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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Home Maintenance & Moving > Snow Removal

Snow Removal Cost


How Much Does Snow Removal Cost?

 
average costMedium: Rates Can Run $25-$75 an Hour; Contracts Can Run $30-$45+ Per Stormhigh costHigh: Snow Blowers Start $100-$500

Snow can be beautiful but also backbreaking if you're having to heft it in a snow shovel. Less strenuous snow removal generally means either buying power equipment or hiring someone to do the work for you.

Typical costs:

  • Also called snow throwers, snow blowers start about $100-$500 for electric snow shovels or snow throwers for light snow removal (generally less than 4 inches deep). For up to 7 inches deep or heavier snow, single-stage gas snow blowers are good for moderately difficult conditions and cost about $350-$800. For tough jobs -- a large area, steep slope, heavy snow -- a two-stage gas snow thrower that can clear a path 28-30 inches wide may cost $1,000-$3,500 or more.
  • Charges for one worker using a shovel, snow blower or a mower with snow blade attachment can run $25-$75 an hour, and the time required will depend entirely on conditions and the size and type of area to be cleared. Clearing sidewalks and walkways is more time-consuming than plowing driveways, and will generally cost more.
  • Contracting with a company to plow a standard driveway (of average length and with a two-car garage) varies considerably depending on location, but can run about $30-$45 per storm; longer, steep or gravel driveways can be $50-$65 or more depending on the length, slope and condition of the driveway. A Conneticut homeowner[1] paid about $45 per storm of 3 inches or more for a 25x40 driveway and 130 feet of sidewalk. Hiring per storm or on an emergency basis could cost more.
Related articles: Gutter Cleaning, Chimney Sweep, Pressure Washing

