In this guide

Snow Removal Cost by Method

Depending on the type of equipment used, you have the following options for snow removal. In general, shoveling requires more time and physical labor than using a snowblower or a plow. Before hiring a contractor, always ask how the snow will be removed on your property and what equipment will be used.

Sand for Snow Removal

Sanding costs approximately $10 to $20 per hour with a total cost of $15 to $35 per snow event. Sanding is appropriate if temperatures are below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If above this temperature, salting is typically preferred. When you sand for snow removal purposes, you’re attempting to get better traction on walkways and driveways. Sanding is less effective with melting but will help stop slips from falls and improve driving over ice.

Sand can clog drains on the property. Therefore, it’s important to clean up any residue sand once the stormy weather has passed.

Snow Salt Application Rates

Using salt or chemicals to melt snow and ice will cost around $10 to $20 per hour with a total of $20 to $40 per snow event. Some contractors include salting in their contracts, while others may charge extra for performing these services. In most cases, you should try to salt down before the snow event to prevent snow from settling and any ice from forming. Professionals use spreaders for quick applications and can cover about 250 feet of area per pound of rock salt.

If you have animals in the home, remember to ask about pet-friendly snow salt. Certain types of salt can be toxic to animals if ingested.

Snow Shoveling Cost

This method makes it easier to clean small areas; therefore, it will be useful if there is not much snow to clean or the area to be cleaned is not very large. One of its downsides is that it is more time-consuming. It may also cause some health problems for sensitive people due to the physical labor in cold temperatures. It costs $50-$100 per hour or $30-$90 per snow event.

Snow Blowing Cost

Snow blowers can be used for clearing steep slopes ¹ and gravel driveways. While electric snow blowers are good for areas that don’t receive excessive snow, two-stage gas snow blowers are best for snow accumulation greater than 6 inches. Single-stage snow blowers are not effective for sloped driveways. The average cost is $50-$100 per hour or $35-$75 per snow event.

Snow Plowing Cost

Snow plowing means plowing the snow from your driveway and piling it at one part of your property. If you prefer to have snow removed, you will need to hire additional services. If the service includes snow removal, the snow will be loaded into a truck and disposed of at an approved site. Make sure that the contract clearly specifies what is covered under the terms of your agreement. Snow plowing is good for clearing icy snow and it removes snow relatively fast. However, snow plowing is not suitable for small areas or narrow paths and it can cause damage to gravel driveways if handled by an inexperienced person. It averages $40-$90 per hour or $75-$150 per standard driveway / snow event.

Snow Removal Prices per Inches

Your location plays a major role in determining how much you may have to spend for snow removal every year. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, you can expect to be charged more for snow accumulation greater than six inches. This is primarily because the extra depth requires the contractor to take additional swipes with the plow, ultimately costing more time and gas. For example, if you pay around $80 per hour for snow removal up to six inches, you may have to pay an extra $30 per hour for every additional six inches.

Snow Removal Rates per Square Foot

Although most contractors don’t advertise snow removal rates per square foot, depending on where you live and how much snow you receive, your snow removal contractor may help you understand these calculations. An average U.S. residential driveway is 16x40 feet or 640 square feet, and, based on that average, it’s likely you’d pay around $0.08 to $0.10 per square foot. That’s a total of $50 to $65 per snow event.

Snow Removal Prices by Location

Snow removal can be arranged for driveways, roofs, sidewalks and parking lots. Contractors offer pricing for snow removal by location, and costs may vary, depending on whether it’s a regular residential neighborhood, a large rural driveway or a parking lot.

Driveway Snow Removal Cost

The size and design of your driveway can impact the price of your annual snow removal contract. Snow removal for an average-size driveway of 45 feet will cost between $40 to $60 per hour. If you have an extremely long (over 90 feet), steep or curvy driveway, you may have to pay more for the overall cost to plow the driveway (around $40 to $75 for every additional 100 feet). Snow removal costs for dirt or gravel driveways are usually higher because they take a longer time to clear and de-ice when compared to paved driveways.

Sidewalk Snow Removal Pricing

Clearing sidewalks with a shovel or a snow blower ² usually requires less time than a driveway, due to the smaller area. The average cost for sidewalk snow removal is $45 per hour. The longer the sidewalk, the more time it will take to clear, although many contractors incorporate sidewalk and driveway snow removal services into a package, covering both services for a rate between $45 and $75 per hour.

Snow Removal in Parking Lots

Snow plowing is often the most efficient choice for removing snow from parking lots,because a plow can cover a greater area quickly. The cost for these services varies, based on the size of the parking lot, but snow plowing for parking lots is usually between $50 and $150 per hour. The price is determined by the location and size of the parking lot, as well as the need for salting or sanding ³ services. If you want the snow completely removed from the lot instead of just plowed to the side, the price may go up to cover the extra time and resources.

Roof Snow Removal Cost

Roof snow removal requires special tools, due to heights. Snow that accumulates on the roof can eventually lead to the creation of ice dams and damage to the property. Roof snow removal therefore helps preserve roofing, keeping you and your house safe. In addition to removing snow from ground-level areas, most snow removal companies will also remove snow from your roof for an extra $200-$500. If hired separately, the service averages $90-$100 per hour.

