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.

 

[PILOON]

As soon as you start doing it regularly, you can't stop.*

Yeah, once knowing freezing rain was in the forecast I decided to leave the 3 inches on the drives as that would absorb the water.
A usual WE client decided to drive up during the week and was very arrogant as hid drive was not 'squeaky clean'.
Usually we had 2 rates, one to assure WE clients service and another for full time residents, eg each and every snow event.
I explained my tactics but he insisted that I do his drive.

*LOL, did get somewhat even as I cleaned the drive but pushed as much snow into his walkway as I could, also made sure his car could enter but no wider.
I did it 'skeaky clean' and told him to find another plow guy as I was not interested .
Well he threatened to sue me.
Takes all kinds and some are simply A holes.

 

[Garandman]

https://www.plowsite.com/

 

[timswi]

My neighbor and I plow my neighborhood (10 driveways and 1000' of right of way) with UTV's..None of our neighbors expect us to do it and are appreciative. We don't want nor expect anything in return--We do get the occasional case of beer which is nice. We have a great neighborhood and the fact that we get a little goofy once in a while with bonfires and the like, the plowing is good insurance against complaints. Besides, a couple of hours in the RTV gives me some quite time. I enjoy plowing just as long something else isn't after my immediate time.

 

[Peter 315]

My neighbor and I plow my neighborhood (10 driveways and 1000' of right of way) with UTV's..None of our neighbors expect us to do it and are appreciative. We don't want nor expect anything in return--We do get the occasional case of beer which is nice. We have a great neighborhood and the fact that we get a little goofy once in a while with bonfires and the like, the plowing is good insurance against complaints. Besides, a couple of hours in the RTV gives me some quite time. I enjoy plowing just as long something else isn't after my immediate time.


View attachment 532066

Everybody likes quiet time , I tell my wife tractor time is my time :laughing:

 

[Old Red]

My neighbor and I plow my neighborhood (10 driveways and 1000' of right of way) with UTV's..None of our neighbors expect us to do it and are appreciative. We don't want nor expect anything in return--We do get the occasional case of beer which is nice. We have a great neighborhood and the fact that we get a little goofy once in a while with bonfires and the like, the plowing is good insurance against complaints. Besides, a couple of hours in the RTV gives me some quite time. I enjoy plowing just as long something else isn't after my immediate time.View attachment 532066

Cool setup you got there! It is amazing what a UTV will do with a plow. I love buzzing around town with mine.

 

[check]

Cool setup you got there! It is amazing what a UTV will do with a plow. I love buzzing around town with mine.

Snd plowing with them is so fast! I get such a kick out of coming roaring out of the garage with my ATV plow, full throttle, and tying into maybe 8 inches of snow. Whether I make it or not depends on how heavy the snow is, so it's always an interesting ride, but I'm always yelling Yeehaw!

 

[Doofy]

Now THAT is the attitude to have...YEEHAW!

 

[timswi]

Cool setup you got there! It is amazing what a UTV will do with a plow. I love buzzing around town with mine.

Thanks..That was a pic from the day I brought it home..Sometimes in August when it's 90 outside I wonder--why do I have this thing..Then when there's a minus zero windchill and plowing to be done--I remember.

Not that I don't use it around the property, but that stuff in the summer can be handled for less than half the cost with another UTV or my quad, which I use a lot...Oh well it's paid for, so I'll keep it. 149 hrs over 8 years and garage kept..Guess I'm hammering it.

 

[Old Red]

Thanks..That was a pic from the day I brought it home..Sometimes in August when it's 90 outside I wonder--why do I have this thing..Then when there's a minus zero windchill and plowing to be done--I remember.

Not that I don't use it around the property, but that stuff in the summer can be handled for less than half the cost with another UTV or my quad, which I use a lot...Oh well it's paid for, so I'll keep it. 149 hrs over 8 years and garage kept..Guess I'm hammering it.

I have a nice polaris ranger with full cab, heat, with wiper blade etc. About 300 hrs. Bout it new in 2010. I have an itch for an RTV and I am trying not to scratch it. Here is a small clip of plowing with the Ranger and Denali plow with hydro angle. These UTVs do a pretty good job.

 

[Doofy]

When did "Man Toys" become so expensive? When working and raising kids couldn't afford them. Now that I am retired, still can't afford them because the costs are ridiculous.

I retired 12 years ago and spent $6K on a '91 F-350 with a snowplow. 2 years ago, I found a Troy-Bilt riding tractor with a 3' snow blower for $300. I see UTV's are selling for $8-20K and while great fun are out of my league.