Snow Removal Price Guide 2025: How To Set Your Rates

Setting the right snow removal rates is key to staying profitable during the busiest months of the year. Prices can change significantly depending on snowfall, equipment, and urgency. Knowing how these factors affect your bottom line will help you quote jobs that are both fair to customers and profitable for your business.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to price your services, from average snow removal rates and simple formulas, examples, and expert tips.

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Average price for snow removal in 2025

Most snow removal pros charge $30–$75 per visit in the United States.* Prices vary based on snowfall depth, driveway size, storm severity, and whether the customer has a one-time service or a seasonal contract. Snow type also matters—wet, heavy snow takes significantly longer to clear than dry powder, and icy driveways often require extra equipment or de-icing materials.

Before setting your rates, compare what other snow removal companies typically charge to get a sense of what’s considered competitive in your area. We’ll go over average rates in this guide.

*All pricing ranges are sourced from 2025 pricing data from Home Guide, Thumbtack, and Fixr.

Snow removal price list

Here’s a quick breakdown of prices for common snow removal services such as driveway clearing, roof clearing, and ice dam removal. Ranges vary based on snowfall, property size, equipment, and how quickly the work needs to be done.

Service category	Price range
Driveway snow removal	$30–$75 per visit
Walkway/sidewalk clearing	$10–$30
Roof snow clearing	$200–$500
Ice dam removal	$400–$1,000
Salting/de-icing	$20–$60
Seasonal snow removal	$350–$600

Rates for snow plowing vs. snow removal

Snow plowing and snow removal sound similar, but they have very different labor demands, equipment requirements, and pricing structures. Plowing involves pushing snow aside on-site, while removal involves hauling snow off-site or relocating large piles—dramatically increasing operating costs. Understanding the difference will help you quote these services accurately.

Here’s how plowing compares to full snow removal:

Service type	What it includes	Typical pricing
Snow plowing	Pushing snow into piles or to designated on-site areas	Residential: $30–$75 per visit Commercial: $75–$200 per push
Snow removal	Loading snow into trucks and hauling it off-site	$100–$600 per visit, depending on volume and hauling distance
Snow stacking	Relocating large piles with loaders or skid steers	$100–$200 per hour (equipment-based hourly rate)

Commercial vs. residential snow removal pricing

Whereas residential snow removal is typically priced at $40–$100 per hour, commercial snow removal ranges from $50-$200 per hour. This is because commercial jobs involve larger areas, heavier equipment, stricter safety requirements, and tighter service windows that demand higher labor and operational costs. Commercial jobs also often require multiple visits during the same storm to keep walkways, lots, and entrances safe.

Here’s a closer look at how pricing breaks down for each category.

Residential snow removal

Residential jobs are smaller, faster, and typically billed per visit. Prices depend on driveway size, walkway clearing, and snow depth.

Here’s what residential pricing usually looks like:

Residential service	Typical pricing
Driveway clearing	$30–$75 per visit
Walkway/sidewalk clearing	$10–$30
Salting / de-icing	$20–$60
Seasonal contracts	$350–$600 per season

Commercial snow removal

Commercial pricing is often set by contract (per push, per event, or seasonal). Services often include:

• Guaranteed response times
• Documented service logs for slip-and-fall protection
• Plowing + salting bundles
• Multiple passes during a single storm

Here’s a look at average pricing for commercial snow removal jobs:

Commercial service	Typical pricing
Small–mid lot plowing (per push)	$75–$200+
Large commercial lot (per event)	$250–$750+
Loader/skid steer hourly rate	$100–$200/hr
Salt application	$50–$150 per application
Seasonal commercial contract	$1,500–$10,000+ depending on lot size

Pro tip: Create separate price-book categories in Housecall Pro for residential vs. commercial rates. This keeps your estimates consistent even when team members work different routes.

Snow removal pricing models

The pricing model you choose affects how predictable your income is and how easy it is for customers to understand your rates. Most snow removal pros use one model for straightforward driveways and switch models when storms get more intense or need multiple passes.

Pricing model	Average cost
Per hour	$40–$100
Per inch	$3–$10 per inch
Per visit	$30–$75
Per push	$75–$200+
Per event	$150–$750+ (commercial)
Per season	$350–$600 (residential)

Hourly snow removal rates

Most pros charge $40–$100 per hour, depending on storm severity and equipment type.

