Dumb Question about Snow Plowing

[disneymom3]

So, how do these private snow plowing companies work? Came home from classes this afternoon and we couldn't get up the driveway. Shovelled for 45 min and got half of it done. Now, I hate snow and I have a bad knee and it hurts a lot now AND it is still snowing so my driveway already has enough snow to shovel again. Got me thinking, how does this work if I hire some guy in his truck to come and plow out my driveway, or snowblow it or whatever? If he clears it at say noon and then by 6 it is all snowy again, would they come back? Do they just wait until it is all done, in which case I would have had to do this today anyway as I can't leave my car on the street in the snow or what?

The concern I have here is that DH does not get home until well after 6:00 regularly and he has a few months coming up at work, basically until May, where long hours are going to be expected so we are looking at 7:30-8:00 for him to get home. At that point he is going to need to be with the kids as they will be missing him and i will be going crazy. So, if it snows much this winter HOW on earth are we going to get this done.

Of course, I turn to my DIS friends to show me the ropes. So, tell me all about it......

 

[jipsy]

How many times he plows is up to you. You make the arrangements. They will charge you every time they plow. My BF used to plow driveways; depending on the driveway he charged anywhere from $25-$75 per plow. Most people had small driveways and he only plowed them once. Based on the type of schedule they said they wanted, he would usually begin plowing as soon as the heavy snow started and make his rounds.

 

[Bob Slydell]

It depends. There's typically two types of contracts you can do -- one where they clear your driveway unlimited times for a set fee and one where they charge per the plowing. Most companies would prefer that you sign the unlimited plan, since then they know their income ahead of time.

Either way, IIRC, you can call them to come back out to re-clear your driveway if more snow fell since the last time they plowed. How fast they get around to your driveway will depend on how many trucks they have and where the trucks are at the time.

The problem you might face right now is we're already into the winter and many companies might be booked for the season. Usually they have limited amount of time and trucks and will only have so many client space available.

 

[chi_girl]

I don't have any advice, but I am curious as well. Since i've lived in the Mid-west, I've lived in a high-rise in downtown. We just bought a house in the suburbs and am hoping to get the movers in by early January. I didn't even think about having to deal with snow this winter removal. I hope you get some good answers.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

This is the first year in 4 years that we didn't renew our contract. The way our plow company worked was that we had to sign a contract for the winter. They would come out and plow when the snow was 2 inches (or whatever the number was). and as OP asked, yes if it continues to snow they will come back again. A couple times last winter we were charged for 3 plows for one storm. Probably 8-10 inches max. It really ticked me off when he did those 3 plows per storm while we were on vacation. I know that the house should looked lived in while were gone - but I think that one plow would have been sufficient.
DH has goofy hours and on 3 mornings when I leave for work and to take the kids to school he's not even home yet. I'll just have to deal with it when it happens. I'm sure we will be OK and about $800 for my Disney trip and not the snow plower's Disney trip (hey it looks like Disney wins either way)

 

[disneymom3]

Bob--good info about them maybe being booked. That is very possibly going to be the case. I think I would def want to go with a per snow kind of a deal as the last three years we have had very little snow. Maybe I will get lucky and the guy who showed up at my door with a plow on his truck and offerred to clear my driveway for $10 will be back around this year!

Cindy--that is a lot of money for Disney. I would have been mad about that 3 plows each snowfall esp when you were not there issue too.

Maybe I can find a highschool or jr high boy who really needs some extra cash and whose dad has a snowblower! DHs hours and just so insane and as I mentioned, I just hate winter so passionately that I honestly plain and simple don't want to do it. (Not to mention what it does to my knee.)

 

[mudnuri]

Here, they plow by the storm.

Same price regardless of how many times they plow, its done by storm.

Brandy

 

[puggymom]

I use the same guy that mows my lawn, plows the driveway and clears the walkway up to the front door. I pay one price for 3 - 7 inches and then for every 3 inch increment it goes up in price. For me it's worth it, bad back and a touch of arthitis.

 

[OhMari]

I would look for someone with a snow-blower to do your driveway and sidewalk. Look in your newspaper or go to a Hardware store and look on the boards. You will be surprised what you can find.

We had some quotes at our church for $42 an hour. My son and his friend does it for $8.50 an hour which is a real bargain.

And, don't leave your car out on the road, there are winter rules and you might get a ticket during a snow emergency, or they may even tow your car if it is in the way.