Snowy days bring up thoughts of snowmen, thrilling sled escapades, and warm fireside hot chocolate.
However, the fact is that they often require snow shoveling and plowing, only to free up your driveway for errands or commuting.
Homeowners are met with the decision of whether to do these tasks themselves or hire expert help.
If you’re a homeowner yourself, you may be wondering what snow removal costs.
Several variables influence the cost of residential snow removal, these will play into the costs of the services you chose. The estimated expenses are shown below.
Snow Removal vs. Snow Plowing
The terms “snow plowing” and “snow removal” might mean sound like interchangeable words for the every day person.
However, experts would tell you there’s a difference!
Experts define “removal” as transferring snow from your property, while “plowing” refers to pushing snow to the edge of a driveway or path (often by snow blowing or shoveling).
Ways Companies Charge For Removal
Let’s check out the most common approaches businesses use when charging for snow and ice removal.
For example, how much snow fall is experienced locally and the dimensions of your driveway or sidewalk are just a couple of the factors that could considerably impact these estimations.
Most contractors have set costs for plowing services, with some leeway for driveway sizes. However, a greater rate should be expected if your home is more than fifty yards from the street.
Per Inch
A common approach to calculating the expense of snow removal is to measure it by the inch.
Frequently, there’s a base fee for snowfall up to a particular measurement, followed by additional charges for increased accumulation.
The specific measurement denoted by “X inches” and the point at which additional accumulation is factored in can differ according to the market.
As a general estimate, prepare to allocate between $50 to $150 for the baseline amount, with each subsequent layer of snow incurring an extra $20 to $40 charge.
Per Event
The average cost of a per-event snow removal service is between $50 and $200.
A per-event agreement is an excellent option if you need reliable snow removal services but don’t want to commit to an entire seasonal contract.
Per Season
Certain snow removal companies charge a flat cost for the entire season. This is useful for those who live in areas with consistent snowfall.
On the other hand, committing to a seasonal contract is not recommended for places that have irregular snowfall.
If you get constant snowfall each year and choose a seasonal snow removal plan, the projected cost is usually between $300 and $600.
At Vanta, we essentially use a hybrid version of the “Per Season” model when you set up residential snow removal services with us in the Colorado Springs area.
Per Trip (or Per Push)
The snow removal contractor will charge for each trip, or “push,” they make to the site in this arrangement.
In most cases, a trip is contingent on a certain amount of snowfall, allowing you to save money in years with less snowfall.
The downside is that the contractor may have to make many trips during the same storm, which might increase the cost. The range of this model’s prices is $45-$100.
Per Hour
If the snow removal company you choose charges by the hour, prices can range from $25 to $65 per hour. This method, where snow-clearing services are paid by the hour, is used less often.
Average Snow Removal Prices
So what is the average price, with all of those factors being considered?
The average snow removal cost usually falls between $50 to $150. This should cover clearing a standard driveway, measuring around 10 to 20 feet wide and long.
It’s advisable to make arrangements with a company before the first snowfall. Given that many businesses have pre-scheduled clients, it can be hard to get on the books.
Your best bet to ensure a smooth and timely snow removal process is to hire a professional snow removal company well before winter.
Cost Factors Affecting Snow Removal
Several variables may affect how much you pay for snow removal, such as:
- Type of Removal Service: Services that include physically removing snow instead of just pushing it away often need more costly and specialized equipment.
- Driveway Priority Service: Anticipate a higher cost if you want to remove snow promptly from your driveway.
- Walkways: Workers may charge more if they have to shovel your pathways.
- Roofs: Removing snow from a roof is a service only offered by some contractors, and those who do usually charge extra.
- De-icing: Driveways and sidewalks may be de-iced by specialists for an extra fee.
- Driveway Size and Surface Area: If your driveway is quite extensive, the driveway size becomes an important consideration. Driveways with gravel or brick surfaces are more difficult and time-consuming to plow than concrete or blacktop, which may also affect the price.
Money-Saving Snow Removal Advice
To help you save money on snow removal, consider the following three options:
- You can cut costs through DIY snow removal by shoveling yourself if you’re physically capable or know a resourceful individual in the neighborhood.
- While “per trip” pricing may make sense in some instances, it may add up quickly if you have to pay for many contractor trips due to the same storm.
- During winter, several companies specializing in lawn maintenance also provide snow removal services. You can save money if you bundle services like mowing, leaf collecting, and snow removal.
