9 Types Of Snow Removal Services To Offer Customers

Snow removal companies provide services that keep our roads, driveways, and walkways clear and safe during winter. These businesses focus on snow management services and use equipment to plow, shovel, blow, and de-ice surfaces.

You might have heard of some of the most popular snow removal businesses: DaveyTree, Aero Snow, Big Bear, Rocky Mountain, etc. These large companies provide a complete set of snow removal services. However, when you're starting your business, it's important to understand that you don't have to. In fact, we recommend that you pick only a handful of services first. It's cheaper and easier to manage until you figure out the business kinks.

Below is the full snow removal services list, which we discuss in more detail in this article.

1. Plow Roads and Parking Lots

Plowing service involves clearing large, flat areas of snow using a truck equipped with a snowplow blade. This snow removal service frees roads, parking lots, and other wide spaces of snow, allowing safe vehicle access and movement.

This snow removal service is popular among various clients. Your typical clients include municipalities that want to clear city streets and residential roads and businesses that need them for parking lots and community spaces. It's great for businesses like shopping centers, apartment complexes, and schools that need regular.

You'll need a heavy-duty pickup truck with a snowplow attachment to perform this professional snow removal service. Use large loaders if you're doing industrial-sized jobs.

The timeframe for plowing roads and parking lots is difficult to say as it depends on the equipment you're using, the amount of snow, and the size of the area. It usually takes less than 30 minutes for residential jobs and 2-4 hours for larger jobs.

Plowing is one of the most expensive types of snow removal work, costing between $50 to $200 per hour.

2. Blow Driveways and Sidewalks

Blowing service involves using a snow blower to clear smaller spaces like driveways and sidewalks. This is perfect for residential customers who need quick, efficient snow removal without the back-breaking work of shoveling.

Blowing services primarily target residential and small commercial clients, as you'll mostly be servicing residential driveways, sidewalks, and smaller commercial entryways.

You'll need a high-quality snow blower and possibly a smaller vehicle for transportation between jobs. Timeframe-wise, you can expect 20-40 minutes for driveways and sidewalks. Blowing is one of the most basic snow removal services, and it doesn't pay as much as plowing. Price ranges are generally between $30 and $100 for blowing services.

3. Shovel Walkways and Stairs

Shoveling service involves manually clearing snow from walkways, stairs, and other hard-to-reach areas. This is a labor-intensive but essential service, especially for homes or businesses with tight spaces that machinery can't access.

The scope includes residential homes, small businesses, and multi-level properties with stairs or narrow walkways. You can offer this service with your snow blowing as a bundle, as they usually complement each other.

Shoveling is the most basic of snow removal services. You only need a sturdy snow shovel and ice pick for tougher snow or ice.

This snow removal service typically takes 15 minutes to an hour per job, depending on the complexity and size of the area. Shoveling is arguably the best service to offer when you're just starting out and don't have a lot of capital for equipment, and you can charge $20 to $60 per visit.

4. Salt and De-ice Surfaces

Salt and de-icing service involves applying rock salt or other de-icing agents to driveways, sidewalks, and roads to prevent ice build-up. You usually apply this service after snow removal to keep the surfaces safe.

This professional snow removal service is popular among commercial clients, apartment buildings, and residential homes in colder climates where ice is a major concern.

You'll need bags of rock salt or a similar de-icing product, a spreader for large areas, and a shovel or broom to distribute it in smaller spaces.

The job can be completed in 10-30 minutes, depending on the area you cover and the other snow removal company services you offer.

The cost for de-icing services isn't much. On average, snow removal companies charge between $15 to $50, depending on the space and whether it's part of a bundled snow removal package.

5. Haul Away Excess Snow

Hauling away excess snow service involves removing and transporting large piles of snow to off-site locations. Snow removal companies usually offer this service alongside plowing or blowing services.

This service is ideal for large commercial properties, parking lots, and municipalities that need long-term snow management or don't have space to store the plowed snow.

The equipment for hauling away excess snow includes dump trucks and loaders to handle large amounts of snow and a designated location to haul it to.

It's difficult to estimate a timeframe for hauling away excess snow because there are many variables: how much snow needs to be hauled, the size of the dump trucks, distance to the dumping site, etc. But expect it to take a few hours to even a full day.

Hauling services are expensive due to fuel and maintenance costs. Prices often start at $100 and go up to $1,000 or more.

6. Manage Ice Build-up

Ice management involves monitoring and breaking up ice that forms on sidewalks, driveways, or other surfaces where snow has melted and refrozen. This service helps prevent accidents and property damage caused by thick ice layers. Snow removal companies usually offer this alongside salt and de-icing.

It's a popular service for residential properties, businesses, and industrial spaces that need extra attention to maintain safety.

You'll need ice picks, shovels, salt spreaders, and de-icing agents like rock salt or magnesium chloride for this snow removal service.

Ice can be tough, and breaking it takes a while, especially if it's a thick layer. Expect a job to take anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours.

Managing ice is a lucrative snow removal service as few people have access to salts or the patience to break accumulated ice. Therefore, you can charge between $50 to $150 per hour.

7. Pre-Treat Surfaces Before Snowfall

Pre-treating surfaces involves applying a layer of salt or other anti-icing materials before a snowstorm hits. This helps prevent snow and ice from sticking to the ground, which makes post-snowfall cleanup much easier.

Common clients for this type of snow removal work are commercial properties, large residential homes, and schools.

Equipment for pre-treating surfaces before snowfall includes salt or brine solutions and a spreader or sprayer for larger areas.

Pre-treating surfaces before snowfall is one of the quickest snow removal services and takes around 15-30 minutes.

