I'm trying to get a plow for the upcoming winter but don't know how to price the jobs or put in bids on parking lots.. Also I know you need insurance but how do I go about getting it? Do I need a tax id number or can I just carry insurance and do cash jobs? Just looking for some tips..I don't want to put out all the money for the plow and not make any money with it

 

Buy a beater truck, plowing is very very hard on our trucks. Now a days everyone is trying to cash in on plowing, therefore prices get bid to nothing and it's very hard to make money. Long hours for little pay.

Remember that your customers won't care that your trans went out and there's 6" of snow on the ground. Insurance is the big thing, the company that plows the lot at my work has to have a 2 million dollars worth of insurance to even show up. Each property is different, so cost is different. I used to plow for a company and those trucks were trashed, broken front ends, blown transmissions etc.. Those were 2004's. You will get mixed responses but my advice is don't do it, it's a money pit.

Gas and maintenance will add up fast, I used 50.00 in gas to so one 75.00 lot, wow 25.00 profit. Well after factoring insurance and maintain. It was much less. I

'm not trying to turn you away from it but it will go through front end parts, etc. Most guys around here have beater 1,200.00 trucks that once they go they save the plow and scrap the truck.

 

I would speculate that this is largely based on geographical location. Up north and west where significant snow is expected (basically guaranteed) year to year, I can see the lowest bid contracting taking place.

However here in MD where snow is hit or miss, one year it's feet the next year it's inches, I believe plowing is still quite profitable. Most of the "contractors" who plow do it strictly as a accessory to another business (usually landscaping), since it would basically be foolish to plan on a primary "plowing business" each year. I believe this keeps competition at bay.

Disclaimer: This post is strictly based on my personal opinions and has no basis on any real or actual data

 

New plows:

$4,000's for good straight blade
$5,000+ for V or specialty blades

Used plows:

A good one maybe $1-$2k less than above. Buy a cheap piece of crap and it breaks......yikes! Plows get more expensive to buy when the snow is flying and I never see used plows sell for cheap during any time leading to or in the middle of winter.

Type of plowing:

Driveways around here are lowballed for $250 per season, yes per season. may average 20-25 events (here) so $10/plow.

Commercial lots require insurance like described above. A $2million snow policy wont be cheap. You don't salt and someone slips and falls with zero insurance. What a lawsuit you could face. Same thing residential when granny slips and falls and you have no contract, no slip/fall clause (if you can have it), no insurance, just cash money. Have fun with those potential law suits.

Location:

Are you in a snow belt area? If so your equipment better be top notch when you're plowing all day during a 12"-16" storm...

Breakdowns:

Not if but when. Crappy equipment or inadequate equipment breaks down quicker.... and to need a repair at the local plow shop at 1am is going to be pricey!


LOTS of money to be spent to actually be truly in the snow game. Will you actually make any money or just finance your operation for the first few years?

Do this before you do ANYTHING

How much does your snowplowing operation cost to run?
(A) Truck payment (if you have one, but you will need to replace in the future so you need to recover the cost of using it)
(B) Your plow cost
(C) Insurance cost
(D) Any other cost associated with plowing

Tough time to get contracts this time of year too.

It's not a golden chalice at the end of the tunnel.

A friend of my who does landscaping part time (as do I) always told me. You need to do this for a few years before you actually make any real money (aka profit). You need to stay committed.

I'm not telling you to not do it. It's just not an instant money machine. And for that reason I do not plow.... And I live in a lake effect snow area!

Also most have told me or others try and be a sub for someone. Their insurance covers everything and you have little to risk. Then you'll learn the whole thing and have a better idea if it's something to do. Also when legit companies get screwed by the uninsured non tax collecting/reporting people they report them to the IRS. Happens ALL the time.....

 

Read this

http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=66279

 

Lots of good advice here^^^

At minimum, most places require general liability insurance. $1mil or $2mil policy. You won't need a tax ID until you get employees, then you can choose if you want to give them a 10-99. Also, be careful as some businesses will 10-99 you, of course this means you gotta claim it at the end of the year(more outta pocket).

I did it for 11yrs, nine of them on my own. Heck, I even had 9 sub-contractors working for me. Made great $$$, had great guys working and all newer equipment. That said, I will NEVER do it again.. Our last blizzard(which is rare here) really did it for me. Way too much stress.

FYI: As mentioned above I was sued for $60k my 2nd year into my business by a pharmacist who sprained her ankle... yes that's correct, she sprained her ankle and got $60k. Wtf

 

Thanks for posting some information from an actual snow plower!!

$60K lawsuit and guys plowing drives for $200.....yea that's worth the risk....

Maybe her high heels weren't the best choice in a snow storm. $60k!!! Dang!! Crazy world we live in..

 

Exactly my point. What a world we live in. Before the first snow flurry would even fly, it would cost me $4500 in insurance premiums.

To the OP: I forgot to mention that if you have a regular 9-5, I hope they're flexible with you being late/leaving early at times. Also, start practicing working now on 0 sleep.. You'll be a pro come December..lol

 

Wow thanks guys im learning allot today that I didn't know about.. I live in CT and we usually get decent snow. It'd def not just "I think I'll get a plow and make tons of money" that plow site is very informative as well. Thanks for the help

 

You got it man!

 

Plowing briefs well but executes like crap.

 

I have an 89/96 f-250 that I use for plowing, and's that's about all it's good for. Plowing is very hard on your truck. I say, run junk, own a welder, and work for cash.

 

Where about in CT?

 

Yea I think I'm gonna get a junk truck to do small stuff with..and I'm in east haven/ new haven... Is that an f6 fire cat in your pic? My bro had the same sled