Hourly pricing works well for:

• Deep accumulation (12+ inches) or compacted snow
• Multi-pass storm events or heavy drifting
• Steep or hard-to-access driveways
• Commercial lots
• Emergency overnight service

Per-visit flat rates

Flat-rate pricing provides one clear cost per visit, typically covering snow up to 6 inches. It’s the most customer-friendly model and the easiest to standardize across your route.

Flat rates work well for:

• Predictable snowfall regions
• Standard-size driveways with minimal variation
• Routes where you can complete multiple stops efficiently

Snow removal pricing per inch

Deeper snow means more time, more wear on your equipment, and more passes to get the job done right. To account for the extra effort, many snow removal pros use tiered depth ranges when setting their prices.

Typical snow removal rates range from $3–$10 per inch, depending on driveway size, equipment used, and local demand. This model is especially common in regions where winter snowfall varies significantly from storm to storm.

Per-inch pricing works well for:

• Unpredictable winter climates
• Customers who want storm-based pricing
• Properties that scale easily with depth

The chart below outlines typical price increases based on snow depth.

Snow depth	Typical price range	Notes
1–3 inches	Base rate	Quick clearing; usually one pass
4–6 inches	+10%–20%	Additional labor and equipment wear
7–12 inches	+20%–40%	Multiple passes; slower movement
12+ inches	+40%–75% or hourly	Heavy accumulation; often switch to hourly pricing
Deep drifts or packed snow	+25%–50%	Wind-blown areas require extra time and scraping

Per-push vs. per-event pricing

Some storms require multiple passes to keep driveways accessible. Per-push pricing means charging for each visit during a storm, while per-event pricing involves charging one fee regardless of how many visits are required to manage that storm.

Per-event is simpler, but per-push often protects your time better during long or intense snowfalls.

Common use cases:

• Per-push for long storms or heavy drifts
• Per-event for predictable snow regions
• Hybrid setups for seasonal clients

Pro tip: Turn on automated “On My Way” texts in Housecall Pro during multi-pass storms to keep customers informed without slowing down your route.

Hybrid pricing

Most snow removal businesses combine pricing models to stay profitable across different job types. Hybrid setups allow you to charge based on storm severity while keeping rates easy to explain.

Common hybrid structures include: 

• Flat rate for small residential driveways
• Per-inch pricing when storms exceed base depth
• Hourly pricing for heavy or icy conditions
• Per-push billing during prolonged storms

Pro tip: Store all pricing rules inside Housecall Pro’s Price Book so every estimate uses the same structure, even when team members are working separate routes.

Snow removal pricing formula

Snow removal jobs can change quickly depending on depth, ice, and drifting, so having a clear calculation makes it easier to quote jobs accurately.

Use this formula to calculate your snow removal price:

(Labor × Hourly Rate) + Overhead + Equipment Cost + Profit Margin = Snow Removal Price

This formula accounts for the factors that most affect winter work: fuel consumption, equipment wear, storm severity, and travel time between stops.

Example: Average residential driveway

Here’s how you’d calculate pricing to remove snow from a standard driveway.

• Labor time: 0.5 hours
• Hourly rate: $75 (typical snow removal labor cost during storm conditions)
• Overhead: $8 (fuel, insurance, vehicle warmup, winter wear)
• Equipment cost: $5 (plow/blower depreciation, shear pins, scraper bars)
• Profit margin: $12

Formula:
(0.5 × 75) + 8 + 5 + 12 = $62.50

Final price: $60–$65 per visit

Pro tip: Track job times inside Housecall Pro’s mobile app during storms. Over a few weeks, you’ll see how long different depths, driveways, and equipment types actually take—letting you tighten your estimates and build more accurate winter pricing

Example: Deep-snow driveway (8–10 inches)

This scenario reflects a heavier storm that slows clearing speed and may require multiple passes.

• Labor time: 60 minutes → 1 hour
• Hourly rate: $85
• Overhead: $10
• Equipment cost: $7 (increased wear from deep, wet snow)
• Profit margin: $18

Formula:
(1 × 85) + 10 + 7 + 18 = $120

Final price: around $120, depending on walkway clearing or salting.

