2008-09 Snow Removal Contractors - Page 2 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

DavidC · 09-25-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneckpete

How much cash per hour would it take for you to reconsider clearing snow?

Pete

It's not about money. I just like Sundays off (and Saturday for that matter) and holidays with the family. I'll have the same income goals if I'm remodeling a kitchen, plowing snow or cleaning your barn.

Good Luck
Dave

woodchuck2 · 09-26-2008, 01:38 PM

I only have 10 driveways right now but i am looking into plowing/sanding a housing developement right now. For this line of work you must know how to drive, know how to manipulate your truck/equipment to do what you want it to do without beating the crap out of it and keep it maintained at all times. I used to plow 42 driveways, that was rougher on me than it was on the truck. Even for 10 driveways i should be clearing at least an average of $400 cash and that is without sanding. Double that for sanding. Not a bad wage really since it only takes 3-4 hours to do.

dayexco · 09-26-2008, 06:44 PM

pure and simple....snow removal sux....to keep the equipment ready and thawed out, you keep your shop warmer than usual...batteries, starters, hydraulics, wearing edges are getting a workout typically not seen in the summer months. it's a few extra bucks...allows you to keep key people. for the grief, missing important family events, argueing with customers come spring about curb/gutters/sprinkler heads/landscaping....for me anyway, it's a coin toss...never been a huge money maker for us

tgeb · 09-26-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayexco

pure and simple....snow removal sux.......never been a huge money maker for us

That's pretty much how I view it. I would much rather be able to do our earthwork through the winter. If we can work it is better than the snow money. Snow is 20-30 hours to get it cleared, then no work for a week or so.

People in the neighbor hoods hassle us, get in the way, they will sit in their townhouses, watch us work around their BMW or Mercedes, then come out, move it one parking space and expect us to clean that space while having to work around the car again.

mahlere · 09-26-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Man

it's easy $$

i can make more money, much easier....guess that's the difference between us...

Redneckpete · 09-26-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidC

It's not about money.... I'll have the same income goals if I'm remodeling a kitchen, plowing snow or cleaning your barn.

So it is about the money then. My income goal for snowclearing is three times the amount I want when digging a pool or addition in the summer months.

As has been pointed out, you don't schedule snow, snow clearing has a significant impact on the rest of your life and is hard on equipment.

I am a snow clearing professional, and a high priced one at that. I demand a professionals wage. I sub for landscape contractors, and do not repair any "typical" snow clearing damages. I haven't had a non-typical damage claim in almost 15 years.

Yes, snow clearing sucks, but it's all about the money, and the money can be spectacular.

Pete

mahlere · 09-26-2008, 09:44 PM

define spectacular....to some guys, $100 a day net is spectacular...to others $2,000/day Net is a bad day....

DavidC · 09-27-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneckpete

So it is about the money then. My income goal for snowclearing is three times the amount I want when digging a pool or addition in the summer months.

As has been pointed out, you don't schedule snow, snow clearing has a significant impact on the rest of your life and is hard on equipment.

I am a snow clearing professional, and a high priced one at that. I demand a professionals wage. I sub for landscape contractors, and do not repair any "typical" snow clearing damages. I haven't had a non-typical damage claim in almost 15 years.

Yes, snow clearing sucks, but it's all about the money, and the money can be spectacular.

Pete

I'll respect your opinion and decision, but it is not about the money for me or I would be out there doing it. The few years that I was out there I did make more per day than on a job. But there is a time to work and a time for family and I will control what I can in my schedule to make sure the family isn't slighted. No control over when it snows = no control over your schedule. I wouldn't want to miss a grandchilds birthday to clear snow.

Like I said, you guys are a special breed and thanks for being there.

Good Luck
Dave

Snow Man · 11-09-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNG24

No Such Thing!

$60 per hour? Look at what its doing to your equipment. If you are pocketing all $60 than you will come up short. Snowplowing is one of the hardest things you can do to your vehicle. A backhoe, skid steer or loader might be able to take it as that is the kind of work they were designed to do, but nothing works easy when the temps dip below 32 degrees. Your pick up trucks, dump trucks and your body are not designed to work in this type of temperature.

You will be working Long Hours in the WORST weather. I have seen guys run right off the road. I personally hit an ice patch and could not stop as I smashed into a garbage truck. I had the forethought to drop the plow which saved the legs of the guy on the back of the truck where we hit.

I went into a Diner to get something to eat and noticed a lot of people all dressed up. Not sure why, I asked. Feeling like Scrooge, the person says to me...It's New Years Eve! I had just worked two days and nights and totally neglected my family. I gave up (sold) my route that season.

The person who I saw make the most money from snow plowing, NEVER LEFT HIS HOUSE! He subbed all the work out and made a nice chunk of change. Over a hundred subs doing 50-60 drives each!

Agreed , but i drive a ford

cowplow · 11-16-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsterplow

Well , it's that time of year to start thinking snow since I didn't get any last year.

Anybody else got snow on their mind?

According to the Farmers Almanac it shoudl be a pretty good yr in the midwest. They were about 85% accurate in regards to storms and snowfall last year.. I am hoping they are right on this year as well.

rfed32 · 11-18-2008, 12:27 AM

i dont plow for the money...everyone has there thing that calms them...plowing does it for me nothing like being out in a parking lot with no one else bright amber strobe going its just so peaceful imho...ive been ready since september thats when plow season starts for us...

MALCO.New.York · 11-18-2008, 02:19 AM

Quite a few of these in NYC.

Got an opinion or experience? I would like to learn more.

http://www.alphalc.com/files/BobcatBrush07.jpg

rfed32 · 11-18-2008, 05:11 PM

they work good when there is not a lot of snow...when we take or skider out we take the bucket plow and broom...just b.c they all work in their own ways for what we do...but i think havin a skider is the best b.c it stands up to the elements and ur truck doesnt take that much more of a beating...not to mention the are amazing on driveways...