Winter is on its way, and for many people, that means snow is on the way, too. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you may be able to earn extra income by offering snow removal services. Read on to learn how to get started.
Why Start a Snow Removal Business?
Here are four reasons why starting a snow removal business can be a great way to make some extra money this winter.
1. It’s a Needed Service
When it comes to snow removal, people are always going to need the service, especially if they live in an area that gets a lot of snow. That’s why starting a snow removal business can be a great way to guarantee yourself some consistent work and income throughout the winter months.
2. It’s Not Too Expensive to Start
Another great reason to start a snow removal business is that it doesn’t cost very much to get started. You’ll need to invest in some basic equipment like a shovel, snow brush, and de-icer, but other than that, the startup costs are relatively low. You can also choose to start small by only offering your services to neighbors and friends before gradually expanding your business as demand increases.
3. Physical activity
Shoveling snow may not be everyone’s favorite form of exercise, but it’s certainly better than nothing! If you’re looking for a way to sneak in some extra physical activity this winter, starting a snow removal business is a great option. Not only will you burn calories while you work, but you’ll also get some much-needed Vitamin D from being outdoors in the fresh air.
4. It’s a Flexible Business Model
Finally, another reason why starting a snow removal business can be a great idea is that it offers a lot of flexibility in terms of how you operate your business. For example, you can choose to offer your services on either a per-job or per-month basis, which gives you the ability to tailor your pricing to fit your customer’s needs. You can also choose to operate your business as either a solo operation or team up with other individuals in order to cover more ground and increase your earnings potential. Regardless of how you choose to operate your business, there’s plenty of room for flexibility when it comes to starting a snow removal business.
One of the best things about running your own business is that it gives you the opportunity to be your own boss. With a snow removal business, you’ll have complete control over how much work you take on and when you work. This can be especially helpful if you have children at home or another time-consuming commitment that limits the number of hours you can work each week. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that YOU built something from scratch and that it’s completely up to YOU to make it successful. Trust us – it’s pretty darn empowering!
Get the right equipment.
You’ll need a shovel, a snow blower (optional), and some salt or sand to help with traction. Equipment you may need:
- Shovels: Let’s start with the most basic piece of equipment you’ll need: shovels. shovels come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to select the right one for the job at hand. For example, if you’re removing light snow from walkways, a small plastic shovel will suffice. However, if you’re dealing with heavy wet snow, you’ll need a steel shovel with a curved blade to prevent back strain.
- Snow Blowers: Snow blowers are a must if you’re clearing large areas of snow, such as driveways and parking lots. While there are both gas and electric models available, gas models tend to be more powerful and thus better suited for heavy-duty snow removal jobs.
- Snow Plows: If you’re responsible for clearing roads or other large expanses of pavement, a snow plow is an absolute necessity. Snow plows attach to the front of your vehicle and use hydraulics to lift and lower the blade, making short work of even the deepest snow drifts.
- Ice Melters: Finally, you’ll also need some ice melt on hand to keep your surfaces safe and free from slips and falls. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are two popular options, as they’re effective at melting ice quickly without causing damage to concrete or other surfaces.
Make a list of potential customers.
Ask your neighbors, friends, and family if they would be interested in hiring you to remove snow from their property. You can also post flyers in local businesses or online to reach a wider audience.
Create a list of potential customers. This can be done by going through your neighborhood and making a note of which homes have driveways and sidewalks. You can also look for businesses in your area that might need snow removal services. Once you have a list of potential customers, you can begin reaching out to them to see if they’re interested in your services.
When reaching out to potential customers, it’s important to be clear about what your rates are and what services you’re offering. For instance, will you just be clearing driveways and sidewalks, or will you also be shoveling steps and porches? It’s important to be clear about what you’re offering so that there are no misunderstandings later on.
Once you’ve secured some customers, it’s important to follow through on your commitments. Make sure you show up on time and do a good job. If you do a good job, chances are your customers will be happy to use your services again next year.
Set your price.
There are a few things you need to take into account when setting your prices for snow removal services. First, you need to figure out how much time it will take you to complete the job. Second, you need to consider the cost of any equipment you’ll need to rent or purchase. And finally, you need to factor in your own time and labor.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can start setting your prices. One approach is to set an hourly rate for your services. Another approach is to set a flat rate for each job. Whichever approach you choose, make sure your prices are competitive with other snow removal services in your area.
Snow removal services typically run between $25 and $50 per hour, but you can charge more or less depending on your experience and the market in your area.
Pricing your snow removal services doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make sure you factor in all the costs associated with the job, including your own time and labor. Once you’ve done that, you can choose either an hourly rate or a flat rate for each job. And finally, don’t forget to check out the competition to make sure your prices are competitive.
Get started!
Once you’ve completed steps 1-3, you’re ready to start clearing snow and making money. Be sure to dress warmly and take plenty of breaks so you don’t overdo it.
Offering snow removal services is a great way to make some extra income during the winter months. Just be sure to equip yourself with the right tools, find potential customers ahead of time, and set a competitive price. With a little planning and hard work, you can make some serious profits this winter!