Professional Snow Removal Cost

Ideally, the contractor or an employee from the snow removal company should visit your property before the start of the season to determine what sort of snow removal conditions they would face and what equipment they would need. Many contractors charge between $50 and $100 per hour.

Be prepared to pay a small refundable deposit (around $50), which will be returned at the end of the season. When services are charged by the hour, the type of equipment used will affect the final price: The less time they have to spend, the less you will have to pay.

Remember that the cost of hiring a professional by the hour depends on their overhead and operating costs. The distance driven is also incorporated into the costs and depends on the distance of your home from the company's base and on whether there are other jobs they can do in your neighborhood or on the way to your house.

Some contractors charge per visit/push ($75), per event ($35-$90), per month ($150-$250), per season ($400-$600). If you live in a heavy-snow area, a per-season setup may be more common, but per-event and per-visit services are more common in regions with occasional snowfalls.

Snow Removal Contract Cost

You may get a discount if you sign a year-round snow removal contract or if you hire a service provider before the snow season starts. The average cost for an annual contract is between $300 and $600. The price offered by professional snow removal companies in your area depends on the average snow per season and associated labor costs. If you live in an area that typically gets just a few dustings of snow, a seasonal contract may be less than in a region with heavy snowfall across the winter.

The contractor will typically visit the property to assess the situation and arrive at an estimate, which includes the initial visit and is based on an agreed amount you will pay over the course of twelve months, usually at a discounted rate overall. This also buys you priority snow removal service, which can be a big perk if you are waiting to access your driveway or leave for work, as are all your neighbors. If snow removal has been a regular concern for you in previous seasons, then a professional snow removal contract may resolve the need for regular snow cleanup and allow you to get a better deal on snow plow rates.

Tips for Hiring a Snow Removal Service

Hiring a new service for your home can be a delicate task, and you’ll want to make sure you are engaging the right professional to do the job. Here are some tips that will help you through the process:

• Always ask for a written quote and an inspection visit before signing the contract.
• Find out what your neighbors and other people in the area are paying for the same services in order to know what to expect. Ask them how long it usually takes for snow shoveling, blowing or plowing, so that you can estimate how long it would take to clear your driveway and sidewalk.
• Verify references and make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured.
• Compare quoted prices of snow plowing services to ensure that you get a fair deal. Look at the average cost of snow removal and the average cost to have a driveway plowed and compare these figures to what the contractor has offered you.
• Some driveways are parallel to the garage door and plowing them can leave a snowbank in front of the garage door. It's important to have the removal of this pile included in the contract.
• Some year-round contracts specify a certain number of plows per season. If you need more plowing, it would involve additional charges. Since these types of arrangements should be made in advance of the season, plan ahead, because there may be limited availability in your region.
• If you want your steps, sidewalks, patios, porch or walkways to be cleared, make sure they are included in the snow removal contract.
• Find out the company’s average response time and whether you are required to call them or if they come out automatically when the snow accumulates to a certain level.
• Some ground-care companies provide snow removal during winter and lawn care during the warmer months. This may get you better rates and better service. A few companies may also allow you to exchange unused snow removal visits for lawn care.
• If you are hiring a national or well-established snow removal company, do a quick online search for any coupons or new-customer promotions that may be offered in your region.

Snow Blower vs Plow

In some incidences, you’ll have to determine if it would be better to use a snow blower or have your property plowed. To find out the most cost-effective solution, you’ll have to evaluate the size of your property and the amount of snow accumulated.

Snow plowing is best for large amounts of snow. A snow plow quickly removes snow in half the time of a snow blower. Snow plows are ideal for large areas that need snow removed, including driveways and parking lots. If you have accumulations over a foot, then a plow works best to quickly and efficiently get the area cleared. Snow plows have some drawbacks. With a plow, accidents are more likely to happen due to decreased visibility. Plows may end up damaging your lawn, shrubs, trees, lawn ornaments, and stonework. Most significantly, plows cannot remove snow from areas such as sidewalks, paths, decks, and porches. Snow plowing costs between $75 and $150 for a snow event, which is more expensive than snow blowing.

Snow blowing is ideal for more compact areas requiring snow removal, including sidewalks, decks, front porches, and small driveways. Snow Blowers are easier to maneuver, so they are less likely to cause property damage like snow plows. Snow blowers also work for modest amounts of snow, especially light, fluffy types. Snow blowing costs range from $35 to $75 per snow event, which is at a lower price point than plowing. The disadvantages of snow blowing are that the snow removal process takes longer and isn’t ideal for snow fall over six inches.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Heated Driveway Cost

Heated driveways will cost an average of $2,000 to $6,000 installed. Heated driveways work in the same manner as radiant floor heat. Water and antifreeze flow under padding in the driveway and can be switched on and off. The only real benefit of a heated driveway is snow and ice removal, which means it works best for properties in northern states with large annual snowfall amounts.

Roof Heating Cable Installation Cost

Roof heating cable installation projects cost around $550 to $1,050 when performed by a professional. With a roof heating system, you’re able to prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the roof. When turned on, the cables warm up, and the system protects shingles from weather damage and keeps gutters and downspouts flowing properly.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

² Blower: An accessory that makes a fireplace more efficient by circulating the warm air in the fireplace to other areas of the home

³ Sanding: Process of removing the top surface of a material, such as wood, using sandpaper and/or a specialized sanding machine (for large surface areas)