This is another lucrative snow removal service, as prices generally range from $20 to $100 per visit.

8. Clear Roof Snow

Roof snow clearing involves safely removing snow from rooftops to prevent structural damage or leaks caused by heavy snow accumulation. This service is not common across the country, but it is essential for areas that experience heavy snowfall.

The clients for this job include homeowners and businesses with flat roofs or roofs prone to snow build-up.

You'll need tools like roof rakes and possibly safety harnesses for taller buildings. This service typically takes 30 minutes to five hours.

Roof snow removal usually costs between $100 and $300, depending on the complexity and safety requirements of the job.

9. Provide Emergency Snow Removal

Emergency snow removal service involves responding to urgent requests from customers who need immediate snow removal. Customers typically request emergency snow services after a heavy storm or when standard services can’t meet demand.

Both residential and commercial clients need emergency snow removal to maintain safety or access.

You'll need equipment, including trucks, blowers, shovels, and a team ready to be dispatched on short notice.

The timeframe varies, but emergency jobs are often completed within an hour or two, depending on the storm's severity.

Emergency snow removal can be priced higher than regular services because of its urgency. You can charge anywhere between $150 to $500 or higher. However, you'll have to work odd hours and be able to respond at a moment's notice - something to consider before picking this service as your core snow removal service.

How To Pick Services For Your Snow Removal Business?

To pick services for your snow removal business, evaluate factors such as available snow removal software, operational capacity, business type, seasonal demand, and the age of your business. Running a snow removal business is no small feat; having the right software in place can make a big difference. Snow removal software helps with everything from route planning to customer communication, making scaling and managing your business easier.

Consider your current capacity. Are you ready to take on extra jobs, or will offering more services overwhelm your team?

Next, consider the type of business you run - commercial vs residential. The business type will influence which services are most relevant and profitable.

It's important to consider how snow removal work fluctuates with the seasons. Services like pre-treating surfaces may only be necessary during certain weather conditions.

Finally, consider your business age. Focusing on providing only a few basic snow removal services is wise if you're starting out. As your business grows and gains experience, you can afford more equipment, software, and larger teams, which allows you to expand your offerings.

How Can A Snow Removal Business Software Help Expand Your Service Offerings?

Snow removal business software can improve business operational efficiency, allowing you to expand your services with existing resources.

Snow removal company management software has features like automated quote services, which enable you to quickly provide estimates to potential clients, saving time and securing more jobs.

Invoicing software, on the other hand, makes billing easier. This software ensures you get paid on time while reducing administrative work. Some software can even send automatic follow-ups on clients with late payments.

Lastly, scheduling features shouldn't be overlooked. This type of software is a game-changer for service-orientated businesses like snow removal. Scheduling software reduces human error and administrative load. That means no more double bookings or booking the wrong crew for a specific type of service.

These features not only improve your business's operational flow but allow you to take on more clients - commercial or residential - without the headache of juggling everything manually.

What Are The Different Types Of Snow Removal Companies?

There are two main types of snow removal companies: residential and commercial snow removal companies.

Residential snow removal business focuses on homes, driveways, and small walkways. Services are often more detail-oriented, including shoveling, snow blowing, and salting smaller areas.

Commercial snow removal businesses provide services to large-scale properties like businesses, schools, and public spaces. Of the two types of snow removal companies, commercial services usually pay better but require more equipment expenditure.

It's important to note that each type of business offers different services, which influences its profitability and growth capabilities.

What Are The Different Residential Snow Removal Services?

Residential snow removal services include shoveling driveways and walkways, blowing snow from sidewalks, salting surfaces to prevent ice, and clearing snow from rooftops.

Homeowners typically need these services after a snowfall to keep their property safe and accessible.

What Are The Different Commercial Snow Removal Services?

Commercial snow removal services include snow plowing parking lots, managing ice build-up, hauling away excess snow, and pre-treating surfaces before a storm.

Their main service offerings are to help keep high-traffic areas safe and operational during winter months. Before picking which services you offer based on the type of business, it's important to note that a commercial snow removal company usually has more business experience than its residential counterparts.

How Does Your Business Experience Impact Your Snow Removal Services?

Your business experience significantly impacts your snow removal services. Experienced snow removers can provide a broader range of services, such as ice management, snow plowing, or emergency snow removal.

In contrast, newer companies might want to stick to the basic services—like blowing driveways, shoveling, and salting sidewalks—until they build up their expertise.

Which Services To Offer In A New Snow Removal Business?

A new snow removal business should offer basic services like blowing snow from sidewalks, shoveling, and simple de-icing.

Learning how to start a snow removal company correctly is essential, as this is your foundational phase. Everything you build later on will be built on this phase. That's why you should invest in quality tools and equipment such as snow blowers, shovels, and salt spreaders to ensure you don't have to replace these tools later.

What Tools Do You Need To Offer Snow Removal Services?

To offer snow removal services, you need basic tools like snow blowers, shovels, and salt spreaders. These are only some of the essential tools from the list of snow removal tools, but you'll use them for most of the core snow removal services, like removing snow from driveways and sidewalks.

How To Expand Your Snow Removal Services?

You can expand your snow removal services once your business operations run smoothly and you have enough resources to allocate to extra snow removal services.

Once you start this journey, you will need to employ marketing strategies for snow removal growth. This includes strategies such as offering package deals, advertising locally, and partnering with businesses.

To expand and identify the most profitable services, target commercial clients or provide emergency snow removal.

What Are The Most Profitable Snow Removal Services?

The most profitable snow removal services include providing snow removal services - commercial plowing, hauling away snow, and emergency snow removal - to commercial clients. These types of snow removal services bring in higher revenue due to the larger scope of the job and urgency of the work.