Example: Walkway + salting add-on

Salting is a simple upsell that increases safety and raises your per-visit revenue. Here’s how that adds up for a quick walkway job:

• Labor time: 20 minutes → 0.33 hours
• Hourly rate: $70
• Overhead: $4
• Material cost: $3 (salt or ice-melt)
• Profit margin: $8

Formula:
(0.33 × 70) + 4 + 3 + 8 = $38

Final price: $35–$40

When to adjust your formula

Winter conditions can change quickly. To account for variables, there are several situations when you should increase your snow removal rates or switch pricing models:

• Deep or wet snow: Heavy, moisture-packed snow slows clearing and strains equipment. Jobs over 6 inches often require a 10%–40% increase.
• Ice accumulation: Ice requires scraping, salting, or de-icing materials—all of which add time and cost.
• Multiple passes during a single storm: Long storms may require two or three rounds of clearing. These are typically billed per push or hourly.
• Steep, long, or curved driveways: Challenging terrain increases risk and slows the pace of both plows and blowers.
• High drifting or packed snow: Wind-blown drifts add significant labor time and may require equipment changes.
• Emergency service or early-morning visits: Off-hours work often includes surcharges to account for availability and safety.
• Extreme cold or fuel spikes: Fuel consumption is higher in very low temperatures, especially during prolonged storms.

Pro tip: Use Housecall Pro’s job notes to track special conditions—like deep snow, drifting, or ice buildup—so you can reference past storms and refine your surcharge structure for future estimates.

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Factors that affect snow removal prices

Every snow removal job comes with conditions that can change how long the work takes, how much fuel you use, and how hard your equipment has to work. Consider the following factors when setting your pricing:

• Snow depth: More inches mean more passes, slower clearing speed, and greater strain on equipment. Anything over 6 inches usually requires higher tiers or per-inch pricing.
• Driveway size: Larger areas increase labor time and fuel consumption. Each size tier should raise your base price.
• Snow type and weight: Wet, heavy snow takes longer to move than light powder. Packed or drifted snow may require additional scraping.
• Ice accumulation: Ice adds scraping time and may require salting or de-icing materials, increasing both labor and material costs.
• Slope and terrain: Steep or uneven driveways, slow plows and blowers,and require safer clearing angles.
• Walkways, stairs, and entryways: Narrow or elevated areas require manual work and add significant time to each visit.
• Storm timing: Early morning, overnight, or emergency visits often include surcharges because of limited labor availability.
• Travel time and route density: Storm conditions slow travel between jobs. Properties outside your core zone should include a travel fee.
• Equipment wear and fuel costs: Winter work accelerates wear on belts, blades, scraper bars, and engines. Fuel use also spikes in colder temperatures.

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How to set snow removal prices in 2025

To run a profitable snow removable business, you need to know your true operating costs and set rates that protect your time, equipment, and margins—even during unpredictable storms. Winter work puts extra strain on fuel, machinery, and your schedule, so your pricing needs to account for those challenges.

Follow these steps to create consistent, sustainable rates all season long.

Step 1: Calculate winter overhead

Winter has higher overhead costs than warm-season work. Fuel consumption rises in cold weather, equipment needs more maintenance, and insurance premiums often spike due to slip-and-fall risks. Factor in these costs when setting pricing:

• Fuel and vehicle warm-up time
• Equipment storage or shop space
• Winter insurance and liability coverage
• Software and admin tools
• Accounting and communication costs

To calculate your hourly overhead:

1. Add up your total monthly winter overhead.
2. Divide by your billable winter hours.
3. Add the result to your pricing formula. 

Step 2: Add labor

Labor costs in winter go beyond hourly pay. Snow removal work often involves overtime, hazard pay, slippery conditions, and scheduling within limited windows. Including these factors in your rates ensures you don’t end up losing money on tricky jobs.

Labor burden often includes:

• Payroll taxes
• Workers’ comp (higher risk in snow/ice conditions)
• PPE and safety gear
• Overtime for early-morning storm work
• Onboarding and training for winter procedures

These costs typically add 20%–40% to your base labor cost.

If you’re a solo operator, you still need to account for your own time, equipment wear, and increased effort during tough storms, but you won’t have payroll or workers’ comp for a team. Factor in the physical strain, possible downtime, and any hired help for peak events to make sure your rates cover all personal labor costs.

