Looking to start a snowplow business need help please!!

[deehram29]

Hello all,

I am looking to start a business in NW Chicago Burbs, I live in a subdivision that is in need of a new contractor so I am going to fill the position, I sit on the board for the association and all I have to do is submit my charges and I am ready. First of all I would like help from you to see what I have to do prior to getting started, how do I start the busineess, how do I write the proposal or what is the best way (by hour, year, etc), how do I list the name meaning get a business license etc, what licenses do I need, what insurance must I have, what else am I missing? Please give me as detialed a list as possible. I am pretty unknowing on how to do this. Thanks much. deehram29@yahoo.com

[JCurtis]

Have you ever plowed snow before?

If so, how long?

Do you work another job?

Can you be accessible 24/ 7? Do you have the ability to apply deicing material ?


What kind of truck and equipment do you have already? or do you need to buy equipment?


there are alot of ways to start a business, but if you plan on doing this legit... you need to discuss this with an attorney, an accountant, etc.


If you are serious and not out looking to make a few bucks on the side or under the table, ythen may I suggest you join SIMA
www.sima.org

There is alot of information to be garnered from joining SIMA

[deehram29]

Yes I have plowed before, I have done it on the side the last couple winters. I have a western plow on my Bronco. I am looking to do this legit, and yes I do have a full time job but my I work at my lesure and can come/go as I please. So please help me get started. Thanks

[Mick]

This is something I wrote up in response to some others who had asked about starting a plowing business. You ask to be specific, but that is almost impossible in this forum as specifics will depend a lot on your locality. The best way would be to start with the general themes, as Jeff said, look over this list, then work up a Business Plan and contact the Small Business Administration. For insurance, you will need both Commercial Vehicle and General Liability insurance. (To those who know what I mean; I deleted references to threads on "another site" that I had originally included.)


Things to consider in starting a snowplowing business (besides pricing).

1. Do I have the time to commit to plowing? If you are unavailable during particular times of the day or periods of time, you’ll be severely limited in the types of accounts you can take on.

2. What equipment do I have now? What will I purchase/lease before beginning to plow? If you only have a pickup and plow, you won’t want to go after accounts that need salting. If you have a ¾ ton pickup with an 8’ blade and a tailgate spreader, you won’t go after a 50 acre mall.

3. What is my market area? The closer together the accounts and closer to your business office (likely your home), the better.

4. What type of accounts will I pursue? Residential? Commercial? Industrial? Each will affect several things including type of insurance and equipment needed.

5. Do I have the expertise and equipment for this type of account? (obviously you’re asking this when you look over a proposed job).

6. For any particular job, you will need to consider - How am I going to approach this job, where am I going to push/stack the snow and will there be enough room for future pushes? What is going to be affected by where I plan to pile snow? Will I need to have snow removed from the site? You need to have the equipment for snow removal or arrange for it.

7. A big consideration: How am I going to handle the inevitable equipment failure? Do you have friends you can call on to fill in for you? Do you have backup equipment? How about if you’re sick and can’t get out? This is a real problem - even people using brand new equipment can tell you stories of how their $35,000 brand new truck bit the dust and spent the next week in the shop. In the meantime, they missed out on thousands of dollars because they didn’t have a backup truck.

8. Do I have the required insurance for the type of accounts I’m pursuing?

This is just a partial list. I’m sure others can chime in, also. Notice I have not even mentioned looking at how much to charge. Another good resource would be to develop a Business Plan. For an example of that, visit the Small Business Administration web site.

[Pelican]

You will also need some method of salting, either by purchasing a small unit to fit your trailer hitch or by subbing it out. You say an association is involved, so I'm going to assume it's a privately owned common road you are talking about. You should be aware of the liabilities you will be responsible for as the snow removal contractor. An attorney can advise you of your local regulations. In addition to your auto insurance, you will need general business liability set up for snow plowing. You better be sitting down when you get your quotes.

The other questions you ask will depend on how your local government is set up. Here there are no licensing requirements, and our County Clerk handles business registrations.

You mentioned you sit on the Board of the Association. This raises a flag to me, you need to check into the legalities of whether or not you can work for the Association as a Board member. I would think this would represent a conflict of interest, and might possibly be prohibited.