How to Plow Snow Efficiently & The Basics of a Snow Removal Business

If you are a Landscaper, then like us you need do something else during the snow season. I have done snow plowing for the last 8 years. Many landscapers will provide snow removal services to their existing customers. Offering a snow removal service can bring in much needed extra money during the slow landscaping season. Here I have included some snow plowing methods and techniques that I have learnt over the years as we have made our service more efficient to earn more money in less time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Full Size Truck
• Snow Plow, HD
• 600 - 800#'s of concrete weight.
• Strobe Light
• A Cell Phone or CB
• Snow Blower
• Shovels
• Ice Melt
• Ice Scraper
• Chains
• Tools
• Tow Rope
• Jumper cables
• Gas can - Full!

1. 
    
   Weight to balance truck

   GET EQUIPPED! The first thing you need to make sure of if you are plowing snow is that you are fully equipped. There is nothing worse than being far away from your shop and not having something like a wrench, or a quart of hydraulic oil! Take down the list of things you will need to the right, trust me you will need all these things! Regarding the snow plow itself, the HD stands for Heavy Duty, DO NOT GET a home / residential use snow plow! It will not last, and it won't be as well equipped as a commercial plow. They are usually smaller, and won't be able to plow as much snow if it gets deep anyway.

2. GET CUSTOMERS! If you are a landscaper like me, then you will already have these, let them know in the fall that you can still work for them over the winter doing their snow removal. This also helps bring them right back to you in the springtime for lawn service or grounds maintenance. If you need to get new customers, then advertise in the local newspaper, it is by far the easiest and cheapest way to get new customers. Once you have a few on your list then you can cut back on the advertising, as word of mouth from you existing customers will do the rest for you, providing you do a good job! It is important that you get a mix of commercial and residential snow removal customers, I will explain further below.

3. GET TO KNOW THE JOB that needs to be done for each customer! You will find that each snow removal customer will have different needs. Some will want their snow plowed only when it gets 4" deep or more and some will want it done at 1" or more. I have learnt to offer snow removal only for 1" or more, because 1 inch or less will usually melt off by lunch time, and some people don't even want to pay you for doing it! Look at the job when there is no snow, so you will know where to go and on the larger or commercial jobs, ask them if they have a preference as to where you plow the snow. Look at how large the job is, as this will determine how much money you will charge them to plow it.

4. 
    
   Plowing Snow!

   GET A LIST OF YOUR CUSTOMERS! Put your snow removal customers in order of what time they need to be done by, and geographical location. We usually place most of our commercial snow removal customers first on our list, followed by residential customers. Your commercial customers should take priority, as they are normally required to have their sidewalks and lot cleared before opening time. They are normally bigger jobs, and pay better than residential.

5. MAKING MONEY FROM SNOW REMOVAL; You must have both commercial & residential customers, and offer at least two different ways of charging your customers, per time price, and a fixed per month price. This is important as commercial's tend to like the fixed price per month, no matter how little or much it snows, it will be the same amount, and they can budget for it. It is also VERY necessary that you have some fixed price customers, as there can be some winter months where it does not snow, and you will need the fixed income. Keep your residential customers as they are the bread and butter of your snow removal business, and are needed to grow your business through word of mouth. Invoice your customers once a month, or after each snow storm, as the work you just did will be fresh in their memories and they will be more likely to pay you sooner, and have less questions regarding your bill and how much you are charging them.

6. 
    
   Plowing snow for a residance

   PLOWING THE SNOW EFFICIENTLY; You must develop your own technique of plowing snow efficiently, as time is money! Each job needs to be done differently, but usually most jobs you start in the middle of the driveway or lot and work you way out to the edge with each pass. Shovel the snow out 3 to 4 foot in front of buildings or garage doors so the plow can get to it.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not block alleys or other driveways with plowed snow
• Keep fire hydrants clear of snow
• Keep your trucks gas tank full
• Plug your truck in at night, so it will be warm for early morning use
• Reed the instruction manual that came with the snow plow, it has some suggested plowing techniques for your plow and some speed maximums for plowing.
• Watch for hidden bumps under the snow, they can catch the plow bringing you to a sudden halt!
• Always use flashing yellow lights when plowing snow

Resources

• Sheridan Lawn and Landscaping, LLC

[sallyemaycreate]

on 12/30/2009 Great article and tips on How to Plow Snow Efficiently & The Basics of a Snow Removal Business. Thanks for sharing your expertise 5* & recommendation

[genehoffpauir]

on 12/29/2009 Very informative and well written. 5*

[jordan-wilder]

on 12/29/2009 Well written article and great advice! 5*

[kassel46]

on 12/29/2009 Good article; well written and with many good suggestions..

[tammyfrost]

on 12/28/2009 Wonderful tips on snow plowing. It is a good business idea.