Winter Services

[tiedeman]

How many of you, that have the opportunity to provide snow removal services with your already lawn and landscaping services, actually do provide those services?

[rodfather]

We're running 4 plow trucks this winter...and have a subcontractor as #5 just in case.

[Meg-Mo]

We have done snow removal for years. Some years good some not so good. We only use two trucks but have a skid loader with plow on. Also have two tractors with plows on and we do most of the work with the skid loader and tractor as they are so much faster. 20by40 drive way 3 min with them. When you have 40 drives with out loading for $15.00@ you are do very well. Only need some snow.

[walker-talker]

Here we might get 3 or maybe 4 snowings a year. When it does snow, it's usually no more than 3" at a time....so no, we don't offer snow removal. I might consider it if I am targeting a commercial property for mowing services and they require snow removal and even then I would look into subing it out.

[Green-Pro]

I used to do snow removal when we lived in town. I did this on the side from my full time job and made good pocket money. Living out in the sticks now and about 17 miles from my lawn customers just doesn't appeal to me. I had a dedicated truck for blading when living in town and the few times I had to drive it down the highway with the blade on I always thought of as a pain in the posterior, guess thats why it doesn't appeal to me now.

[Jason Rose]

I voted that Yes I provide it, but Like matt, since we were not too far from each other, it's not very lucrative. I know guys that have plows and never even get to use them some winters. I simply have a smowblower and a blade for my Dixon. If it's less than 4" then the blade will work, more than use the blower. I only do driveways and sidewalks for my customers that need it done.
We do get more than 3" at times... just so far this year that's all we've had. What sucks here is that it's usually not just nice fluffy snow. It usually starts with freezing rain or sleet to make everything slick first, or the snow will be so wet it can't be moved or it will freeze like a rock and unless you have BIG equipment you can't touch it.

We haven't had a very snowy winter in a looong time here. I have pics from back in the early to mid 80's when we had feet of snow and drifts over our 6' pivacy fence. Nobody wen't anywhere for a while! I know we are due for that again... I just don't want to see it.

[Lux Lawn]

Yes,we offer plowing in the winter.We have 3 trucks out on the road each time it snows.This year I probably could have done 4 but only owned 3 trucks in the fall.Some time in 2006 I will need to add another one.

[procut]

I started plowing recently. Only running one truck now, but will deninatly have two next year.

[nobagger]

Were I live you almost have to provide both winter and summer services.

[rodfather]

Yes,we offer plowing in the winter.We have 3 trucks out on the road each time it snows.

...which probably makes you the wealthiest member here on LS with all the snow you guys get:laugh:

[tiedeman]

Those that do not provide it, or used to provide it but no longer, why haven't you done it or why don't you want to do it?

[PMLAWN]

Those that do not provide it, or used to provide it but no longer, why haven't you done it or why don't you want to do it?

Because we don't allow that stuff down here:p

But we do remove trees after ice storms.

[tiedeman]

Those that do not provide it, or used to provide it but no longer, why haven't you done it or why don't you want to do it?

nobody wants to answer?

[PMLAWN]

nobody wants to answer?

I answered, but I guess you were looking for answers from the north:p

We get lots of Jersey and New York guys moving down here and they bring their plows. They just sit in the yard:cry:

[zim bob the landscaper]

well here in mass we are getting alot. maybe 6-12+ inches of snow we are getting hit hard so i will get some money doin my drivways. my dad does the plowing with the truck.

[tiedeman]

I answered, but I guess you were looking for answers from the north:p

We get lots of Jersey and New York guys moving down here and they bring their plows. They just sit in the yard:cry:

ya, I didn't think you would get too much snow down there

[rodfather]

ya, I didn't think you would get too much snow down there

Even when it does Troy, it doesn't stay around very long.

[tiedeman]

I think that I am just getting sick of snow this year big time. If I had my choice, I would stop everything right now.

[rodfather]

I think that I am just getting sick of snow this year big time. If I had my choice, I would stop everything right now.

Send some my way

[tiedeman]

Well, in 2005 snow removal was 8.8% of my income. Now for the previous 5 years it was 12.6% of my income.

[rodfather]

A nice increase

[J&R Landscaping]

I answered Yes to the poll as well. I don't yet have a plow for either of my trucks though I am planning to get one for next season. Right now though, I am doing residential jobs and making decent money at that. All of my houses so far are within 3 miles of each other so it saves time traveling and saves money on fuel!

[tiedeman]

A nice increase

actually it was a decrease. 12.6% was previous years (per year average), while 2005 was 8.8%.

[HOOLIE]

The LCO I used to work for offered residential snowblowing...what a pain in the arse...just all the watching the weather, waiting, watching the weather, waiting...then I'd be ready for bed :p

There usually aren't enough snow events here, on average, to make it much more than pocket change over the winter. No thanks for me...

[tiedeman]

That is exactly how I feel. Like last night, we were supposed to get possibly freezing rain or an inch of snow, nothing. I never went to bed until 4am