Snow Removal

[calvarylandscapegroup]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if I could get a little help with pricing for snow removal. I've tried other sites and I have had no luck at all. I was wondering if anyone knew how to price out spreading salt, doing sidewalks and plowing residential and commericial. thanks for the help

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

I would look into what your competition is charging. Prices don't really vary much, you'll see a 10-15 dollar difference between most companies. Depending on how you do the service(s), the price will vary. Also take into consideration the price you pay for the salt, etc. I know salt is really inexpensive which allows for you to make a pretty good chunk of cash. I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless you are doing parking lots/commercial walkways.

[Steve]

Also have you experimented with the snow plow calculator here? It should help you get a understanding of what your costs are and how they effect what you bid.

[calvarylandscapegroup]

Thanks i have not looked into the snow calculator but i will check it out.

[Cashin H&P]

All I can add is know your operating costs, then add and hourly rate to it. For example,

I by my salt for $7 a bag, I fill my spreader with 3 at a time (150 lbs)this will do most mof my small parking lots.

One lot (1 1/2 - 2 hours ) operating cost:

Salt : $21
Gas : $20

Hourly labor rate $50 (x2)

total for lot: $141

Thats how I do it, it works for me. It may need some tweaking to work for you.

[willshome]

Cashin $20 gas in two hours???
I think $50 an hour is low most subcontracts around here get $45 to $80
Plow Driver $30
With a truck $50
and what about the time spent getting the salt you need to get paid for that $7 bag + $3 pickup fee = $10

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by willshome

Cashin $20 gas in two hours???
I think $50 an hour is low most subcontracts around here get $45 to $80
Plow Driver $30
With a truck $50
and what about the time spent getting the salt you need to get paid for that $7 bag + $3 pickup fee = $10

I'm paying subs $70-$90 a hour and drivers without a truck $25. I had a guy fill out a app wanting $120 for a truck and $90 for atv.

Salt seems cheap too. I buy it for $110 a ton and charge $330 a ton to spread. Thats a 300% mark up and includes time to spread.

150lb spreader? Is that a push spreader? Havent had much luck with those. After buying 3 different brands and having them all fail in less then 2 seasons. We now use buckets and feed the birds.

The other part that doesnt make sense is a 1 1/2-2 hours plowing and 150 lbs of salt. If its taking that long the lot should be 1 1/2 -2 1/2 acre and around 1000-1500lbs in salt.

[Cashin H&P]

Originally Posted by willshome

Cashin $20 gas in two hours???
I think $50 an hour is low most subcontracts around here get $45 to $80
Plow Driver $30
With a truck $50
and what about the time spent getting the salt you need to get paid for that $7 bag + $3 pickup fee = $10

I buy my salt in bulk at the begining of the season and do VERY LITTLE salting Like I said it works for me. This last storm I averaged $65 an hour. This is just my first year and I will be doing my bidding differently next season.

[willshome]

Cashin I am in the same boat (rethinking pricing & service area) I am spending to much time driving and need more time with my plow down making good money.
P.S. try to get more salt jobs you can make good money even when not plowable snow

[Cashin H&P]

Originally Posted by willshome

Cashin I am in the same boat (rethinking pricing & service area) I am spending to much time driving and need more time with my plow down making good money.
P.S. try to get more salt jobs you can make good money even when not plowable snow

My problem is that I can only use my tailgate sander until I get a bigger truck and get a vbox spreader.