Frequency of plowing

[nicess]

I am new to the plowing business and was wondering how often you plow. For example if your trigger is 2" and you are going to be getting 6" of snow do you plow every 2" or just raise the price and plow once or twice? Also on average how many times during the season do you plow in central ohio if your trigger is 2"?

[jimslawnservice1]

begin plowing at 2" then go back as necessary, 2" inch is only the trigger to get things started.

[Scaper-S2k]

It really depends on the type of property you are servicing. On some accounts, we can go in at the end of the storm and just hit the 6". Some we go in at 2", plow, salt, and then wait until it's over and get the rest.

Then there are other accounts that require constant care. I have quite a few accounts that want their lot to be clear at any given time. So we will go back often throughout the storm to keep their customers walking on clean pavement, or at least a slightly wet pavement due to melted snow. Our main places for that type of care would be restaraunts like Fridays, Applebee's, O'Charleys, etc.

[rembrandt100]

With a 2" trigger on a 6" snowfall I would start at 3-4 ". When I have gone through the entire route (53 sites mostly Res. plus 3 strip malls and 3 apt. buildings) I go back to the first ones that I did and continue till they are clean.

BTW I see most of the posts say they charge more if the snow is deeper. I understand this if it is an extra or one time only deal but if this is a regular client who decides what the depth of snow is?

[CCLS]

It all depends on the time the snow starts and the time snow ends. We services quite a few 24 hour gas stations and hotels which also require attention 24 hours. Our gas stations get plowed every two inches regardless. On a twelve inch snow fall, they expect to see us at least six times.

We basically start at one inch. All of our drivers have a list, they start at the top depending on the time of the snow fall and keep going through their list till the snow is done falling. Most six inch snow falls we clear each business at least twice. Obveously if the snow fall is on the weekend and the business is not open, we generally wait till the snow is completely done before we clear it. We focus the majority of our time on condos and apartments, ect which need more care on the weekends.

[rembrandt100]

Just a thought

Our gas stations get plowed every two inches regardless. On a twelve inch snow fall, they expect to see us at least six times

Do you salt? If you did, you would go at 2", then salt. That would take care of the next 1" also. Then return at the next 2" and salt, that would finish your work with only two visits instead of three.

Dave

[CCLS]

When it is snowing a lot, it is sorta pointless to salt when you plow every two inches. If it is really icy, we will salt or sand just for liability issues. Some accounts we sign a liability waiver, so we do what ever is needed no matter how often to make sure the account is safe.

[SOMM]

trigger 2 to 3; each additional 2 or fraction thereof is $_________ additional.