Step 3: Set minimum profit margins

Your profit margin is what’s left after covering labor, overhead, and equipment wear. Since winter work is riskier, more unpredictable, and harder on machinery, you should use higher margins than in warm seasons.

Here are healthy profit margin ranges for snow removal:

• 15%–25% in competitive markets
• 25%–40% in high-demand, heavy-snow regions

→ Try our profit margin calculator to find your target rate quickly.

Step 4: Build recurring seasonal packages

Seasonal contracts create predictable revenue and reduce last-minute emergency calls. Customers appreciate not having to request service during every storm, and pros benefit from locking in income ahead of time.

Popular winter packages include:

• Unlimited clearing for the full season
• Tiered “X storms per winter” plans
• Driveway + walkway bundles
• Driveway + salting bundles
• Premium options that include proactive return visits

Seasonal clients often provide the most stable winter income.

Step 5: Standardize your pricing

Consistent pricing helps build trust with customers and makes it easier for you—or any team member—to create accurate estimates. It also protects your margins during busy winter weeks when decisions have to be made quickly.

Standardization can include:

• Snow-depth tier pricing
• Flat-rate categories for driveway size
• Predictable surcharges for ice, drifts, steps, or steep slopes
• Consistent hourly rates for heavy accumulation
• A clear formula for estimating any winter job

Step 6: Review your winter pricing every year

Fuel, equipment parts, and labor all rise year over year. Review your pricing annually to make sure it still reflects your operating costs and drives profitable jobs.

Most snow removal businesses adjust rates by:

• 5%–10% for returning customers
• More for problem-driveways or repeated icing
• Additional adjustments during extreme fuel increases

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Snow removal pricing best practices

Snow removal work changes fast during winter storms, so your pricing system needs to be consistent, profitable, and easy to apply. Let’s recap some best practices to help you avoid common mistakes and keep your margins protected:

• Set your minimum winter rate so every job covers labor, overhead, fuel, and target margin.
• Use depth tiers (1–3 inches, 4–6 inches, 7–12 inches, 12+ inches) to price heavier storms correctly.
• Charge more for wet or packed snow, which slows equipment and increases fuel use.
• Account for ice conditions with clear charges for scraping and de-icing materials.
• Bill for multiple passes during long or high-volume storms.
• Raise prices for complex driveways that require extra maneuvering.
• Add travel fees outside your main route during bad road conditions.
• Standardize upsells like salting, walkway clearing, and roof clearing.
• Pre-sell seasonal packages for stable winter revenue.
• Group customers by route to save fuel and increase hourly earnings.
• Keep pricing simple and transparent to speed up approvals.
• Adjust rates yearly to match rising labor, fuel, and equipment costs.

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How to explain snow removal price increases to customers

Price increases are a normal part of keeping your business sustainable, especially when your work requires early morning starts, emergency calls, and multiple passes during big storms. Customers generally respond well to changes when you communicate clearly, early, and with confidence.

Here are some tips to keep the conversation professional:

• Give customers early notice: Let clients know about rate changes at least 30 days before the season starts.
• Explain why rates are increasing: Fuel, equipment parts, snowblower belts, scraper bars, insurance, and labor all rise over time. When customers understand the reason for price hikes, they’re less likely to push back.
• Highlight the value they receive: Reliability during storms, faster response times, improved equipment, safe de-icing, and consistent service are benefits worth emphasizing.
• Keep your message simple: State the old price, the new price, and when the change takes effect. Clear language leads to better retention and fewer questions.
• Offer loyalty perks when appropriate: Long-time customers may appreciate a small discount, priority scheduling, or inclusion in a seasonal plan at a preferred rate.
• Stay confident in your pricing: Winter work is demanding and high-risk. When you’re confident in your rates, customers feel confident staying with you.

Snow removal price increase letter template

Hi [Customer Name],

I’m reaching out to share a small update to our snow removal pricing for the upcoming winter season. Due to rising fuel, equipment, and labor costs, your rate will change from [old price] to [new price] starting on [date].

This adjustment helps us maintain safe, reliable, and timely service during snow and ice events—especially the early-morning and heavy-storm visits that require extra staff and equipment. All services included in your current plan will remain the same.

