Commercial snow removal services can be a cost-effective solution for businesses, especially during harsh winter seasons. Instead of worrying about shoveling snow or managing icy conditions on your property, you can rely on professionals to do the job for you.
But how much does commercial snow removal cost? What types of services and contracts are available? In this guide, we’ll break down common pricing structures and options to help you make the best decision for your business.
Commercial Snow Removal Contract Pricing
The cost of commercial snow removal varies from company to company. Generally, though, you’ll encounter five types of snow removal contracts:
- Seasonal contract
- Per-event contact
- Per-inch contract
- Per-visit contract / Per-push contract
- Time and materials contracts / Per-hour contract
Seasonal Contract
Seasonal contracts offer a fixed rate for the entire snow season, which typically spans several months from November to April or May. These contracts often include a set number of service events, meaning the snow removal company will clear snow up to a specified limit.
At Tuck Home Services, we cover up to 20 events per season. If more than 20 events occur, additional services are billed per event. However, heavy snow seasons rarely exceed this limit—our last two winters averaged only 15 events per season.
Costs:
- Large residential properties: $1,500–$2,000 per season.
- Premium services (priority clearing, ice control, snow hauling): Up to $13,000 per season.
Seasonal contracts offer predictable costs, making them ideal for areas with consistent snowfall.
Per Event Contract
With per-event contracts, you pay a set price for each snowstorm. The snow removal company will visit your property for the entire duration of the snowfall to clear out the area.
Although ideal for areas with unpredictable snowfall, per-event contracts are usually more expensive than other options because they charge a flat fee for each individual storm.
For many companies, an “event” is defined as a snowstorm occurring within a single calendar day (from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM). However, some companies define an event as the time a worker leaves the property after completing snow removal, regardless of the time of day.
Costs for this service type can add up quickly during heavy or prolonged snow events, often surpassing what you’d pay with a seasonal contract (which typically covers multiple visits for one set price). Multiple storms in a short time frame can also drive up your expenses significantly.
Nevertheless, this model makes it so that you only pay for snow removal services when they’re needed, which can be beneficial if your area experiences sporadic or mild winters.
We used to do per-event contracts but later dismissed them because they required a lot of administrative work. We much prefer focusing our energy on seasonal contracts that allow us to plan and manage resources more efficiently.
And, again, they’re usually more cost-effective for the clients we’re working with. We service the New Hampshire area, which is known for its heavy snowfall. Some locations experience about 30 to 50 snowfalls per winter season. So if we charged an average of, say, $100 to $150 per event, the total cost for snow removal throughout a season could cost up to $7,500.
Per-inch Contract
As the name suggests, per-inch contracts charge you for every inch of snow cleared from the ground. It’s one of the more popular pricing models because it has a straightforward concept: you pay for what gets cleared.
Typically, you’ll be charged a flat rate for the first four to six inches of snow then an additional amount per extra inch.
Six inches of snow usually fall between $65 and $110, then an additional $3 to $10 for every inch after that. Some companies also switch to an hourly rate for additional inches.
Per-inch contracts are great for businesses on a budget because the price per inch is usually a flat fee, making it easier to predict snow removal costs.
However, this model can still lead to fluctuating costs in areas with unpredictable snowstorms. You might pay under $65 for a light snowfall one day, then face a $300 bill for a heavier storm the next.
You could shovel smaller areas or clear paths before the snow removal company arrives to save costs, but this defeats the purpose of hiring a professional service in the first place (which is to save time and labor from your end).
Per-visit Contract / Per-Push Contract
With per-visit contracts, business owners pay a set fee each time a snow removal service is performed. The typical cost of this service ranges from $75 to upwards of $150, depending on the size of the area being cleared and the amount of snow accumulated during the visit.
This pricing model is best for areas where snowfall is infrequent and unpredictable, allowing you to only pay for the services when they’re needed.
The downside of this service is that costs can add up quickly if multiple visits are necessary during a single storm.
And if the area experiences a sudden storm, business owners may have trouble reaching the snow removal company as they could be dealing with multiple properties and high demand. This can lead to delays in service, meaning you might have to wait a few hours or even days for your property to be cleared.
That issue isn’t present with seasonal contracts because these agreements guarantee snow removal services throughout the winter season, regardless of how many storms occur. When an unexpected snowstorm hits, the snow removal company will automatically arrive to clear the snow first thing in the morning—no need to make a call to request service.
Time and Materials Contract / Per Hour Contract
Time and Materials-based contracts are priced based on the time spent and the materials (and equipment) used per snowstorm. Therefore, these contracts don’t operate on a fixed cost. The heavier the storm, the higher the cost.
