Snow Plowing for profit

[fatjay]

Keep in mind, driveways aren't quite the same as roads. They scratch, and the owner may be less forgiving if you damage it.

 

[RNeumann]

Insurance and liability-I’d hate the pressure/obligation you’d have once it’s a business. From wanting to go on vacation, to a breakdown, to a snow storm on a holiday people rightfully expect you to be there.
Forget it.

 

[RichM752]

I charge 100/75. $100 for a yearly set up fee, and $75 per hour, which amounts to 1.25 per minute, i.e 20 minutes work = $25. I have 10 customers on contract at this rate, all within a 1/2 mile, and all are more than happy to have the service. I bill once per month. When I'm called to plow/blow someone without contract it's $150 per hour. Business license,insurance,fuel,filters,fluids, expensive equipment, all warrant these fees. That $100 yearly setup fee is good for any work they might need any time of the year (backhoe/grapple/scraper/forks). I'll walk with owner entire area to be cleared prior to snow season, and mark any and all obstacles, with a 1 foot clearance. One customer has 12-18" rocks along both side of her driveway, adjacent to pavement. Her driveway gets plowed narrower than the others. Any doubt, and it doesn't get cleared with my tractor.

 

[TheMan419]

When we lived in town we had a guy do it for $25 cash. Had to agree to no specified time to be plowed. He had commercial jobs too.

 

[scesnick]

.

(got a MIL in Friendsville):thumbsup:

I work in Hazelton and ride through Friendsville every day, Nice little town for sure.

 

[scesnick]

Thanks for the input fellas. My co worker went out plowing once last season and made almost 3k ! Now granted it was big snow and driveways around his areas are generally pretty long so he was charging usually around $50-$75. He threw it out there on Facebook that he was plowing driveways and he couldn't keep up with the demand.

 

[Old Red]

Thanks for the input fellas. My co worker went out plowing once last season and made almost 3k ! Now granted it was big snow and driveways around his areas are generally pretty long so he was charging usually around $50-$75. He threw it out there on Facebook that he was plowing driveways and he couldn't keep up with the demand.

What kind of equipment was he using? Was he just doing the driveway and leaving or did he get out, shovel sidewalks as well?

 

[scesnick]

What kind of equipment was he using? Was he just doing the driveway and leaving or did he get out, shovel sidewalks as well?

No shoveling that I know of. He has a Massey tractor ( not sure the model) with a quick attach plow on the front and a blower on the rear.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't ask for money for helping people. Where I draw the line, whether it's occasional or on a regular basis. As soon as you start doing it regularly, you can't stop. I like helping people, but not being someones doormat.

And in a sense, you could stand on the corner and hand out money while you are at it. It's not really any different. Except the plowing is harder.

Years ago, I did do a little snow removal. It wasn't worth the money for the responsibility. Plus, breaking stuff, other peoples and my own was an occasional headache. If you are energetic, get up at four anyway, and can't sit still, it's probably a better fit. That's not me however.

 

[Tomtint]

I plow a commercial lot in the winters. By contract the truck is there from the time it first needs to be plowed until the final cleanup is done. Basically it never leaves unless for fuel. My insurance is North of 6k a year and the truck/ plow/ sander is north of 65k worth of equipment. ..and this does not include maintenance or wear and tear on the stuff. Snowplowing is blood money and imo, really difficult to justify given the liability and horrible hours, let alone the treacherous conditions you will usually find yourself in.