Need help with snow removal rates.

[MrPlow2011]

Hello, I'm a 27 yr student who is looking to make some extra cash during the winter and though I would start with residential snow removal. Would should i charge for my self plow a residential sidewalk and drive way? My tools are Snow plow 24' Shovels And the widow makers hr rate? piece work? Thanks ahead of time

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

Lawn care business tips

Just to clarify you have a 24 foot snow plow or is it a 24 inch snow blower? If its a snow blower is it a single or dual stage? What state are you in? I would go with an hourly rate. You say 40 an hour you estimate it's a half hour job so you charge a lil more planning for an oops $25. That's my theory.

__________________
Liberty Landscaping LLC
www.libertylndscpng.com
Woodbridge, NJ

[RSE]

That gang of ten kids with shovels on a winter school cancelled day will crush you. Their sweet faces and ten bucks an hour will land them the work. You must make plans with the homeowner before the snow flies. Look for potential threats that could damage your equipment or their personal property. Figure out berforehand where to toss the snow and what it maybe like 15 storms from now. These are the things you have to go about before you enter the realm of snow removal.
But you can make some money...Get yourself a roof rake, a push behind salt spreader and ice melt. Most important, do a good job. Neighbors get envy and will approach you. Now you are pro and will command $40. per driveway/household. Good Luck!!

[Steve]

That gang of ten kids with shovels on a winter school cancelled day will crush you. Their sweet faces and ten bucks an hour will land them the work. You must make plans with the homeowner before the snow flies.

Do you suggest trying to get the homeowners locked into a snow removal contract? Or what do you feel is the best way to combat a situation like you explained with the local kids going around offering to remove snow?

[Hedgemaster]

I don't know where you find kids willing to get off their a$$es these days.

When I went door to door last winter handing out my business info, you wouldn't believe how many people said "Great! It used to be that kids came around when it snowed, but that doesn't happen any more!"

[Martywdx]

My customers wouldn't hire "That gang of ten kids with shovels". My clients want reliably. The gang of ten wouldn't be there with a 1 2 or 3 inch plus snow fall if school isn't cancelled. My clients are older or "snow birds" and want the assurance that their walks are cleared per city law, and that they can easily get out of their garage for the weekly bridge game or daily errors. I get 15 -20 per snow event, more if its a monster storm.

Bottom line be there when it snows or don't do it...

[mschlotter]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

I don't know where you find kids willing to get off their a$$es these days.

When I went door to door last winter handing out my business info, you wouldn't believe how many people said "Great! It used to be that kids came around when it snowed, but that doesn't happen any more!"

Try Eastern Pa, Me and 2 friends have been out every winter. Equipped with 2 snow blowers and shovels. Worked out pretty good, going to be handing out business cards this winter. I hear you though, I'm only 16 and I know so many people that play video games and are to lazy to work.

[MrPlow2011]

Originally Posted by Liberty Landscaping LLC

Just to clarify you have a 24 foot snow plow or is it a 24 inch snow blower? If its a snow blower is it a single or dual stage? What state are you in? I would go with an hourly rate. You say 40 an hour you estimate it's a half hour job so you charge a lil more planning for an oops $25. That's my theory.

Thanks fro the replys everyone...

I have though about the debate when comepting with the kids.. how ever they cant be out every day and I can... But your are right, I was one of those kids before ... and man did i make a killing using just y shovel..

Steve..

I would be a 24 inch wide... snow blower... 2 stage...

How long does it take to kill a drive way plus walk way? about and hour Is my guess. if so $ 40 hr seems resonable...

I'm just starting out so I'm going to post adds, and start flyering soon. As soon as the first fall hits I will start door to door... but I would like to have a package together ahead of time. This way, if some one is on the fence about it, they can take my rates and number then call me, should they change there mind...

My citys get hammered with snow every year, so I can't see a problem finding the work... I just need to figure out a flate rate to charge people, one that is low enough to stay competative, but high enough to generate profit...

I was thinking somthing like $15 for walk way and $30 for drive way... Note we get way more then 6 inches of snow here...

Thanks gain..

[robgee05]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

I don't know where you find kids willing to get off their a$$es these days.

When I went door to door last winter handing out my business info, you wouldn't believe how many people said "Great! It used to be that kids came around when it snowed, but that doesn't happen any more!"

IM with you HM, They are mostly lazy. THe smart ones have sowblowers and charge $40 plus a DRIVEWAY....LOL

[boats47]

You have to know your overhead costs, it is differnt for every company. Once you know your costs then you can figure out the time it takes to one driveway and then how many in an hour, per storm, for the year. Compile all of this and you get your hour cost to run a plow and how many properties you need to turn profit. Buss 101!