Does anybody snowplow for extra winter dough?

I was thinking bout investing in snowplow for my main roofing truck ('05 f350 super duty 4x4). Is there any money to be made or is their to many unemployed people and to much competition. Im just looking for any up-front advice on the pitfalls or advice for a successful plow season. Mainly going to target residential drives. Any advice on brand of plow; im sure there all good but if im buying I want something decent. Here in Northern Illinois last year we had a record snowfall season; so far we have had 1 good snow bout 10" with more to come soon they say. I know there is plenty of us here on RCS that are in the snowbelt. Just need some advice on what to avoid. Thanks in advance----------------------H

I have never had a problem getting paid for snow plowing......the company I plow for now pays us within 5 days. I sign a contract with them just like I do a roofing customer. If they dont pay you, either sue em or kick their ass.....your choice.

I did have a guy try to not pay me for a roof once....but a $50 bill and a crackhead with a bat, that gent decided he wanted to pay.

I don't work for anyone if I don't know where they live or how to find them........whether it is roofing or plowing snow.

Yes i forgot to mention that part -- i have never been ripped off pay but i did have to wait - last year until April i was paid for my hourly routes -- supposed to be 30 day cycle -- I was a sub from a sub and the sub i subbed from went through a divirce so it was in question weather i was getting paid. This year i am not subbing from him

Sound resonable, but you still have to bill and get paid for your work. Not easy AFTER the snow is gone.

I just read again targeting residential drives -- i do a couple and have them on a yearly contract at $25.00 per drive times 12 -- you will also probably want them to know you will be there when it is done snowing or a time like 5AM -- These people will not want to pay for every 2 inches - that is why i am at 12 seasonal plows vs 14.

I have been plowing for 20+ years -- have had pretty good luck with equipment but i maintain it all myself and it has just been me plowing only - i can get just as much done with my 8ft western as any of the v plows in roughly the same time depending on the lot layout also alot cheaper and easier to fix -- average sub pay here is $55.00 - $60.00 per hour - if you are the general then about$85.00 per hour -- Most commercial lots are on a time frame to open like by 5AM so this will limit your hours unless it is an apartment complex -- so i figure 4-6 hours on a 2-4 inch and 6-8 on a 4-6 inch and so on -- snow only falls so fast -- so commercial you have the time frame but easy empty lots-- apartment building and townhomes are good for hours because most people are not out of the lot until after 5 pm so you can go in the day but then you have more traffic. So if you are looking to make hours you would want some of each you would also need back up on heavier snow falls anything over 8-10 hrs in a truck will get to your arse, and legs, and brain seeing white.

If you can get contract or yearly wages this may be better - just average your hourly rate you want to make per job times the average annual plows per year. Here in MN in is about 14 plowable snow events at 8 hrs per-- so for me i average $6720.00 extra per year minus 800 for fuel and $600 in maintenance and ins -- $5300 per year for 4 months equals about $331.00 a week -- and that would be a good year -- so no not really alot of money for being on call all the time but it does break up the boredom and help pay for the equipment in the off months.

I have plowed snow for about 10 years now. I have 3 plow trucks...and we have a skid steer. It is a very profitable venture if you already own the truck.

I don't have that many of my own accounts....I work for a large landscaping company and have for th elast 5-6 years.

In my area we get about $75-85 per hour per truck and $125-150 per hour for skid steer. Every 2" snow we get about 40 total hours....and if we get 6-8" we can total 70+ hours.

If you get your own accounts they pay about 125 per hour per truck and 200-225 for skid.

Knock on wood....I maintain my trucks and have been lucky. I have one truck with 250,000+ miles, it is a 2000 Chevy 2500 and has original engine a tranny. I bought it new from dealer with a Boss plow. I have a 2004 F250 with a Hiniker V Plow.

Boss plows are my favorite, followed by Hiniker. Get whichever one that the dealer is closest to you and has good hours. Our local BOSS dealer is open 24 hours during snow events....which is nice. With your truck you should get a V plow and concentrate on commercial lots...either on your own or sub for a larger company.

www.plowsite.com has lots of info including people needing help in all parts of US.

Sorry to get long winded....but I love plowing!

You can make money, but getting paid is another matter. It is HARD on the equipment, especially if you have never done it before. One big repair can wipe out a months worth of plowing revenue. The cold is really rough on the quipment too.

Some of the excavators up here plow snow in the winter, but not too many of them. A large front end loader going across a parking lot and hitting a curb hidden in the snow or a man hole cover will really light you up. You may be better off working for a plowing company so that you can get paid by the hour with your truck when there is sonw to plow. They take care of the billing and collecting, and YOU drive YOUR truck and don't let anyone else plow with it. If you break it, it is your fault that way. Probably a break even proposition. Good luck!