How to charge for snow plowing - GopherHaul Podcast

[shiyu82]

I have my own set up in Nothwest minnesota, i have 3 F370s, all equipped with Westerns MVP Plus Plow We charge a Flat rate of 20 per driveway weather its 2 inches or 18 inches, The benefits to us is we get so many houses that are near each other, and we are almost 50% cheaper then other people around the area, I cant see chartering per push because that comes down to the drivers skill, if someone takes 8 swipes to clean what i can do in 5 should the customer pay?

[scalesofjustice0]

I'm an illegal mexican... 5 dalla!

[lucky644]

For all you guys bitching about 2" triggers, that's nothing. Around here, a lot of businesses require we push at 1", THEY tell us to. Other places go from 3" up to 6" before pushing.

For some reason this area is really paranoid about snow and lawsuits, so they require clear (see the pavement) after every snowfall, no matter what the cost.

[thegreatnicos]

here in canada (ottawa) we charge for the season. about $375 for a single drive and $450 for a double. we have a cap of 250 CM and additional charges after that of usually $2 per CM. we only do storms over 5CM (2in).. its very rare we do one shot deals.. its been like this up here for ever,

cheers guys!!

[CJSnowplowing]

Well here gas is $3.00 per gallonother fuel is $3.50 per gallon. As of October 24 of 2009. So what the price for fuel the cost there at?

[FASANORACING]

im only 17 me and a couple friends with trucks started a plowing business last year , we plowed each driveway twice once during the storm nd once after, 6"+ three times a storm nd one after , worked good.. we had about thirty driveways ,we made a base price $70 for 3"- nd110 for 6"+ if the drive way was over 500 ft(many were)charged .25 a foot over . we werent rich but each one of us had made about $700. all we did was put a sign , SNOWPLOWING CALL FOR PRICE

[sasktank]

we get at least 80 storms per year

[TURBODIESELWAGON]

Anyone with a snow plow charging less than $2.50 a MINUTE is leaving coin on the table and cutting throats of the professional .

[ManWithAgun83]

really, im thinking of starting and im pretty friendly with the owner of the company that i work for, and am going to ask him if hell let me do it...but aside from being able to save him $, why would he bother, i dont want to low-ball, but just getting started, what else can i do

[ferrisr]

get more competitive then. this is capitalism, if you really cant go that low, neither can the other guy, and he will go up or out of business soon.

[bendoverlikerover]

full charging every 2" is robbery brother. come out once if only 3 inches land. for big storms 6"+ come out full price once after about 5" fall, then come back for a final clean up after the storm for a little over half price. commercial has to be plowed no matter how much snow falls due to ice formation and customer safty. ive been plowing for almost 20 years and never heard of full price charges for returns let alone a 2" trigger come on.

[ctc1111]

I hope your not talking about commercials. I have a "full service" price for our commercials and that includes plowing, sidewalks, ice melt, and salt **IF NEEDED all with a 2" trigger. We plow the places 3-4 times in a 6 inch storm and then ice melt and salt maybe once after the storm is all over. We may even come back to clear in between where cars were all day and charge full service again. A lot of money, but they are the best damn looking lots in town.

[FLASHMAN1973]

2"????? What residential agrees to a 2" trigger? That guy plows for morons if he gets them to agree to let him plow every 2 inches for residentials. But good for him of it's true.

I use a 2" trigger for commercials, but for residentials, most people want you to wait until the storm is over, so they only have to pay you once. If you live in a community where people have too much money, I guess it's not an issue.

[Built94FordTuff]

thanks so much helped alot

[CesearTurf]

I landed a bunch of residential snow plow bids thanks to your calculator and flyers. Thanks.

[chris1200XL]

plow for a town it is the best way to plow.