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Does anybody have a idea what to charge for clearing snow off homes?
Min or Max charges[?]
Min or Max charges[?]
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I've been doing snow removal for 3 years and I can honestly say I've never heard of anyone removing snow from a roof! Sounds pretty dangerous.Brian Moyer
Moyer Lawn Care
Lewis, Indiana
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That is the most ridiculous request I have ever heard a customer ask for.Comment
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Are you talking about roofs?
Charge at least double your avg. hrly., check your ins. policy, & never actually get on the roof unless it's flat. You can make good money days after a big fall clearing snow off homes.
You may also want to consider selling & installing heated roofing cables to these customers.Comment
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Let me re-phrase the ? here in NH we get (usually) a lot of snow. Most of the older homes do not use ice-belt or a watershield under- lament, so most want the fist 4-6' of snow removed so they don't get a ice dam built up in front of the gutter causing water to get on the inside of the wall sheathing. Plus some people have flatter pitched roofs. esc: porches. A buddy of mine, his neighbor have this done and was charged $300.00Comment
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I might consider it for $500 per hour.. That is really dangerous. I know what ice daming is. I live in WNY and we have 16" of snow on the ground right now. I have icicles hanging off all over the place. I would say if you can't do it from the ground, don't do it. WAY too much risk. You could adivse customers to go buy roof de-icing wires, but they have been known to start house fires..Steve
Quality Lawn Care & Landscape Management
www.qualitylawncare.bizComment
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Thanks for the input quality..............Comment
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No danger if you have the proper equipment. I am in western mass, and we have about 3 fee of snow on the ground (and roofs). There are alot of houses around here that dont have a very steep pitched roofs. Therefore, the weight of the snow could cause a great deal o damage to the roof. $100/hr is good if you can get on the roof. Dont risk it if the roof is remotly steep. By the way, people dont like it when you tell them $100/hr. Give them an estimate.Comment
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I disagree... Even a slightly pitched roof can be as dangerous as a steep roof. I've been up on roofs in the middle of winter cutting holes after a fire for ventilation, and we had one firefighter that fell off a 1-story 4/12 pitched roof. Ice is ice, it's not just on steep roofs. And $100 will never cover the increase in your insurance or your funeral, when you fall off. If someone really needs the job done, make them pay for it...
BTW, since the firefighter fell off the roof, we are all required to wear safety harnesses attached to ladders when we're working on a roof during the winter.
Don't risk your life because you think you can do something. Do it because you know what your doing and your really getting paid for it.Steve
Quality Lawn Care & Landscape Management
www.qualitylawncare.bizComment
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Anyone that wants to see our Fire Department Explorer Post information, check out:
www.geocities.com/scottsvilleexplorers/home.html
If you have any questions/comments, send them to qualitylandscaping2001@yahoo.com, not to the email links on the website.Steve
Quality Lawn Care & Landscape Management
www.qualitylawncare.bizComment
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It sounds like suicide to me! I would'nt do it!Brian Moyer
Moyer Lawn Care
Lewis, Indiana
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I spent over ten years in the fire service/Firefighter and getting upon a roof in the winter with all the right equipment just to put out a chimney fire (most of them cause they didn't clean them) was plain nuts! A pitch or no pitch they can be like glare ice in any given spot. I have been set down on burning buildings with a snorkel and with safety harness attached cutting holes in the roof and those roofs can be wicked thank GOD for safety harness. I didn't get paid $100.00 an hour to do that but I did it as a public service! and I don't think $100.00 an hour is out of line!!!!!!!!! The roof rakes/shovels that you use from the ground work pretty good although I have not used them a lot but I would start there and stay with your feet on "solid ground."I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -phil. 413Comment
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If you want to remove snow from a roof, you just use a snow rake (https://www.amleo.com/item.cgi?cmd=view&Words=srak).
I'd just charge regular winter hourly labor rates. Does give the arms a great workout on a large two story. (Can U say "rubber arms", LOL)Trick is not to pull rake all the way off of roof. And of course, make sure it is extended enough that you are far back from the falling snow, LOL. Mine came with a 4' rake section and three 4' extensions. And I made another 8'-14' extension. Most of them today are telescoping.
Lots of fun with two guys, two rakes. Start at either end, and race to the middle. Loser has to stand under eaves while other guy rakes on the other side of roof.
Now if the snow has already turned to ice, leave the ice removal to a pro.Comment
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GROUND KPRS in regard to your last statement about ice build up one time when i was working at a hotel they had a Big ice build up so I went upon the roof with about 25lbs of "good ice melt" that worked to about -.30, and it did a good job on the ice on the roof. I wouldn't be scared to do it again as long as i don't have to walk on top the roof i'm cool with it![8D]I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -phil. 413Comment
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Proper tool for ice on roof is a roofer's hatchet. But you have to be pretty good with one in order not to damage roof. Using any kind of ice melter on roof ice can cause a lot of damage to roof (water leakage to inside) if you are not experienced. And then what kind of damage is that ice melter (most likely a salt!) going to do to the plants under the eaves?Comment
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