Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Pushing snow for other's on the side

[CowwFace]

Hey List,

Any thoughts on the pro's vs the con's on putting up some signs in my area for "Snow Plowing on Demand".

How do I go about estimating what to charge someone to plow out their driveway? Here in this area of Colorado we typically get more snow in the Spring, but over the winter can get 2-3 significant storms .. about 12 to 24 inches is typical.

I don't want to have to put the tractor on the trailer for this.. so a pretty limited customer base , but quite a few private roads, and longer driveways. I was thinking about keying the amount charged to the number of inches of snow that falls??

Your thoughts are greatly appriacated.

 

[F1520]

Leaving the liability insurance and other obvious issues aside, pricing for plowing around here goes like this:

A fixed dollar amount for the first 8" of snow based on the plow driver's assessment of the area to be plowed (time, hazards, gravel vs. paved area, special situations, etc.). Snowfall in excess of 8" priced at x dollars additional per inch. Snowfall amounts for billing are per NWS reported amounts for nearest reporting area to prevent disputes.

So something like $100 to plow a driveway of the first 8" of snow, plus $20 per each additional inch, means a ten inch snowfall is billed at $140.

Snowfalls less than 8" are not plowed or are plowed only at the request of the customer.

You might also want to specify when plowing will begin... after the first 8", at first light, at the end of snowfall, etc.

Sounds like a cool idea. Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[harpoonalt]

We live on a 1/2 mile dirt road. Our plow guy charges us $60 a plow. Says it's easier than most driveways because it's in and out and his price was comparable to other quotes I got. We split it 9 ways in our homeowners association. You price will be whatever the market is in your area. Having been in the lawn care business and having lawyers as friends, I will tell you this. To protect yourself, you need liability insurance. I paid $275 for a million dollar policy. I wouldn't do anything for money without it. Just my .02
I know a lot of people who plow as a business and most do it per plow. Big storms require multiple plowings to keep the road or drive clear. You'll get a lot of people who want you to plow under certain conditions(not til the end of the storm, only above a certain amount, you name it) and most want a fixed price per time. Plowsite.com has the info you need.

 

[CowwFace]

Leaving the liability insurance and other obvious issues aside, pricing for plowing around here goes like this:

A fixed dollar amount for the first 8" of snow based on the plow driver's assessment of the area to be plowed (time, hazards, gravel vs. paved area, special situations, etc.). Snowfall in excess of 8" priced at x dollars additional per inch. Snowfall amounts for billing are per NWS reported amounts for nearest reporting area to prevent disputes.

So something like $100 to plow a driveway of the first 8" of snow, plus $20 per each additional inch, means a ten inch snowfall is billed at $140.

Snowfalls less than 8" are not plowed or are plowed only at the request of the customer.

You might also want to specify when plowing will begin... after the first 8", at first light, at the end of snowfall, etc.

Sounds like a cool idea. Good luck! :thumbsup:

Hey F1520,
Thanks for the Info. I was going to just keep it small and try to avoid Liability Insurance... but cripes I don't know if it's worth the risk.. looks like someone could sue me if they slip on a place where I have pushed the snow.. it's getting redicilous in this country. I can't even get the people on MY road to throw in one dime for plowing.. and I'm thinking about whippin myself with more... I'm going to rethink this...

Thanks again

 

[CowwFace]

We live on a 1/2 mile dirt road. Our plow guy charges us $60 a plow. Says it's easier than most driveways because it's in and out and his price was comparable to other quotes I got. We split it 9 ways in our homeowners association. You price will be whatever the market is in your area. Having been in the lawn care business and having lawyers as friends, I will tell you this. To protect yourself, you need liability insurance. I paid $275 for a million dollar policy. I wouldn't do anything for money without it. Just my .02
I know a lot of people who plow as a business and most do it per plow. Big storms require multiple plowings to keep the road or drive clear. You'll get a lot of people who want you to plow under certain conditions(not til the end of the storm, only above a certain amount, you name it) and most want a fixed price per time. Plowsite.com has the info you need.

Hey harpoonalt,
Thank you for your input! I took a look at the plowsite.com and yeowzers! There is a lot that goes into pushing snow that I had not thought of... the Insurance was something I will admit I was going to skip on.... but I think it's too much of a risk w/o it. Sad state for the country... a fella can't get 'er done w/o freaking insurance.

How come you have someone ELSE do your road? .. Well .. I guess $60.00 over 9 is pretty good price to keep you from having to get out in the cold... but the fun you're missing.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[LoPresti Lawnscape]

The sign is probably from a contractor looking for sub contractors in which case you would be paid by the hour.

 

[F1520]

Hey F1520,
Thanks for the Info. I was going to just keep it small and try to avoid Liability Insurance... but cripes I don't know if it's worth the risk.. looks like someone could sue me if they slip on a place where I have pushed the snow.. it's getting redicilous in this country. I can't even get the people on MY road to throw in one dime for plowing.. and I'm thinking about whippin myself with more... I'm going to rethink this...

Thanks again

Howdy and you're welcome. A friend of mine used to plow and I would ride with him sometimes. I got to see the good and the bad of dealing with customers without having to take the crap myself!

Liability insurance isn't only for slips and falls... sometimes the plow strikes an object hidden in the snow, like a landscaping light, and rips out a string of them... or you lose traction on an icy spot and ding the side of the customer's car. :ashamed: I've seen both of these happen. No big deal, just something to consider. And then there's the folks that don't pay for last winter's plowing until the first snow of this winter.... yeah, really, I saw that happen, too. :laughing:

I do my driveway and the neighbor's directly across the road, (with the snowblower in past years, the rear blade this coming winter) but it's just a favor for a friend, I don't get paid and wouldn't accept it if they tried. Beyond that, you have the potential for more or less serious issues, so that's something to consider. I wouldn't say it's a bad idea, just a different one.

If you can get a few neighbors and neighbors' neighbors to go in something informal, it might work out well. You'd get seat time and a little something for the new implement fund. :thumbsup:

 

[Cat_Driver]

Good way to lose neighbors to make a few bucks. The second you dig up too much drive, bring up some grass, drive over a flower bed, hit a mail bix etc. you will be toast.

Nah not worth it. OH and I didn't even touch on the liability thing or insurance thing. Once you take a dime you insurance company will consider you a business and charge you more ORRRR, refuse to pay a claim since you WERE taking money.

All around it not such a great idea.

 

[PILOON]

I plowed for 12 years without any special insurance w/o problems.( you need markers to know where U are plowing)
B4 quoting, I'd sit for a while planning or plotting my stratagy for each drive; i.e. where do I push snow, wind direction and stuff like that.
As a result some short drives would cost more than one that might be 2-3 times longer.
For speed, my truck plow won out hands down but I'd need to factor in how many times I might need to blow the accumulation away.

Essentially you need to know how much per hour you need to get and how many times you have to go out B4 you you can quote.

Never include sanding as clients will never think you sand enough and they then think they will not buy snow tires as after all the sand is free.

Also state what minimum snowfall you will come out for. 2",3"?

Good luck, have fun!

 

[TGF]

watch yourself, some jackwagon from the city with his first gravel drive will sue you for pushing it all into his yard.