How to Start a Snow Removal Business in Pennsylvania
The climate in Pennsylvania lends itself to starting a successful seasonal snow removal business. In most parts of the state, the first snowfall occurs in October, and snow continues through April. The city of Erie averages the highest amount of snowfall per year at 54 inches per season. The southwest Pittsburgh region averages 44 inches, while the southeastern Philadelphia region average 21 inches per season.
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Instructions
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Create a business plan. Decide which areas you will service, how much it will cost to get started and who your competitors are. Pennsylvania offers several helpful resources to help with the planning stages of starting a business in the areas of business plans, financing, accounting and management skills. Some of these resources include PA Open for Business, Penn State Small Business Development Center and the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center.
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Choose a business entity recognized in Pennsylvania. The most applicable Pennsylvania business forms for a snow removal business are a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company or a corporation. Sole proprietorships consist of one owner, while partnerships consist of two or more owners. Neither one of these entities needs to file with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania unless they will be operating under a fictitious name. Limited liability companies and corporations may be set up by any number of owners. They provide greater liability protection than a sole proprietorship or partnership, but the owner must file articles of organization or incorporation in order to set them up. Contact a Pennsylvania licensed attorney for advice on the tax and liability consequences that apply to each legal entity.
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Purchase supplies and equipment. Your start-up costs will vary depending upon the type of equipment you purchase. If you will be primarily plowing residential driveways and sidewalks, you may be able to get by with a lower-cost snow blower and a few shovels. If you plan on bidding on municipal or city contracts, you will need a truck with an attached plow that satisfies local code. Other supplies that you may need include a vehicle to haul equipment, ice-melting salt and flat-head shovels for breaking ice.
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Purchase basic business liability insurance. Liability insurance protects you and your business, up to the amount of your policy limit, if someone slips and falls due to faulty ice removal or otherwise becomes injured as a result of your actions or equipment, or if you damage someone's property while performing snow removal duties. You can purchase basic liability insurance for your business from most major or national insurance providers.
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Advertise your snow removal services. Place advertisements in your local paper, create and disperse fliers throughout your community and place a business listing in the Yellow Pages. Have business cards made and ask your friends and family to hand them out to their neighbors and acquaintances. Your advertisements should always include the name of your business, how you can be contacted, the areas that you service and any pricing specials.
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