Snow Removal? Do I need to?

[ritchiem]

I am not too sure what forum to put this post in so here goes...is there anybody out there that only does 3 season maintenance (not snow) and has found success? I am battling the fact that I may have to add snow removal as a service to my clients (and potential). I have heard of all gardening companies but have not talked to them on how they run their business. If anyone can shed some light on this question that would be great.

NOTE: This question would only apply to businesses that receive snow during the winter months.

[MileHigh]

Why wouldn't you want to add snow plowing?..

Does it snow a lot in your area? Pretty sure it does up there in Ontario.

Don't know your situation but if I didn't plow, I'd be screwed.

Money is GREAT!! I guess that can differ for everyone.

Plowing snow is a great addition to a lawn biz, I could even put as lawn care is a great addition to PLOWING!!

[ritchiem]

thanks for the quick response....it is not that I do not want to add the service, but I wanted to hear if other companies are doing only 3 season. Don't get me wrong I love money too, but it would be nice spending the winters with family...cake and eat it too...I know.

And for the record.....it snows a hell of a lot in Ontario Canada :canadaflag:

[shepoutside]

:canadaflag: We plow, and stripe lines inside factories, during the winter. I know some of my bud's in lawn-care, take the winter off. It would be your choice.

[mngrassguy]

Wish I could "blow off" plowing but their's WAY to much money in it. Everytime I get tired of it I just raise my prices and end up doing more work.

[hackitdown]

I did no plowing for the first few years, but I got sucked in last year. I hate it, but my route makes $1250 in 4 hours. And we had about 12 storms last year, so it was a good winter $$ boost. I still do other work in winter. I just picked up a long, shared driveway yesterday, I will bill them $160 per push, it will take 15 minutes at best, and it is nearly next door to another on my route. It is too easy to get customers.

[Michael J. Donovan]

we prefer to have snow plowing discussions take place on www.plowsite.com

you can ask your question over there as well and get some opinions/suggestions from others in your area

thanks :waving:

[JimmyStew]

I think you will find that a large number of lawn/landscaping companies offer snow services if for no other reason than because there isn't anything else to do in winter. Additionally, there are a lot of people in other industries who offer snow plowing as well. In my experience, I have found that there isn't much carry over from summer maintenance to winter maintenance. What I mean is, most of my winter customers are not mowing or summer maintenance customers. And visa versa; many of my summer customers have their drives plowed, but not by me. So long as your mowing customers don't have their drive plowed by another mowing company I wouldn't worry about losing a customer.

[shovelracer]

I tend to agree with Jimmy. Locally problem is that they would call another LCO. Half of my winter clients are not summer clients aside from side jobs, vacation mowings, etc. The other half want 1 bill from one known company all year long. They dont have time to deal with a mowing company, a fert company, a winter company. Its one stop shopping for them. Now a few of my mowing clients have joined the winter group, but not because they need services as much as it is convenient for them. They own snowblowers, but since Im already on the street they would rather stay inside or sleep the extra hour.