How Much Does Snow Removal Cost?
Snow is wonderful when you have nothing to do and nowhere to be, other than snuggling in front of a roaring fire with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa. But when you have to leave the comfort of your warm house and spend hours shoveling snow just to clear your driveway, it can be a pain. A professional snow removal company can save you all that trouble and hassle. After all, just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean you can’t get to where you need to be, if you have the help of expert contractors. Snow removal services are also a boon for homeowners who cannot deal with the snow on their own because of health issues.
The cost for snow removal service varies, based on where you live, how big the driveway is and the frequency of removal service. The national average cost ranges from $75 to $150. Removing up to six inches of snow from a standard driveway with snow plowing or shoveling costs most homeowners around $100 for professional hand-shoveling to remove up to 6 inches of snow from a standard driveway. Costs can be as low as $40 for removing six inches of snow with a blower 1 or plow and can be as high as $600 for an annual snow removal contract.
Snow Removal Prices
| Snow Removal Cost | |
|---|---|
| National average cost | $100 |
| Average range | $75-150 |
| Minimum cost | $40 |
| Maximum cost | $600 |
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Snow Removal Cost by Project Range
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.
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Shoveling | $50-$100 per hour $30-$90 per snow event |
| Snow blowers | $50-$100 per hour $35-$75 per snow event |
| Snow plowing | $40-$90 per hour $75-$150 per standard driveway/snow event |
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 2 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.
| Amount of snow | Average cost to remove snow |
|---|---|
| 6 inches or less | $80 per hour |
| 6 - 12 inches | $110 per hour |
| 12 inches - 18 inches | $140 per hour |
| 18 inches or more | $170 per hour |
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.
| Square feet | Average cost to remove snow |
|---|---|
| 640 square feet or less | $0.08-$0.10 per square foot $50-$65 per snow event |
| 641-800 square feet | $0.08-$0.10 per square foot $65-$80 per snow event |
| 800-1000 square feet | $0.08-$0.10 per square foot $80-$100 per snow event |
| 1,000 square feet or more | $0.08-$0.10 per square foot $100-$150 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.
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| Driveway | $40-$60 per hour $200-$600 per season |
| Sidewalk | $45 per hour $200-$400 per season |
| Parking lot | $50-$150 per hour $200-$600 per season |
| Roof | $90-$100 per hour $300-$500 per season |
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 (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.
| Driveway length | Average cost for snow plowing |
|---|---|
| 45 feet or less | $40-$60 per hour |
| 45-90 feet | $50-$90 per hour |
| 90-190 feet | $95-$165 per hour |
| 190 feet or more | $100-200 per hour |
Sidewalk Snow Removal Pricing
Clearing sidewalks with a shovel or a snow blower 1 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) or 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
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.
| Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per event | $35-$90 |
| Per hour | $50-$100 |
| Per visit/push | $75-$100 |
| Per month | $150-$250 |
| Per annual contract | $300-$600 |
| Per season | $400-$600 |
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.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Salt Application Rates
Some contractors include salting and sanding 3 in their contracts, while others may charge extra for performing these services. Typically, the addition of salt or chemicals to melt ice will cost around $20-$40 per session.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Professional snow removal companies have all the equipment and expertise needed to meet your snow clearing needs. If you set out to buy a snow plow attachment for your truck, it may cost you anywhere from $750 to $1,500. You must also add the cost of incidental repairs, maintenance and gas to the initial investment. And you need some expertise to clear snow from a driveway using a plow. Alhough shoveling is another option for DIYers, it is strenuous and time-consuming work in oftentimes cold and windy conditions.
- Using reflectors or snow markers (around $2 per piece) to clearly outline the driveway can help speed up the snow removal process.
FAQs
- How much does it cost to plow a parking lot?
Snow plowing for commercial parking lots may be priced between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on your location, size of the parking lot, need for additional services like salting or sanding 3, and whether you want the snow to be simply plowed or also removed.
- How much does it cost to have your driveway plowed?
A standard driveway up to 90 feet in length can be plowed for $100 per visit/snow event.
- What is the average cost for snow removal?
On an average, you can expect to pay $75-$150 for removing up to six inches of snow.
- What is the cheapest way to remove snow?
The cheapest way to remove snow is to buy a shovel for around $20 and do it manually all season. Since this is time-consuming and laborious, it makes sense to pay a snow removal contractor per season via a contract in climates that get regular snowfall (for example, $400-$600 per season), or pay for a single visit ($50-$100 per hour) for shoveling and snow blowing services.
- How much does it cost to have your lawn mowed?
Depending on your location and size of the lawn, you can expect to pay $75-$100 per visit to have your lawn mowed.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 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)
How much does it cost to hire a snow removal service in my city?
Cost to hire a snow removal service varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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