Are you thinking about starting your own snow plow business? If so, then you’ve got some extensive planning to do before you buy equipment and hire employees.
In today’s post, I will briefly discuss the 6 most important factors that you must consider before starting your own snow plow or removal business.
So without further ado, let’s get to it.
6 Factors You Must Consider Before Starting a Snow Plow Business
After considering each factor, you will be one step closer to a snow plowing business built for success.
1. Viability
Do you live in an area where a lot of snow falls during winter? If so, then you’re good to go. Otherwise, it’s best to leave this notion on the table.
Running a snow plow business is not cheap and if you want to cover your expense and make some profit, then you need to ensure there’s enough snow to be plowed in nearby areas.
2. Target Locations
How many trucks are you planning to add to your snow plow business?
If you can only afford one or two capable plow trucks, then you should stick to securing work in residential neighborhoods and leave commercial areas, such as shopping centers and office complexes, to the big boys (contractor companies)
On a side note, if you need help to choose a snow plow truck, then check out my recommendations of the top trucks for your snow plow business.
3. Equipment
Other than a snow plow truck, there’s some other equipment you may need, including plows, shovels, standard skid loader buckets, snow blowers, and angle brooms. Boss Plow is highly recognized in the snow industry.
Having all necessary equipment will help you get the job done quickly and effectively.
Once you know what equipment you will need, you can then calculate how much work you will need to cover your expense and make profit.
Also, I recommend using a plow and some sort of de-icer. The de-icer will help you deploy on minimal amounts of snow fall while the plow will be the big bucks are larger snow falls.
4. An Emergency Backup
Believe me, there’s nothing worse than dealing with a customer suffering from cabin fever.
If for any reason — whether equipment malfunction or an injury or illness — your team is unable to deliver the promised service, you are not only looking at an angry client but a forever lost client.
That is why you need an emergency backup plan, which means you need more than one worker, at least two snow plow trucks, and two of every other equipment.
Plowing equipment breaks very frequently. If servicing commercial, you should aim to get 3-4 years out of your heavy duty gear.
5. Advertisement Options
Before you spend money on marketing your services, consider every advertisement option.
I always recommend leveraging free local ads and creating business accounts for your snow plow business on Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and Craigslist to promote for free.
If you want to take it up a notch, you can offer a coupon or free service for a limited time to customers who help spread the word about your new venture.
Or if you provide landscaping services, it is great to up-sell your snow services.
6. Price
Last but not least, you must set the right price for each service you offer.
Did you notice I used the word “must” instead of “should”? That’s because the entire success of your business depends on the price you set.
A high price means no clients, while a low price means no profits. So this is one area of your business that requires some serious thought.
Are you ready to start your snow plow business? Good. Check out how Nektyd Software helps you automate the dispatch and billing of Snow Removal Services.