Whether you're a landscaping small business looking for winter revenue or simply someone with a truck and some motivation to get seasonal income, starting a snow removal business might be the perfect choice if you live somewhere in Canada that gets long, heavy snowfall during the winter. 

Once you've decided to start a snow removal business, the next steps involve finding clients, purchasing equipment, and figuring out how to promote your services.

The legal and liability requirements for starting a business can vary widely, so it's best to reach out to your local small business resources to find out details in this area. 

In the meantime, you can start making plans to get what you need to remove snow for various clients and businesses in your local area.

How To Get Snow Removal Contracts

One of the first things to consider when you start a snow removal business is who your clients will be. When you start a business, it's easy to get caught up thinking about big clients and contracts, but it's usually better to start small. 

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you'll likely be competing against big snow removal companies that have all the contracts for shopping malls, hospitals, government buildings, and the like. 

However, starting small doesn't mean you won't have much to choose from. Instead, you can target contracts with smaller neighborhoods, non-profits like libraries, or small business complexes that aren't located in a larger strip mall location. 

Getting in touch with these potential clients can be a simple matter of cold calling or sending out mailers. 

Equipping Your Snow Removal Business

Just like dreaming of big contracts, it can be tempting to go after every gadget that you might need to remove snow. 

However, it's best to start small and simple. If you already have a sturdy pickup truck, you may just need to add a plow to your truck. 

Here's a list of basic equipment you should invest in to start your business:

• Snow plow attachment that fits your current truck.

• Snow blower for removing snow from sidewalks.

• Heavy winter clothing, including gloves, boots, and a hat to protect from the elements.

• Salt spreader to reduce ice formation on the cleared area.

• Snow shovel to clear or stack snow that can't be reached by your plow.

How To Bid on Snow Removal

It's great to shore up all the right equipment and have some idea of who to target, but now you need to actually go out and bid for the jobs. 

There are many different ways to market yourself to potential customers, but let's take a look at three of the most tried and true methods.

1. Going from door to door is still the best way to bid residential clients. If you live in a place that gets a lot of snow in the winter, it's not too early to start this in August or September. This allows you to cover more ground in the early evening before it gets dark. You can also invest in door hangers, fliers, and Facebook ads. 

2. If you're hoping for commercial clients, always start local and small. Contact small family businesses, community centers, your local township, and any non-profits in the area. 

3. You might also consider sub-contracting. This is a great way to get started with less overhead since most companies will only require a truck with a plow attachment. You can then build experience and a reputation. 

How To Charge For Snow Removal

Trying to decide what to charge can be daunting when you're just starting out. However, the rule of thumb to follow is that you want your business to look attractive to smaller clients who perhaps can't afford to enlist a large snow removal company. 

At the same time, you don't want to charge too little and not take your overhead into account. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle--enough to make a profit while still undercutting larger companies.

Call around and also research online marketplaces to find out what other smaller companies are charging. Then you can price your snow removal service to be competitive for your area.

Pros of Starting a Snow Removal Business

• It's pretty upfront so you can easily gauge where you need to improve and what extra equipment you may need through experience.

• Once you have the equipment and some clients, you're likely to quickly generate a good source of income.

• It's a simple business model that doesn't have a lot of risk and is potentially in high demand during a predictable time of year. 

Cons of Starting a Snow Removal Business

• Clearing snow is hard work and you may end up doing it in challenging weather conditions.

• Your hours might be unpredictable depending on your clients and the weather. Waking up to plow driveways and parking lots at 2 in the morning is not unusual.

• Starting any type of business can be overwhelming at first. Online forums can be a great resource for information for those just starting out.

If you're considering starting a snow removal business, you can find some of your most important equipment options at Action Truck, including snow plows for your truck, snow plow parts and accessories and salt spreaders.