Snow removal bills tend to feel like they arrive out of nowhere, usually because nobody decided what the work includes before the first storm. The rate is only one part of the total. What you ask the crew to do, how much snow has to fall before they come, and when they come all move the bill, and you can set most of those before the snow starts.
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What makes the bill go up
A longer driveway, a wider walk, and more steps take longer to clear. So does a steep drive, a turnaround at the bottom, or a mailbox that has to be dug out each time. Every extra pass counts, so a crew that clears the drive, the walk, the steps, and then salts all three will cost more than one that only clears the drive. Callouts after dark or on a holiday often carry a different rate than daytime work. A deeper trigger, meaning the crew waits until more snow has fallen before coming out, usually means fewer visits but bigger piles to move each time.
What makes the bill go down
A clear scope helps most. If the crew only clears the drive and he shovels the steps himself, the job is smaller and the bill is smaller with it. A shallow trigger costs more per storm but can stop a drift that takes twice as long to move later. Many companies offer both a seasonal arrangement and a per-push arrangement, and which one is cheaper depends on how many storms your area gets and how often he needs clearing. Ask each company to show you both options for a normal winter where you live, and ask them to put that comparison in writing.
Ask each company the same questions
Ask what counts as one push. Ask whether salt is included or billed separately. Ask how long they wait after a storm ends, whether they come back if the snow keeps falling, and whether the walk and steps are included or extra. Ask whether they leave a berm at the end of the drive, because a berm can trap a car. Ask how the contract renews and how to cancel it, and read the cancellation terms before you sign.
Decide who does what
He may want to clear his own walk at five in the morning, and he may be right that he can still manage it. Decide with him which parts are his and which parts belong to the crew, then write the plan down on the fridge. A written plan lets him keep his routine, lets you stop worrying about the steps, and gives the crew one clear list. Tell him you are not taking the shovel away. You are only making sure he does not have to carry it up icy steps alone.