointed out that we have just come off a record month of ‘back to back’ large, contiguous snow storms and performed as well or better then our competitors. While we might not have been there ‘as fast’ as you would like we in fact cleared every customer in a timely manner and within the ‘time thresholds ‘ in their contracts.
A few people may be missed which can happen but these few are quickly responded to and addressed when we advised.
Rest assured we have hundreds of positive, appreciative emails for exemplary service all through this season and will continue to strive to gain more.
Thanks
Ken

Scarcella in Nepean
Scarcella in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
0/10

Snow removal

Last snow fall never came till 10pm Today 23rd. city plow came at 10 am everyone is getting stuck at end of driveway ..Now 4pm and still no service.. too bad they merged better service then..

Getting comments from everyone on street demanding our money back. 22 customers.

Approximate cost of services:
$325.00
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

To the reader:
While we take every negative review here on HomeStars very seriously, I think it imperative that these complaints be put in a proper perspective here.
With over 6000 customers Metro is without a doubt the largest and most established residential snow clearing service in Ottawa.
If we’ve had say 50 bad review this winter there are still 5,950 happy well served, satisfied customers very pleased with our service delivery this winter. Sadly, ‘happy clients’ see no need to provide a positive review.
Basically 1% create 99% of the negative, sometimes hostile reviews.
I am in no way diminishing or minimizing these complaints and we address them and try to learn from each and every one of them.
We’ve experienced massive back to back continuous storms,broken several snowfall records yet have continually ‘been there’ every storm with effective service each time.
Yes, ‘some clients’ will inevitably get missed the odd storm for whatever reason And every company has misses, breakdowns, tardiness on a few routes during the odd storm.
By virtue of the fact we are the largest company it stands to reason we would have relatively more complaints from such a large clientele.
Compared to other companies however our complaint ratio is lower then most.
We are a highly organized, highly responsible and caring organization with great dedicated staff.
Each year we sign up hundreds of ‘new, inexperienced’ customers who just don’t know how a ‘private service’ operates. Unrealistic expectations and timelines create unhappy clients.
When assessing our efforts, please remember the 99% of our clients that have never complained or written negative reviews over the 25 years we;ce been serving them.
Thanks for reading this general reply but I thought it proper to provide the ‘other side of the coin’ here.
Ken Dale
President
Metro Snow and Ice

Dinesh
Dinesh
2 reviews Ottawa, ON
0/10

Snow and ice clearing service

Signed-up for the first time this year and the service has been very disappointing. They only came to my home once at the beginning of the storm when there was not much snow. They are not answering my numerous phone attempts, emails nor tickets that I and my wife have opened. Ended-up having to clear the driveway and city dump myself so that I could get my car out to go to work. I am hoping they will address this complaint on HomeStars and improve their service for the remainder of the season. Otherwise, they will not be getting my business next year.

Approximate cost of services:
$420.00
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

To the reader:
While we take every negative review here on HomeStars very seriously, I think it imperative that these complaints be put in a proper perspective here.
With over 6000 customers Metro is without a doubt the largest and most established residential snow clearing service in Ottawa.
If we’ve had say 50 bad review this winter there are still 5,950 happy well served, satisfied customers very pleased with our service delivery this winter. Sadly, ‘happy clients’ see no need to provide a positive review.
Basically 1% create 99% of the negative, sometimes hostile reviews.
I am in no way diminishing or minimizing these complaints and we address them and try to learn from each and every one of them.
We’ve experienced massive back to back continuous storms,broken several snowfall records yet have continually ‘been there’ every storm with effective service each time.
Yes, ‘some clients’ will inevitably get missed the odd storm for whatever reason And every company has misses, breakdowns, tardiness on a few routes during the odd storm.
By virtue of the fact we are the largest company it stands to reason we would have relatively more complaints from such a large clientele.
Compared to other companies however our complaint ratio is lower then most.
We are a highly organized, highly responsible and caring organization with great dedicated staff.
Each year we sign up hundreds of ‘new, inexperienced’ customers who just don’t know how a ‘private service’ operates. Unrealistic expectations and timelines create unhappy clients.
When assessing our efforts, please remember the 99% of our clients that have never complained or written negative reviews over the 25 years we;ce been serving them.
Thanks for reading this general reply but I thought it proper to provide the ‘other side of the coin’ here.
Ken Dale
President
Metro Snow and Ice

bob in Nepean
bob in Nepean
1 review Ottawa, ON
2/10

DRIVEWAY

21 JAN 19 PLEASE PLOW MY DRIVE. MY CAR WOULD GET STUCK IF I TRY TO EXIT THE GARAGE. I CHECKED MY INVOICES AND KNOW I AM PAID UP IF THERE IS SOME PROBLEM TELL ME WHAT IT IS BECAUSE I NEED MY DRIVE PLOWED.

Approximate cost of services:
$339.00
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

This was addressed for you Bob
Ken

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Metro Snow & Ice Management

WELCOME TO METRO SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT! Ken Dale, owner of Metro Snow & Ice Management, has over 25 years of experience managing large snowstorms in Ottawa. Ken founded and is past Chairman of OSCA (Ottawa Snow Contractors Association), which is a self governing organization of credible, well established snow ...
Company profile information is not moderated by HomeStars. Ask the contractor to verify before hiring.
Looking for Snow Removal pros in Ottawa?