I am just getting into the Snow Removal Business and was wondering if there are any good guidelines for what to charge. I am removing snow only as I haven't ordered a salt spreader yet, hope to add that next year. Any help on what to charge would be great. I was thinking between $35 and $45 for a standard residential driveway, say 10 feet by 70 feet.
JAD, I don't know where that is in Pa., but I'm here in Pitsburgh and I would lose every one of my accounts if I charged $45. I charge between $20 and $50 ($50 big drives), and I always put down a little salt. I finish my commercial lots and I have about 10 residentials I do. P.S. When you get ready for a spreader I have the perfect one for ya. Ron
Must have been an error, I deleted the other 3 since they are identical to the first, and posted at the same time. ~Chuck
Jad I average $35 for a residential driveway, that would be one that leads to a 2 car garage and 75 to 100 ft long. That also include some shoveling in front of garage doors. With myself and 1 helper it takes on average 12 min. that includes collecting cash from the customer.
$35.00 is rock bottom out this way. I work Del & Mont county and most drives start at 40-45 a push. I have 3 that are over $100.00 a push with "0" tolerance. I have 2 shovelers on board to get in front of garages & do the walks. Don't sell yourself short out here, they will pay the money for service!! Mark
Here in Western Montgomery County I charge $30-35 per drive, NO SHOVELING! I'm a snowplower NOT a shoveler. In and out in 5 min. I really prefer parkinglots though, thats where the real money is. No travelling. I'm at lots for about an hour or so each. The less time that plow is raised and you are driving to and from, the less money you are making. The streets are a dangerous place to be during a snow storm! Too many residential driveway owners dont want to be plowed unless it gets to be about a 6" snow, then they come crawling out of the woodwork and the phone starts ringing. Plus, residentials ALL want to be done FIRST! "Hold on Tommy, let me move the cars for you...you just wait while I move them." Time is money. Commercials are far less headaches and aggravation. [Edited by dixie1 on 01-24-2001 at 03:44 PM]
Hey Tom, Whatever works for you. There is plenty of work out this way and all of mine are signed with a 2" trigger. The accounts I got require entrances, walks, ect. & they will pay for it. This is my first year plowing in a long time & I'm learning what a PIA res. are. But for this year I'm having fun & making some good coin. I don't promise anybody a time but I do tell them I will try to get to them before 4-5" are on the drives. Most of them got suv's and can get out, they just don't want to move it. Good luck & maybe see you around. Mark
Hey Superhero, Take it easy on our new members before you go bashing them & making enemies. I'm going to have to erase one beer from the ones I owe you . Pusher, Welcome to the forum. The multiple posting thing happens every once in a while & I assure you Iowa meant no offense & was just having fun with what happened. However we will make him in stay in his room for 2 days for... well.. because we can.
Hey Pusher I generally charge a minimum of 20.00 although the average driveway comes in around 25-30.00 dont shovel any more than you have to,that ten minutes is valuable.Dont overprice yourself at my rates I started with one truck and in just a short time I now have four trucks Im not under pricing Im just charging what the market will bear in my area and offering professional quick response service.Try to get as much commercial as possible for they want services even when there is only one or two inches.Definitely want to salt,more money there than plowing if bid properly.Remember your sales pitch may set the standard,If you tell people you would render service after two inches they may go for it,however if you tell them they dont need anything until five inches or more you may eliminate alot of work,people will listen just say the right sales pitch.good luck