Budgeting for this type of service can be difficult because you won’t know in advance how long the work will take or exactly what materials will be required until the contractor offers an estimate. And even then, the final price may change based on the actual work involved.
Factors That Affect Commercial Snow Removal Costs
The cost of commercial snow removal depends on multiple factors, including:
Difficulty of Plowing
Steeper driveways, tight spaces, or properties with obstacles like signs, trees, or vehicles can make snow removal more challenging. The more difficult it is to maneuver the equipment or find a place to pile the snow, the higher the cost.
Amount of Snow
The heavier the snow, the more effort and time it’ll take to clear.
Seasonal contracts rarely look at the amount of snow as they take care of the work regardless of how thick at a fixed price. The same can’t be said with per-inch, per-visit, and per-event contact as they’re based on the amount of snow or the number of visits required to clear it.
Size of the Location
Larger areas naturally require more time, equipment, and labor to clear, upping the cost of the service. Steep curves and hills will also affect the cost. The more complex the road/driveway, the higher the snow removal bill will be.
Any Shoveling / Manual Clearing That Must Be Done
Commercial snow removal companies usually use a snow plow to remove snow.
But snow plows don’t fit in certain areas, like walkways, tight spaces, and entrances, and thus need to be cleared manually. These areas require additional labor to shovel or use smaller equipment like snow blowers, which takes more time and effort.
As a result, manual clearing increases the overall cost of service, especially when large areas need to be cleared by hand.
Average Cost For Commercial Snow Removal
Depending on the factors mentioned above and the type of contract negotiated, the average costs of commercial snow removal can be as follows:
Seasonal Contracts
Seasonal contracts offer a fixed price for the entire winter season, making it the ideal contract for businesses looking for reliable and predictable snow removal services.
The average cost of seasonal contracts starts from $500 for small properties to upwards of $2,000 for large properties. Larger areas with special needs (e.g., parking lots, sidewalks) may fall on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
Services for certain commercial properties, especially those that take multiple hours to clear, can reach $13,000 for the season.
Per-Event Contracts
Unlike seasonal contracts, per-event contracts charge a flat fee for each individual event.
An event usually covers a single calendar day, from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. For example, if a storm starts at 3 PM and continues past midnight, a new event begins the following day, resulting in an additional charge.
The average cost of these services ranges from $150 to $500 per event, depending on the severity of the storm, the size of the property, and the level of service needed.
Per-Inch Contracts
For per-inch contracts, you’ll be charged based on the amount of snow that falls. The average cost of such contracts is between $65 to $110 per four to six inches of snow, plus a flat $3 to $10 per additional inch.
Per Hour Contacts
Typically, snow removal companies calculate per-hour costs using this formula:
Number of workers needed x workers’ hourly rate x estimated number of hours to complete the job = cost
For example, if a snowstorm requires three workers, each paid $30 per hour, and the estimated time to clear the property is four hours, the total labor cost for that event would be:
3 workers x $30 per hour x 4 hours = $360
In addition to labor costs, materials like salt or sand equipment like snow plows or blowers would also be added to the total cost.
Typically, though, expect to pay between $30 to $80 per hour on average depending on the size of the property.
Per Visit / Per Push
Per-visit contracts charge clients a flat rate for every visit. The cost can vary depending on the terms of the agreement (frequency of visits, extra costs for additional services, weather conditions, etc.), and it may be based on per-inch or per-hour rates.
Per-visit contracts can get costly for large properties because bigger areas like parking lots or large driveways may require several visits to fully clear the snow, which can quickly add up.
Commercial Snow Removal Rates Per Square Foot
Multiple factors affect the cost per square foot for snow removal, including the amount of accumulated snow, geographical location, equipment needed, additional services like salting or de-icing, and the overall complexity of the services required.
Generally, though, you can expect to pay between $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot for snow removal services. So, for a 100,000-square-foot big box store, expect to pay $10,000 on the lower end and $50,000 on the higher end.
Urban areas and regions prone to heavy snowfall typically see higher rates not only because of higher demand but also the challenges associated with snow removal in populated areas. Pricing models can also affect the cost, with seasonal contracts typically falling on the lower end compared to per-visit or per-inch contracts.
Snow Removal Methods for Commercial Properties
Commercial snow removal companies use a number of snow removal methods to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Some of these methods include:
Plowing
Plowing is the most common method for removing snow in large areas.
