Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Indulge My Business Idea for a Minute

[timster2]

I have a lot of experience with salt spreaders. Salt will get into everything within several yards of where it is stored. Fumes/vapors from the salt will penetrate and get into places you could never imagine, no direct contact required. Anything parked near the salt will rot. You cannot store salt in whatever you plan to use for spreading more than a few days without unloading and reloading. The salt holds a lot of moisture and will harden into a solid, think of that salt shaker on your table after a few humid days just a lot bigger. If you plan to hose down your tractor after spreading salt you will only spread the problem quicker. The lifespan of your tractor will suffer tremendously plan on half the lifespan you were expecting.

 

[strum456]

I don't disagree with anything that has been said. However, it is a shame that a guy can't go out on his tractor and earn some extra money plowing snow without having to consider a bunch of liability nonsense. My dad has told me stories about how my grandfather would take our Ford 960 15 miles into town after a big storm. He would plow out gas stations, parking lots, and anybody that needed it. No contracts, no nonsense, just snow that needed plowed and people willing to pay to have it done. This was in the 60s. I wouldn't dream of trying that today.

 

[allen6634]

as i read all of the posts , and i must say there is some very wise advice here , it seems that you arn't going to take anyones advice , so i must ask,
why did you post this anyway?

 

[Olympus]

as i read all of the posts , and i must say there is some very wise advice here , it seems that you arn't going to take anyones advice , so i must ask,
why did you post this anyway?

Don't know where you come up with that. How do you know I haven't already called my insurance to get a quote on an umbrella policy? Seems a little presumptuous.

 

[Olympus]

I don't disagree with anything that has been said. However, it is a shame that a guy can't go out on his tractor and earn some extra money plowing snow without having to consider a bunch of liability nonsense. My dad has told me stories about how my grandfather would take our Ford 960 15 miles into town after a big storm. He would plow out gas stations, parking lots, and anybody that needed it. No contracts, no nonsense, just snow that needed plowed and people willing to pay to have it done. This was in the 60s. I wouldn't dream of trying that today.

Heck, I mowed yards every summer during college. No insurance policy, no CPA doing my taxes, no contracts, just a guy with a mower going door to door, and that was only about 7 years ago. Made enough money to pay for most of my college, never had anyone sue me, and had a great time. I didn't have to have a business plan drafted either. I guess it's a good thing I didn't ask for advice on a forum back then or I would be up to my eyes on student loan debt right now from being scared away.

I appreciate all the advice, particularly the technical advice. I'm thoroughly scared away from using any kind of salt or brine with a brand new tractor. Definitely good information to know up front.

 

[skyhook]

I say, give it a shot,
Just make sure, (if) you have to sign something, it states that your NOT responsible
for any type of damage.
It would be better if there were "no" contract at all.
Just an invoice at the end of the season.
I do 14 cottages (homes), I now charge a flat rate, since I also live here and am retired,
enjoy doing it, "no contract" just a bill to justify expenses to the comity.
We have a hill and a few curves that have to be salted etc,
We have a couple of storage bins, salt/stonedust that's spread manually, probably not
a good idea in your case,lol,,
but when it gets too bad on the ice dept., I hire out for the salt truck,
and charge extra for these times. (the most was 4 times that was contracted out for salt),
it doesn't happen that often.
Something you could also consider.
Good luck, and yes, you would or should definitely have a cab, heated.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I say, give it a shot,
Just make sure, (if) you have to sign something, it states that your NOT responsible
for any type of damage.
It would be better if there were "no" contract at all.
Just an invoice at the end of the season.
I do 14 cottages (homes), I now charge a flat rate, since I also live here and am retired,
enjoy doing it, "no contract" just a bill to justify expenses to the comity.
We have a hill and a few curves that have to be salted etc,
We have a couple of storage bins, salt/stonedust that's spread manually, probably not
a good idea in your case,lol,,
but when it gets too bad on the ice dept., I hire out for the salt truck,
and charge extra for these times. (the most was 4 times that was contracted out for salt),
it doesn't happen that often.
Something you could also consider.
Good luck, and yes, you would or should definitely have a cab, heated.

Now that, contracting out the salting, makes a bit more sense and would for sure be a better option than storing, loading spreading salt with your tractor. Bad enough to just drive over a salted area. With that option, it may make this job a profitable option IF the HOA agrees to the cost. You still need to look at the fee structure and the time involved to see if it is a money maker for the amount of investment required.

 

[jel1988]

Your insurance will cost more than your fuel!!! You'll have to plow and salt a couple of times just to break even, not even considering your wages or a profit. If there's no profit there's no reason to accept the risk of business.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I refuse to let my stuff near salt or sheit! When our JD 6200 was new, my Dad rented it to the farmer that works our place organically. My Dad always has to try and figure out a way to recover his outlay. Anyway, I was the poor SOB that had to clean the tractor when it came back. It was not worth the little money made, IMO!

 

[sparc]

I guess I could have been more clear. This would not really be an actual business. I would not be getting any kind of insurance. Any damage to my equipment would be my own loss. The subdivision would not hold me liable for any to the roads either.

This would simply be a way to offset the cost of ownership until the loan was paid off.

The subdivisions' lawyer would probably stop them from hiring you, because if YOU don't have insurance THEY will be on the hook 100%. They would get drug into a suit anyway if you damaged something or injured someone because you are working for them, but if you don't have insurance it's all on them.

Protect yourself, make it a legit business and charge accordingly. You can then write off/depreciate that new cab tractor, one that is capable of doing the job efficiently, as a business expense.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Your plan could get sunk as a result of counting on snow. Weather is fickle at times?

 

[Olympus]

The subdivisions' lawyer would probably stop them from hiring you, because if YOU don't have insurance THEY will be on the hook 100%. They would get drug into a suit anyway if you damaged something or injured someone because you are working for them, but if you don't have insurance it's all on them.

Protect yourself, make it a legit business and charge accordingly. You can then write off/depreciate that new cab tractor, one that is capable of doing the job efficiently, as a business expense.

Subdivision does not have a lawyer.

 

[JimRB]

Don't forget to add the price of a plow. A loader bucket is not too efficient. Crosby Equipment Company

 

[Pixguy]

I am the president of a commercial condo assn. and although we don't have an attorney, we have and will unfortunately need one on occasion.
I hire the snow removal and sanders and require a copy of their commercial insurance policy.
Could we hire someone who wanted to do the snow removal on side a lot cheaper? Yup. Would we? Nope.

Either way, I wish you luck and if they allow you give it a shot, I hope it works out to all involved.

 

[forgeblast]

Just to beat the insurance drum again. I sell spoons at craft fairs. I have a 1million dollar policy in-case my tent fly's off and does damage, its about 350 a year for it. I am set up as a sole proprietor, if you are going to do this you may want to form a llc to protect your assets. You will also need to register with the state and pay quarterly sales tax on the money you made. I would also keep a records of everything and receipts.

 

[jel1988]

My insurance agent charges a $1000 minimum for this type of policy, and I checked out another agent just to make sure.

 

[kevin37b]

Just wait till that car sneeks behind you when you decide to throw it in reverse .