nplomba - after our last 14" snow, I got more calls wanting roof raking than plowing. Problem is nobody around here does that except roofing companies and they're expensive. When I looked into adding roof raking, I found that I'd need additional insurance, additional equipment and that one of the problems with hiring people for that is that there is a lot of Workman's Comp claims. While working without the right equipment (ropes for anchoring etc) results in falling off the roof, some workers intentionally fall. Landing in a pile of snow helps cushion the fall and they can still claim an injury which will keep them from working "the rest of their life". So the cost of WC insurance is now high so you need to charge more to cover the cost. Then along comes some guy with a ladder and a shovel who'll do it for 1/2 of that and your just out. And remember, even if you do it without employees, you still need additional business insurance.
But your area might be different.
Mick