Anyone out plowin?

grsthegreat · Feb 19, 2021

Rustyiron said:
I'm going out after supper for another nuisance snow, 2". Half the customers will bit ch if you don't plow trying to save them a few bucks, and the other half will if you do plow, and this is Maine! :confused3:

Used to have the same problem....thats one of the main reasons I stopped plowing others

Hay Dude · Feb 19, 2021

grsthegreat said:
Used to have the same problem....thats one of the main reasons I stopped plowing others

What I do is this: before each season starts, I mail a 1 page contract the customer must sign. It says after 1” of snow, I plow. Then it spells out a charge for 1-5, 6-11, 11-16 and multiple plowings if necessary over 11”.
Its not perfect, but they know Im coming after 1”.
I give them the option to call me off if given 24 hour notice, but if they change their mind and the driveway has been driven on and snow is packed, extra charges may apply.
Then I have my cost for salt application.

fried1765 · Feb 19, 2021

Hay Dude said:
What I do is this: before each season starts, I mail a 1 page contract the customer must sign. It says after 1 of snow, I plow. Then it spells out a charge for 1-5, 6-11, 11-16 and multiple plowings if necessary over 11?
Its not perfect, but they know Im coming after 1?
I give them the option to call me off if given 24 hour notice, but if they change their mind and the driveway has been driven on and snow is packed, extra charges may apply.
Then I have my cost for salt application.

I apply my dad's theory!
If it snows less than 6", I let the guy who brought it.take it away.
If it should snow more than 6" I will push the chit aside as minimally necessary, but in a normal Winter, I am looking at pelicans and palm trees instead.
Ain't pushed nothin yet!

Rustyiron · Feb 19, 2021

Dude, it seems you're having a pretty decent snow year "down there". I lived south west (I think) of you in MD where 81 enters and I know it's been years for 3-4" that made it for more than a few days.
We're way behind normal snowfall here. I believe it's that Gator with tracks that we got that did it :laughing: we usually go out 22-25 times a season. Iirc tonight will make around 5 or 6.

RjCorazza · Feb 19, 2021

Rustyiron said:
I'm going out after supper for another nuisance snow, 2". Half the customers will bit ch if you don't plow trying to save them a few bucks, and the other half will if you do plow, and this is Maine! :confused3:

My per plow price is high enough that most customers go with a flat seasonal rate. Makes life simpler for me.
I've had "will call" per plow customers call in advance of a storm with criteria like only plow if over x inches. That got to be a hassle, so now I tell them to call when they actually want me to plow, then I'll get to them as time allows.

I plowed our Maryland sleet and freezing rain event over the past 2 days - finished my last touch up this afternoon. The L4060 with grooved R4's had been great with traction.

senecak19 · Feb 19, 2021

RjCorazza said:
My per plow price is high enough that most customers go with a flat seasonal rate. Makes life simpler for me.
I've had "will call" per plow customers call in advance of a storm with criteria like only plow if over x inches. That got to be a hassle, so now I tell them to call when they actually want me to plow, then I'll get to them as time allows.

I plowed our Maryland sleet and freezing rain event over the past 2 days - finished my last touch up this afternoon. The L4060 with grooved R4's had been great with traction.

I feel for you and thank you for posting your plowing dilemma. I started plowing for a neighbor this year; one client. I didn't go out looking; they came asking. Their elderly and like to shovel 5" and under. And wouldn't you know it, seems most storms drop 5" and I'm over here starring at their driveway thinking, "Do I go or not go?" Already, I relegated to just having them call or text when they want their driveway cleared. I feel bad taking their money honestly. I told them they don't have to pay me, but they insist. So I try to make sure they get their moneys worth and shovel their walkway, entry way and garage doors. What I think it happening is the husband is happy to pay me because he doesn't have to pick up a shovel, but the wife insists they get out there and use it as a form of exercise.

grsthegreat · Feb 19, 2021

i used to plow out alot of houses...but now that im retired i dont want to hassle with plowing out for kids to get to bus stop. I enjoy sleeping in. so about 2 years ago i stopped all contract plowing. i only now do 2 neighbors houses. there also retired so not too urgent as to when i do it.

SylvainG · Feb 19, 2021

Several years ago, I had my private road at the cottage open by a guy with a tractor/blower whenever I went over there in the weekend. He would go Thursday or Friday morning to open the road for us, so I paid him per clearing.

This ended when I realised that if a fire started and the firetruck couldn't come because my road wasn't cleared for several days or over a week, I might had trouble with the insurance so from then, I had the road cleared after every storm.

Hay Dude · Feb 19, 2021

We have been cold here since mid December. Now its not cold to ME (25-35 degrees), but its cold enough that we have been snow covered for about 3-4 weeks now. Weve had 5 plowable snow falls thus far.
Seems like old times round here.....
Next week is in the 40's.
Usually we get ONE in March

I find snowplowing to be really natural for me. Only had 1 accident and that was not really that bad and it was 25 years ago. I keep telling myself " this is my last year" and I break the promise every year.