[Paul]

We seem to be getting a few calls for snow plowing from old customers, asking for us to start plowing again. Last year was one of the lightest snow falls in our area. We had a total of 5 plow-able events. How could you not service these people with so little snow??? I know you are all wondering about how little money you could make on these jobs, but they where contract plows, you got paid whether it snowed or not........

I had decided to suspend plowing because of increased insurance and customers unwilling to absorb the costs involved. Besides it was nice to Not have to watch the weather forecast
Well now it's come to the point that they are offering me the contracts again with my much higher numbers... I enjoyed the time off last year(even got a few things done around the house) Would you take them back?

[Lanelle]

Do your guys want this sort of work this winter or are they planning on lining up other work that would preclude them from plowing? Do these customers realize that this winter will most likely be the last that you will consider plowing? Do you have some back-up to do the call-outs if you decide to take a winter vacation? Basically, I'm asking about the practical side because if that is going to be lots of heartburn, then it may not be worth it at any price. On the other hand if the elements to do the work are in place, sure, might as well make the money.

[Stonehenge]

I guess it'd depend how high 'much higher' was....

[site]

Can you delegate the weather watching? I know no employee will do it with the same dillegence, but with some of that extra $$ it may be possible to pay somebody else to worry.

[Nebraska]

Would you take them back?

Personally my long term plans are to be completely removed from snow removal. We have managed to build the core of the business up so that this year is the first year where we are not dependant upon snow revenue.

I could only imagine what it feels like to sit inside my house and watch the snow fall and have the freedom to at a very minimum to go sledding with the kids...even a vacation to a tropical locale.

One of our employees is in the process of being trained on the ins and outs of monitoring the weather and dispatching the trucks...This will be the first year and needless to say I am a little nervous. For us at this time the money generated is too good to walk away from.

Since these contracts are paying you regardless if it snows or not, take them back if you can find someone to manage it for you.

[BRL]

If you are completely retiring, does that mean the biz is also? Don't know if you've posted that or not. If you will have to let them down in the next season or so, I wouldn't put them through that. If the biz will continue & they are wiling to pay what it costs for good service, then go for it.

[Bexter]

We've decided to sub out all our plowing this coming winter. We will still manage all the billing etc. We think we have a very reliable contractor who we have dealt with before ... Showed him the route last week and gave him the numbers ... we will make 20% ... probably about the same as if we were doing it ourselves. Looking forward to this winter.

[Stonehenge]

Hmmm. I'm watching this thread with great interest. Seems more and more people want out of the snow biz.

Maybe it's best for me to not get into it in the first place....

[Bexter]

Jeff there are guys out there that do very well at snow ... we find it a pain in the azz and hard on equipment. We will make the same if not more subbing it out.
I have never enjoyed a winter ...always watching the weather. It's going to be nice this season to sit by the fireplace enjoying a winter storm.

[BRL]

I think it's either in your blood or not (or you either hate it or love it), with no middle ground really. So in your case Jeff, if you're not really gung ho about it, it will be a harder hill to climb probably? In general, you're out at the worst hours, in the worst weather if you are in this biz (plowing), along with the usual business difficulties. So there aren't that many that can say, "hey this is a great idea" LOL. And those of us that do say that... well you can usually find 1 or 2 of the screws aren't tightened all the way or may be missing in their heads

[jwholden]

I bought a plow for my truck and did it for one year. I couldn't see the logic of watching the weather like a hawk all winter and every time my wife and I wanted to go away for a weekend, the threat of a storm lingered.

I'm with BRL, either you love it or hate it. I choose hate it.

The guys I know that are doing well with plowing are all taking care of commericial stuff. That seems to be where the money is.

[Paul]

Profits on just one of the contracts would run in the $20K range, figuring a normal year. If we had a light year you might figure a bit more. In a heavy year a bit less.

[site]

Are your trucks in shape? Do you have alternate means of keeping employees busy over the winter? Will it lead to any good summer work? 20K profit for +/-5 events on just one contract- I'd be willing to suffer a little, but to each his own.

[Tim]

If you raised your prices by X amount, but plan to dump the contracts for the following season, how would you maintain your company's good standing with those clients? Are your workers wanting to work the "at a moments notice hours" again this Winter, or would they just prefer to take the lay off time? What about the added stress on you and your equipment? If your heart isn't in it, should you be? Tim

[AZTLANLC]

At this point I'm still depending on the snow for some income, but I can see that in the future I won't do plowing.

If you went out of the snow plow biz, must be a reason, and you deeply inside know, that even tough is a nice figure $$ you don't really want to do it, so don't otherwise you'll be regreating this for the whole winter.

Now can you give me their addres and phone number