LS_Sonoma Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Im thinking of starting a snow removal company next year. How do you guys in Ohio go after customers and how do you manage those customers with something as random as snow? Thanks in Advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I would start by assuring these guys your not in this state or looking to take potential customers of theirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Barry is in BFE, Indiana. I'm sure the guys on here aren't worried about their territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDHG940 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 It is a lot of work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Most of them own a landscaping company and do contract work and have a lot of over lap between with the same clients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last_in Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 If you already have a plow and spreader, I'd just hit up local company's that do snow removal and see if they need another truck out there plowing. Around here it's about $60+ an hour if you use your own truck and plow for them as they already have the contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS_Sonoma Posted February 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thanks Linn/ Friel for the reply. I am located near Indianapolis, so no need to worry about taking customers in Ohio. As with any business, cutting out the middle man gives the best return on investment so working for another company isn't ideal for me. Also, I need the flexibility due to my full time job so I'll probably just aim at residential customers. This is more of a new hobby than anything and a way to supplement the payment on a new Raptor, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverMaker Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 The last snow we had our plow guy was out from 9pm to 11am the next day. Not exactly ideal imo for a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 This is more of a new hobby than anything and a way to supplement the payment on a new Raptor, lol. Tough hobby in more ways than one. I prefer cameras nieghbor of ours has a nice 2500 series and bought a used plow one year. Contracted with our HOA for the roads and then many homes for the driveways. Not sure how lucrative it was since it does wear on the truck and the plow wasn't free. Keeping him busy this year. Just saw him drive by with a truck load of salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbs3000 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 residential customers probably makes a lot more sense for what you are looking for and especially to start. It's not practical to have a full time job somewhere and do commercial work, the other thing to think about is if you are looking to do this with your new truck, the abuse to it is extreme. From my experience managing 50 subcontracted snow removal companies each year, If you do decide to get into commercial at some point, you will most likely be starting as a sub for another snow removal company. Another option is sidewalks, there is a lot of money in commercial sidewalk clearing and more servicing then plowing. As said previously, most service contracts are locked in because the company already does some other service for that location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianZ06 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Having a full time job and plowing snow ? Snow removal would be your full time job if you took it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS69 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) I plow for my own properties and do a few residentials. I have a full time job so i dont want to get into commercial gigs or sub. I do help others at times. Best advice is to sub from someone to get into the business. Most of the plow guys on here own their own companies and this is their off season so they plow. Edited February 15, 2014 by RS69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 So difficult to make money in residential i think. I know a guy that tried it around here and by the time he jumped all around he couldnt make any money. Out of an entire neighborhood of 300 homes only a handful signed up and even then only wanted to pay $10-15. He tried getting more customers but decided to just sub of a commercial account . For him it was better sitting in his truck making 80hr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS_Sonoma Posted February 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Solid advice everyone. Thank you for the input. I think I'll stick to my rental property plan. I believe I may have the time to dedicate to it instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 You can do plowing with all that "home office" time you have now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS_Sonoma Posted February 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 I really just wanted to play in the snow with a shovel and Raptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSXRAntwon Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Owning a landscape business, take it from me that it's not easy nor does Mother Nature pay attention to your other work schedule. It is rewarding having your own contracts, calling the shots and such....but if all you're after is plowing part time, I'd work for a subcontractor. Dealing with the customer blows sometimes. Good luck with everything if you still decide to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Some years you are busy some years there is no snow. If its a hobby that's great. Just make sure you are getting what you are worth, out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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