We typically use a snowplow, which is a vehicle with a mounted attachment designed to clear snow from roads, parking lots, driveways, and other large areas. These plows are mounted on large trucks, such as pickup trucks or dump trucks.
Tuck Home Services operates with a fleet of nine vehicles, including five 3/4-ton pickups, two 1-ton pickups, and two 1-ton dump trucks. Each of our trucks is managed and maintained by our Fleet Manager, who keeps them in top condition to handle even the toughest winter conditions.
Shoveling
Shoveling is another common removal method used by commercial snow removal companies. We only use shovels in areas too tight for plows and other machinery to reach, like small driveways, walkways, and entrances.
Snow Blowing
Like shoveling, snow blowing is commonly used on small areas like sidewalks, walkways, driveways, and other spaces where snowplows and large machinery can’t fit.
Snow blowers can either be manual (single-stage) or machine-powered (two-stage or three-stage).
Single-stage snow blowers are handheld devices powered by gas or electric engines. They use a single auger to scoop up snow and throw it out the chute.
Meanwhile, two-stage snow blowers are machine-powered devices that look much like a lawn mower or a mini-tractor, depending on the model.
They’re a lot larger than single-stage blowers and feature a wide front auger and impeller to scoop up and throw snow. Some even have self-propulsion so they’re easier to push through heavy snow or uphill. These machines clear out snow from bigger areas like driveways, parking lots, and commercial spaces.
Three-stage snow blowers can work in depths of up to 23 inches and throw snow up to 50 feet. They’re great for driveways that are over 60 feet long and are often used to clear snow left by a snow plow. They’re equipped with an accelerator to make it easier to cut through icy snow.
Snow Hauling
Sometimes, snow removal companies need to haul snow away because there isn’t enough room to store it on the property.
This is especially true in busy commercial areas or densely populated locations, where piling snow along curbs or parking lots can block walkways, entrances, and important pathways. The snow may even fall back into the cleared area, undoing the work that’s already been done.
With this service, snow removal companies load the snow into trucks and deposit it in designated dump sites or snow storage areas, where it eventually melts or gets removed.
Roof Raking
Roof raking is a snow removal service wherein the snow is removed from roofs to prevent snow build-up.
Most roofs are designed to support heavy loads of snow, but excessive build-up can lead to the sinking or collapsing of the roof. Roofs should have no more than six inches of snow to avoid ice dams and roof collapse.
Salting and Sanding
Salting and sanding are prevention methods rather than actual snow removal methods. They help prevent snow from accumulating and becoming dangerous.
Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which helps melt snow and ice on contact and makes surfaces less slippery. Sand, on the other hand, doesn’t melt snow but provides traction, making it easier to walk or drive on icy surfaces.
Salting and sanding methods are used in combination with plowing or snowblowing to manage snow and ice effectively.
The amount of salt and sand needed varies, but it’s common to use around 300 to 400 pounds of salt per acre for moderate ice conditions and about the same for sand, totaling 600 to 800 pounds combined.
We often recommend a salt sand mix after snow removal, especially in areas with high foot traffic. Salt prevents ice from bonding to surfaces (making it easier to clear) while salt provides traction, reducing the risk of slippage.
Snow Removal Cost by Method of Removal
The cost of snow removal methods varies from company to company. Some companies include services like salting, sanding, or snow hauling as part of their per-season or per-event snow removal package, while others treat them as additional services with separate charges. Terms are discussed upfront between the client and the snow removal company.
To avoid hidden charges or unexpected fees, make sure to ask the company you’re planning to hire what their snow removal services entail. Some companies charge a one-off cost for the season but add hidden charges for services like salting, sanding, or snow hauling which can catch businesses off guard.
Here are the general costs of snow removal by method per event. Note that many companies, including Tuck Home Services, define an event as a complete trip, from the driver’s departure to their return. A prolonged weather event, such as a multi-day storm with intermittent snowfall, can span multiple events.
- Snow Plowing: $48 to $120 per event
- Snow Blowing: $40 to $100 per event
- Shoveling: $12 to $60 per event
- Snow Hauling: $100 to $500 per event
- Salt and Sand Application: $30 to $70 per application
The cost of commercial snow removal services varies from company to company. Generally, snow removal companies base their pricing on the contact type (per season, per hour, per event, etc.), as well as factors like the size of the property, the amount of snow that needs clearing, and the difficulty of plowing.
Tuck Home Services uses a seasonal pricing model, with costs ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 for large properties. We offer a custom seasonal price for every customer, so make sure to contact us if you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective snow removal service!