What should be included:
  • Electric snow throwers are less powerful than gas models, but easier to store; they're good in areas that don't receive a lot of snow, or for clearing extremely small areas. Single-stage gas snow blowers don't work well on slopes. Two-stage gas throwers first break up the snow then blow it out through a chute in two separate actions, and are generally considered the best buy if you tend to have snow more than 6 inches deep or snow that is heavy, wet or icy, or on a steep slope or rough gravel surface
  • Equipment used for snow plowing can range from a truck with a plow attachment, a tractor-mounted snow blower or a large front-loader (a tractor with a front blade). Ask which types of equipment a company uses, and exactly how the snow will be removed on your property. Some homes are laid so that the driveway is parallel to the garage door and plowing the driveway can leave a snow bank in front of the garage door. It's important that the plowing contract specifically include removing such a snow bank. A plowing contractor should view your property before the snow starts to determine what sort of plowing challenges exist.
Additional costs:
  • Some plowing contracts set a limit on the number of plows per season, then charge a higher price for additional visits. Some companies include sanding and salting as part of the plowing contract rate and others bill it as an extra charge.
Discounts:
  • You can often get a better deal if you sign a plowing contract before the snow season begins. Owners of vacation homes may get a better contract plowing rate if they agree their property can be plowed last, after occupied residences.
  • Some public works departments will plow selected private driveways for a minimal fee of $25-$50, but do the work on a time-available basis and may skip doing private driveways in order to clear more roads.
Shopping for snow removal:
  • CNN provides brief tips[2] for buying the right snow thrower; a snow blower collector shares his detailed shopping suggestions[3] ; and Consumer Reports offers a buying guide[4] .
  • Ask neighbors, family and friends for recommendations for snow plowing services operating in your immediate area. Estimates are subject to change, so request bids or quotes. Be sure you understand exactly what's included (plowing, spreading sand or salt, who provides materials), when additional charges may apply and, if it becomes necessary, what it will take to end the contract.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Snow Removal from walkway
Amount: $30.00
Posted by: JACKIE1921 in Wakefield, MA.Posted: December 25th, 2016 08:12AM
snow that 4" or more removed from front walkway
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Snow removal sale or sand spreaders
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: Jacob snow in Norwich, CT.Posted: October 17th, 2016 06:10AM
Ayala's lawn care & home improvements fast and reliable clear my driveway 30×40 and side walks spread salt $75.00 give this guy a call 8609388032
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Snow plowing in rural Vermotn
Amount: $22.00
Posted by: Larelle in Jericho, VT.Posted: October 8th, 2016 08:10AM
These rates others are quoting seem quite high!
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Driveway, City side walk, and walk to my front door
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: Buck 22 in Waterloo, IA.Posted: February 18th, 2016 06:02PM
My Drive is about 100ft long and 80 ft wide. I have a city walk that is about 400 ft long and a walk to my front door that is around 80 ft long. The contractor Cjs lawn and snow came in and plowed my drive and snow blowed all my walks in a very timely manner for $50 per time 2in or more. They charged extra for salting but we didnt opt for that but the prices seemed quite reasonable. On one occassion the city plow came by pushing back the snow off the street and pushed my drive back shut at the end and Cjs came back and cleared it again and only charged me $25 since it was only the end. Really great guys and did a great job. Signed up with them for the next 2 yrs at same rate
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Snow Clearing
Amount: $100.00
Posted by: Andrew3333 in Sleepy Hollow, NY.Posted: November 4th, 2015 11:11AM
I used a licensed contractor in Westchester 914.469.0723 to clean my driveway and walkway about 200 feet x 30 feet. Up to 3 inches was $100 including sand. I found them to be the most reliable and affordable in the area of Tarrytown Sleepy Hollow
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Snow removal.
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: wittywo in Old Saybrook, CT.Posted: February 16th, 2015 07:02AM
I was quoted 75 for the first 6 minutes and 7dollars a minute afterwards. My driveway is about 15 feet only and was told that short driveways were sometimes harder to do. Talk about scalping. My daughter ended up shoveling the driveway herself.
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A very long driveway! 50 YARDS
Amount: $40.00
Posted by: Tuffy in Council Bluffs, IA.Posted: February 1st, 2015 08:02PM
Gave a $10 tip, so a total of $50. He ran truck thru driveway and hand shoveled the sidewalks, deck and steps. I tried to get a head start last night -but overnight the drifts grew to 5 and 6 feet or more. Plus the alley is dirt/gravel and is not maintained by city. the only way out is the driveway! I am very happy with the service and promptness.
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Cheapest I found in Des Moines Iowa
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: s.remington in Des moines, IA.Posted: November 3rd, 2014 10:11AM
I had a drive way 200 foot long. Remline Construction & snow removal was johnny on the spot. only charged me 75.00 per clean and 35.00 extra for sand and cleaning sidewalks. They also do commercial and do it to help people not to rip off customer. Give them a call just talked to them for this year contract.
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I purchase a contract with Elm City Landscaping
Amount: $2,500.00
Posted by: Lou johnson in Hamden, CT.Posted: October 1st, 2014 09:10AM
I spent almost twice that last year paying by the inch with a different company for my commercial lot, they are out of New Haven County
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Connor and Sons Landscaping and Snow Removal
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Gerald in Smyrna, DE.Posted: August 26th, 2014 04:08AM
Great Friendly service. Did a great job clearing all the walkways, and driveway.
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Snow removal/guttercleanout/homeimprovement
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: Jinny438 in Cranston, RI.Posted: November 25th, 2012 03:11AM
Reliable,very reasonabbly priced Jdh home improvement also does remodeling.very good company 401-688-3639 ask for Jeremy i think they serve all of rhode island and parts of mass.and Ct.they have a website www.jdhhomeimprovement.com and on yelp and angies list.I will def.use again.
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"Typical cost"
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Rohn Stewart in Mpls., MN.Posted: October 14th, 2011 11:10AM
In my experience snow brooms are good for moving only 1/2" of snow.

Snow bowers are rated by horse power (i.e. 5hp) are good for up to 4"
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Driveway and Private street
Amount: $100.00
Posted by: John Giottis in Niantic, CT.Posted: August 26th, 2011 12:08AM
I have a wraparound the house driveway that is kinda long. I usually pay around $75. The contractor Ryan agreed to plow my private street on the way to and from my house. I saved at least a $100 on the street. It might not seem like much but I asked three other companies to do the same and they responded with $150-250 quotes. I been getting my driveway cleared for over ten years and I have the same rate locked in for this year.
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MARTINEZ SNO PLOWING 100 foot drive way.
Amount: $60.00
Posted by: happy custumer in Milwaukee, WI.Posted: January 28th, 2011 10:01PM
arrived promtly and is always polite with us and neabors dose charges extra for salting but is fare with his prices. phone # (414)507-7355
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External Resources:
  1.  www.city-data.com/forum/connecticut/181067-snow-removal-cost.html
  2.  money.cnn.com/2004/11/22/pf/saving/willis_tips/index.htm
  3.  home.gwi.net/~spectrum/snowbuying.html
  4.  www.consumerreports.org/cro/snow-blowers/buying-guide.htm
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