Snow Removal Cost in Wisconsin

[Jason V.]

I am wondering what other investors pay a year for snow removal in Wisconsin. I have a three family unit in Waukesha with a driveway that goes behind the house and has parking for three. I have tried to get quotes from snow removal companies, but got few calls back. The one quote I did get was for $90.00, which seemed pretty high. I am doing it myself this year, but wanted to know what others are paying for next years budget. Thanks in advance.

[Marcus Auerbach]

The best time to hire a snow removal contractor is in the summer. Most landscapers keep their equipment and staff busy in the winter doing snow removal. There are two basic concepts how the work is contracted: all inclusive (a flat rate per season) or a rate per push (sometimes per inch of snowfall). The more sophisticated contractors will book a mix of both. If there is a lot of snow and the winter is long they tend to loose money with the all inclusive contracts. If there is very little snow they starve with the per day contracts. Usually they don't like to take on jobs after fall, because their schedules and crews are already set and most importantly they can't inspect the site for easy to damage obstacles. Be sure your contract includes also definitions of ice management - salt is a huge part of the expense - and provisions for special events, like blizzard or massive snow fall and liabilities (damaged cars, mail box, curbs, garage door etc). Typical rates I have seen for small MF type jobs with parking lot are around $500 per winter give or take.