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.

 

[yooper1]

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

TGF said "jackwagon"...:laughing: :thumbsup:

 

[LoPresti Lawnscape]

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:

Good post. I plowed for years as a sub and for myself doing commercials and residential.

You DO need liability insurance to cover your ***, but most slip and falls due to ice or snow are tossed out of court if they get that far.

Judges know that Ice and Snow is....Tada! Slippery!

Only if you were negligent would you lose in court.

Most Ins companies will settle well before it gets to court though.

It's also sometimes a challenge even finding an insurance company that will cover snow removal but they are out there.

I know a lot of guys try to pull it off but it's difficult to have a real daytime job and do snow too. People want it done right then and there and most wont want to wait ten hours to get it done. Or.....youll be pushing starting at 3 am, and what if you have to be at work at 7?

 

[beenthere]

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".

...........

What does "Snow plowing on Demand" mean? That when the customer wants it done, you will come?
Who "demands" ??

 

[Ford tractor]

A friend plows and makes good money. But, he also works a day job and then plows from 6pm until dawn, naps for 2 hours and heads to work. Uhh not for me.

He has had people intentionally pull behind him in rolling rubbish just so he will back into them. Ow! My neck ! Whiplash! You ruined my pristine 1986 escort ! It's a classic worth 5,000! He also has a lot of the residential customers with edge lights, plantings etc that get trashed and try to bill him for that in the spring. His contract states that he is not responsible for incidental damage to anything withing 20' of the pavement. It's 20' to account for moving mounds of snow by the way.

 

[Gordon Gould]

CowFace I went through the same thought process. Thought I could make some money since I had equipment to plow with. But after trying it I decided it wasn't for me. You have to have an awful thick skin to deal with some people who are quite unreasonable in there expectations. ( You plowed to much, You didn't plow enough, You came to late, and on and on ) and then you have to fight to get your money. But the worst for me is that you always have to hurry and get this one done so that you can rush to the next.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Being in business for your self is not for everyone. Some people can do it successfully, most cannot. It is sad that so much has to be considered today just to make a few bucks.

Good luck with your decision. :thumbsup:

 

[CowwFace]

TGF said "jackwagon"...:laughing: :thumbsup:

Heheeh.. I got to laugh about that TWICE now.. hehe.. I love this list.

Phill

 

[CowwFace]

CowFace I went through the same thought process. Thought I could make some money since I had equipment to plow with. But after trying it I decided it wasn't for me. You have to have an awful thick skin to deal with some people who are quite unreasonable in there expectations. ( You plowed to much, You didn't plow enough, You came to late, and on and on ) and then you have to fight to get your money. But the worst for me is that you always have to hurry and get this one done so that you can rush to the next.

Hey Gordon,

I think I'm falling into the same line of thinking .... I built a database to use in my Business and I enjoyed doing it.. So I thought I would sell it to other people to use... BIG MISTAKE ... I had about 20 users ... and it was ****!! Every computer problem they had from the moment my database (MS Access) was on their machine was MY problem.. I turned a hobbie that I enjoyed into a 2nd job.. and it was bad... Don't want to do the same for my tractor'in ...

Phill

 

[CowwFace]

Hey List,

Thanks for all of your input on this issue. Here's the takehome I've gathered .. I'll put the con's first.

CONS:
1: Good way to Loose Neighbors and make a few bucks..... I don't want to have to listen to how I screwed up someone's driveway lights EVERY time I see them in the area.

2: Liability Insurance. I think I was in la la land for a few hours when I came up with the idea.. "I've got the tractor and blade... why not make some money on the side with it ... don't cost me anymore??" But I think poneying up $500.00 up front for insurance defeats the "don't cost nothing" approach.

3: Dealing with nusiance issues like JACKWAGONS (hehehe) blaming me for needing new road base / re-claimed asphalt every 5 years .. and then wanting me to pay for it!!

PROS:
1. I get to do something I Enjoy (seat time) and even get paid for it.

2. Uhh... that's all I can think of ...

My Summary:

I think I'm going to just push the snow on my driveway and road ... and if someone else asks me to do theirs.. I'll do it with a smile on my face. I think I will use a line I've seen here .. I'll do it for free but if you offer to pay me I won't do it at all... sorry I don't know who said that.

Thanks for all of your input guys!

Phill

 

[bigdad]

I do a couple for folks I know pretty well. I get paid too.

In our village our maintenance guys clean drives (free) after all of the streets are cleared. Mostly elderly and folks that can't physically remove snow. This year we are requiring a release form. Sad, small town living out the window!!

You might try a release for your little business.