If you have any questions, I’m here to help.

Thank you for your continued trust and for choosing us to keep your property clear and safe this winter.

[Your Name]
[Business Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email or Website]

Learn more: How to Write a Price Increase Letter (Templates & Tips)

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How to build a snow removal price book in 2025

A well-organized price book ensures consistent, profitable rates and makes quoting quick and easy. Here’s how to build one that works for all storm types and property sizes.

List your core winter services

Start with the jobs you perform most often. This gives your price book a solid foundation and makes it easier to map out variations or add-ons later.

• Common core snow removal services include:
• driveway snow clearing
• walkway and sidewalk clearing
• salting and de-icing
• roof snow removal
• ice-dam mitigation
• per-push or per-event storm service
• seasonal contracts (unlimited or fixed visits)

Create pricing tiers

Winter work varies heavily with snow depth. Use tiered pricing to ensure your time, labor, and equipment is covered with every job.

Common snow-depth tiers include:

• 1–3 inches (base rate)
• 4–6 inches (+10%–20%)
• 7–12 inches (+20%–40%)
• 12+ inches (switch to hourly or per-push)

These tiers can be stored directly in your price book so every estimate stays consistent.

Standardize profitable upsells

Boost your winter profits by offering high-value upsells alongside standard snow removal. Common options include:

• salting and de-icing
• sand application
• walkway/stair clearing
• roof snow clearing
• ice-dam removal
•  return-pass storm service (per push)

Use your winter pricing formulas

Use standardized formulas to estimate every snow removal job. This keeps quotes consistent, even when storms hit suddenly.

Include formulas for:

• labor-based pricing
• per-inch pricing
• per-visit flat rates
• hourly pricing
• per-push vs. per-event pricing
• seasonal contract calculations

Add surcharges for special conditions

Some winter conditions increase risk and the time needed to complete a job. Build these surcharges into your pricing to account for the extra labor, equipment wear, and safety precautions:

• steep driveways
• long or narrow driveways
• heavy drifting
• ice accumulation
• emergency or after-hours service
• properties outside your core route radius

Example snow removal price book

This sample price book shows how to structure clear, consistent pricing for common winter scenarios, ranging from light snow to heavy accumulation. 

Scenario	Inputs	Labor-time formula	Final price
Standard driveway (4″ snowfall)	0.5 hr @ $75/hr labor, $8 overhead, $5 equipment, $12 profit	(0.5 × 75) + 8 + 5 + 12 = 62.5	$65
Deep snow driveway (10″)	1 hr @ $85/hr labor, $10 overhead, $7 equipment, $18 profit	(1 × 85) + 10 + 7 + 18 = 120	$120
Walkway + salting add-on	0.33 hr @ $70/hr labor, $4 overhead, $3 materials, $8 profit	(0.33 × 70) + 4 + 3 + 8 = 38.1	$38
Seasonal contract	$50 per visit × 10 estimated storms − $50 loyalty discount	N/A	$450

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Housecall Pro: Your snow removal pricing partner

Running a snow removal business means dealing with unpredictable storms, tight schedules, rising fuel costs, and equipment wear that can vary from job to job. Staying profitable requires a pricing system that can keep up—and that’s where Housecall Pro comes in. Our field service software helps winter contractors stay organized, efficient, and profitable even during the busiest storm weeks.

• Flat rate and tiered pricing: Never undercharge during a storm again. Housecall Pro’s Price Book lets snow removal pros set pre-defined rates for common jobs, build depth tiers, add surcharges, and standardize upsells like salting or walkway clearing.
• Seamless estimating and invoicing: Turn estimates into work orders with one tap and send professional invoices immediately after each job. Everything syncs with QuickBooks so your books stay accurate, even at peak season.
• Job profitability tracking: Track job times and profitability in real time so you can see which routes, storm types, and conditions are most profitable—and which need a pricing update.
• Recurring storm plans: Provide customers peace of mind and create consistent winter revenue with unlimited-visit plans, per-event contracts, or multi-storm bundles, all managed with automated scheduling, reminders, and billing.

Ready to see the difference? Try Housecall Pro free today and take the first step toward a more profitable, efficient, and scalable snow removal business.

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