Winter is a time of inconvenience for everyone in the Northeast. Not only do you need to bundle up to escape the cold, but snow and ice make traveling even short distances a potential hazard. Because of this, snow removal professionals work around the clock to clear roads and commercial properties. Consequently, starting your own snow removal company could be very lucrative during this time of year. So if you’re looking to kickstart a career in a lucrative industry, check out these tips for starting a snow removal business.
Determine Your Service Area
If you’re serious about removing snow professionally, you first need to decide where you’ll offer your services. Like any other company that offers goods or services, your business will perform better in areas with higher demand. In this case, that means places with particularly harsh winters and conditions that will require your assistance. Choose a service radius that typically receives a lot of snowfall every year. Then, make sure that you start out small and grow your offerings as you become more popular.
Acquire the Necessary Licensing
Next, make sure you have all the necessary legal licensing for your area. Every township handles snow removal in its own unique way, and, as a professional, you’ll need to abide by their rules and standards. With a snow removal license from the local government, you’ll be able to perform this service legally. Therefore, making time to visit the town hall to request these documents is crucial.
Buy the Right Equipment and Accessories
You can’t remove snow effectively without the right equipment, either. Advanced snow removal requires access to powerful pieces of machinery that can move large quantities at one time. One of the best pieces of equipment for snow removal businesses is a skid steer equipped with plow attachments. You’ll want to make sure that these machines have the proper snow-grade rubber tracks, as well, to provide them with maximum traction on ice.
Find the Pricing Sweet-Spot
Another important tip for starting a snow removal business is to consider your pricing carefully. Depending on whether your clientele includes commercial or residential properties, you may need to adjust your prices to accommodate certain levels of income. After all, snow removal is a necessity this time of year, and you miss out on a lot of potential revenue by charging too much. But you don’t want to make your rates too low, either. Performing market research on what customers are willing to pay can be incredibly beneficial.
Snow removal is an incredibly lucrative industry for a lot of serious professionals. If you follow the above tips and are willing to put the work in, it can be a great opportunity for you too.
