SNOW PLOWING CONTRACTS (RATES)

[pinkbaglady]

[b] I AM BEING APPROACHED ALREADY BY SOME COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS FOR SNOW PLOWING CONTRACTS. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE GOING RATE IS? I LIVE IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK. THE SNOW HERE CAN BE SOMEWHAT SLOW FROM NOV - JAN BUT WE USUALLY GET HIT WITH A STORM OR TWO FROM JAN - MARCH. I HAVE READ THAT CONTRACTS SHOULD READ "UNLIMITED SERVICE" OR IS IT BASED ON A CERTAIN NUMBER OF TIMES? I SURE COULD USE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET ON THIS ON. THANK YOU! LORETTA

Lawn care business tips

there are many multiple ways that you can setup a contract. Either per push, per hour, per event, etc.

[Little's]

Wish I could help, but we only get about 2 inches of snow per year.

[pinkbaglady]

[b]The commercial property is a local gas station. It sits on a corner lot and includes a convenience store. If I use per push, per hour or per event can you give me an example of how much you would charge? Also, would you include salting with your price or would that be extra? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Steve]

Also did you check our lawn care contracts section at top? I think there is a sample snow plow contract in there as well.

[pinkbaglady]

[b]THANKS ONCE AGAIN TEAM GOPHER I TOOK A LOOK AT THE SNOW PLOW CONTRACT AND WAS VERY EXCITED TO SEE SUCH A PROFESSIONAL LOOKING CONTRACT. I DOWNLOADED IT IMMEDIATELY. ALL I NEED NOW IS AN AVERAGE GOING RATE. FOR EXAMPLE TO MOW SOMEONE'S LAWN IS RATED AT $1 PER MINUTE. IS THERE A BASIC FORMULA FOR PLOWING SNOW?

Snow is really tricky in pricing out. You can either make a killing or lose your butt on it. I would definetely price out the salting and snow removal seperately. You will salt probably 3 times as more compared to snow removal.

[RSE]

This can be handled with several different approaches. It all depends on the property to be cleared. What I call the "pita" factor...With one residential driveway, it is a HUGE "pita", massive backdragging, dead end application, million dollar garage, etc...so, I charge by the amount of snow ($50.00 every 6 in.) because that directly relates to the time I spend there. Another commercial property is really, really easy. Plenty of room, push snow off of a cliff, no cars, etc.. so I know I won't be there long. This type I will give a flat rate ($300.00), one set price, because the "pita" factor is low. Giving out estimates is a strategy best looked at from the angle of difficulty. Say you have a commercial high traffic area (foot or cars), this adds time because you are always working around people, you add dollars to the price. Say you have a clear shot driveway right around the corner from home. This can be a money maker because you can set the price and know for a fact time is on your side. *note* When proposing an estimate, be sure NOT to include shoveling, roof raking or sanding. These are upgrade services that you offer, not included in the "plow-only-I'm-not-getting-out-of-the-truck-price" These services are seperate and are to be handled seperately. Hope this helps....

[Steve]

This type I will give a flat rate ($300.00), one set price, because the "pita" factor is low.

With such a price, would this still be based on every 6 inches? Or would it be based on something else?

[RSE]

Yes Steve, that would cost $300.00 every six inches, and I plow the very first six inches. With this I include forecasted snowfall totals and actual totals. If the storm produces 9" of snow, I will charge half price for the return trip.