Snow Removal

What It Is: Snow and ice removal involves clearing sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and rooftops to ensure safety and accessibility during winter. Services range from residential shoveling to commercial plowing and ice management.   Outlook: The U.S. maintenance services industry is projected to reach nearly $130 billion by 2030 (IBISWorld). Snow removal is a key seasonal niche, especially in northern states, and is increasingly important for aging homeowners and liability-conscious businesses. Many landscapers also offer snow removal in the off-season. The national median wage is about $20/hour (BLS.gov).   Startup Cost:

• Residential: $50–$1,000 (shovels, scrapers, snowblowers).
• Commercial: $5,000–$20,000+ (snowplows, 4WD vehicle with plow attachments).
• Specialty: $2,000–$10,000+ (roof/gutter clearing, ice melt systems, safety gear).
• Marketing: $50–$500 (flyers, local ads, simple website).

  Skills Needed:

• Physical stamina and tolerance for outdoor winter work.
• Knowledge of de-icing products and safety best practices.
• Equipment operation and maintenance.
• Reliability (clients depend on timely service during storms).
• Customer service and scheduling skills.
• Familiarity with local climate and storm patterns.

  How to Start:

• Start small with residential driveways and sidewalks using shovels or snowblowers.
• Decide your focus: residential, commercial, or specialty (ice dams, rooftops).
• Register your business and obtain liability insurance (important for slip-and-fall risks).
• Advertise locally—flyers, Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and word of mouth.
• Offer seasonal packages (per-storm, monthly, or full winter contracts).
• Network with HOAs, realtors, and contractors for repeat business.
• Scale gradually by upgrading to plows and hiring staff as contracts grow.

Niche Breakdown:

• Residential Snow Removal – driveways, sidewalks, porches. Ideal for starting out with shovels, snowblowers, or small crews.
• Commercial Lots & Strip Malls – contracted jobs to keep customer access open; often steady seasonal work.
• Municipal & Government Contracts – small towns and local governments frequently outsource snow/ice services for streets and public buildings.
• High-Rise & Specialty Services – skyscrapers and large complexes may require specialized work like rooftop snow clearing or mitigation of falling ice hazards.
• Emergency & On-Call Services – homeowners and businesses will pay extra for late-night or same-day clearing after storms.
• Year-Round Bundles – snow removal in winter, lawn care/landscaping in warmer months, to keep income steady.

For more tips, see my most recent eBook, 35 Service Businesses from Home https://a.co/d/bHS7OcL creative commons license ^