Monster Blizzard Of 2013

[BelleCityLawn1]

LawnCareMan280,

I'm down here in Racine and we got 14inches of super heavy wet snow. I worked 22 hours straight yesterday and a couple more this morning. I made out pretty good but due to the amount of time everything took my labor cost was extremely high. Lessons to adjust in pricing bigger snowfalls for next year!

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

[Steve]

Lessons to adjust in pricing bigger snowfalls for next year!

How do you feel your bidding process will change next year with this lesson in mind?

[BelleCityLawn1]

Well for snow removal for residential I have a set price. Over 6 inches I add another $10 to the price. Next year over 6 inches I will add an extra $5 and every 2 inches over 6 inches I will add another $5 for. So for a house I do $40 for the set price if we get 12 inches it will be $65 which is where I should be at to make some extra money. Just some small changes. I did not lose any money during the storm but I need to be making more for the amount of extra labor that's all.

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

[Cashin H&P]

Originally Posted by BelleCityLawn1

Well for snow removal for residential I have a set price. Over 6 inches I add another $10 to the price. Next year over 6 inches I will add an extra $5 and every 2 inches over 6 inches I will add another $5 for. So for a house I do $40 for the set price if we get 12 inches it will be $65 which is where I should be at to make some extra money. Just some small changes. I did not lose any money during the storm but I need to be making more for the amount of extra labor that's all.

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

Wow thats cheap. For this storm I sent out bills for $100+ to all of my customers. (20+ inches) My prices are done by inch amount, 2-7 7-12 12-16 16+ for a 12 inch storm most drive ways are $80 (ish)

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by BelleCityLawn1

Well for snow removal for residential I have a set price. Over 6 inches I add another $10 to the price. Next year over 6 inches I will add an extra $5 and every 2 inches over 6 inches I will add another $5 for. So for a house I do $40 for the set price if we get 12 inches it will be $65 which is where I should be at to make some extra money. Just some small changes. I did not lose any money during the storm but I need to be making more for the amount of extra labor that's all.

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

Thats way to low. You should bump it up about $10 a inch.
The last storm the cheapest customer was $120 and the most was $380. Dont work so hard for nothing.

My price doubles ever 4"
so a $50 driveway will be $100 at 5-8" and $150 for 8-12".

Originally Posted by BelleCityLawn1

Well for snow removal for residential I have a set price. Over 6 inches I add another $10 to the price. Next year over 6 inches I will add an extra $5 and every 2 inches over 6 inches I will add another $5 for. So for a house I do $40 for the set price if we get 12 inches it will be $65 which is where I should be at to make some extra money. Just some small changes. I did not lose any money during the storm but I need to be making more for the amount of extra labor that's all.

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

that is low. I don't do commercial nor do I do residential other than my lawn customers. I would, but the snowfall here in the St Louis area for the past 2 years is at record lows and I can't justify buying a plow. I snowblow/shovel...yes shoveling is actually faster than snow blowing in some cases.

that being said, think about it. That one inch of snowfall adds up over the width of the driveway. So whether it's a plow, snow blower or shovel, by the time you get across a 20 foot driveway, how many inches is it? The one inch? or a couple feet?

Not only the depth, but wet snow? or dry powder? Is sleet mixed in? These are all factors in a well rounded bid and price. That's not even counting overhead and other costs and expenses.

Not every customer wanted snow removal this past snowfall. I did 10 driveways plus 3 i picked up from their neighbors that caught me while I was clearing my clients. 13 driveways, my invoices were $800. Not as much as a guy with a plow and commercial accounts, but not bad for someone not focusing on the whole market and only on his own clients.

[BelleCityLawn1]

Where I am located the people tend to be extremely cheap. I am going to be raising my prices next year but most of the driveways are 20ft long by one car wide so in a regular snowfall they take about 10 minutes to clear (1-5 inches). I will take the advice though! Thanks!

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC