Most homeowners pay between $45 and $160 per visit for snow removal or $300 to $1,000 for a seasonal contract. Snow removal costs $10 to $25 per inch for the first 6 inches of snow, then $4 to $9 for each additional inch.
The cost of snow removal also depends on your location, the location of the snow, and the snow removal method. On the low end, a single salt application can cost as little as $20. On the high end, removing snow from a roof typically costs $190 to $735 but can be as much as $3,000.
Average Cost
| Typical Cost Per Seasonal Contract | $300 – $1,000 |
| Typical Cost Per Visit | $45 – $160 |
| Typical Cost Per Hour | $25 – $75 |
| Typical Cost Per Inch | $10 to $25 |
Instead of paying per visit, homeowners with snowy seasons save by signing season-long snow removal contracts.
Cost by Location
If you live in a large city with heavy snowfall, expect to pay a premium.
| U.S. Cities | Typical Cost Per Visit |
| New England | |
| Boston, MA | $50 – $300 |
| Hartford, CT | $100 – $150 |
| Portland, ME | $45 – $200 |
| Mid-Atlantic | |
| Baltimore, MD | $100 – $150 |
| Livingston, NJ | $100 – $200 |
| New York, NY | $60 – $200 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70 – $250 |
| Richmond, VA | $120 – $160 |
| Washington, DC | $70 – $135 |
| Midwest | |
| Chicago, IL | $60 – $225 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $45 – $130 |
| Omaha, NE | $50 – $100 |
| Toledo, OH | $60 – $80 |
| West | |
| Boise, ID | $30 – $80 |
| Denver, CO | $60 – $180 |
| Portland, OR | $60 – $200 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | $45 – $135 |
| South | |
| Canyon, TX | $70 – $100 |
| Nashville, TN | $25 – $200 |
| Raleigh, NC | $80 – $100 |
Cost by Seasonal Contract
| Average cost of a seasonal contract | $700 |
| Typical price range | $300 – $1,000 |
| Cheaper HOA Contract | $70 / household |
| Commercial Contract | $6,000 |
The cost of a contract depends on the type of contract:
- Residential contracts: The average cost of a seasonal snow removal contract is $700, with most homeowners paying between $300 and $1,000. Expect to pay more if you have a large yard with frequent, heavy snowfall. To manage a small space with light snow, contracts can cost as little as $200.
- Commercial contracts: Commercial snow removal is pricier than residential service. The average cost of removing snow from a 50-space parking lot is about $6,000.
- HOA contracts: Homeowners reap the best benefits when their HOA signs a contract to cover the whole neighborhood. These can cost as little as $70 per household.
Cost by Visit
| Average cost of a visit | $105 |
| Typical price range | $45 – $160 |
| Cheap visit | $25 |
| Expensive visit | $3,000 |
Most snow removal visits cost $45 to $160, but the cost of a visit highly dependents on the following:
Removal Method
| Removal Method | Typical Price Range |
| Snow plowing | $35 – $95 per hour |
| Snowblowing | $25 – $75 per hour |
| Snow shoveling | $25 – $75 per hour |
Snow removal prices depend the snow removal method:
- Snow plowing typically costs $35 to $95 per hour. It has the highest minimum charge and hourly rate. However, it’s the fastest method and, thus, often the most cost-effective approach.
- Snowblowing service costs most homeowners $25 to $75 per hour. It’s slower than plowing but much quicker than shoveling.
- Snow shoveling is slow and labor-intensive. Snow shoveling pros usually charge $25 to $75 per hour. Because it takes a long time to clear snow with a shovel, it’s often the most expensive method.
Location of the Snow
| Location of the Snow | Typical Price Range |
| Sidewalk | $25 – $75 per hour |
| Driveway | $30 – $70 per visit |
| Parking Lot | $45 – $155 per hour |
| Roof | $190 – $735 per visit |
The location of the snow has a huge impact on the cost of snow removal:
- Sidewalks: Some homeowners are responsible for clearing the snow off the sidewalk in front of their house. Removing sidewalk snow takes around 15 minutes, and pros charge $25 to $75 per hour. There’s usually at least a $25 minimum charge. The same is true for snowy walkways.
- Driveways: Snow plowing a driveway typically costs $30 to $70 per visit. Expect to pay more if your driveway is large, steeply slope, or in poor condition. Gravel driveways are also pricey, costing up to $200. If you want salt applied, expect to pay an extra $20 to $50.
- Parking lots: Most pros charge $45 to $155 per hour to snowplow parking lots, so those with larger lots typically pay a higher price. In addition to plowing, the service usually includes de-icing, salting, and sanding.
- Roofs: Removing snow from the roof is costly because it’s labor-intensive and dangerous. It normally costs $190 to $735 per visit. However, expect to pay $900 to $3,000 if your roof’s large, heavily soiled with snow, or steeply sloped.
Amount of Snow
| ≤ 6 inches of snow | $65 – $110 per visit |
| 7 – 12 inches of snow | $105 – $165 per visit |
| 13 – 18 inches of snow | $130 – $250 per visit |
More inches of snow means a higher snow removal cost. Expect to pay $10 to $25 per inch for the first six inches of snow and $4 to $9 for each additional inch.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
The cost of snow removal also depends on these factors:
- Hourly cost: Snow removal typically costs $25 to $75 per hour. The total cost of snow removal depends on the pro’s hourly rate and how long it takes to remove the snow.
- Minimum fee: Most pros charge a minimum amount for snow removal, typically $25 to $100.
- Obstacles: Properties with many obstacles take longer to clear, making snow removal more expensive.
- Emergency appointments: If you need someone in a jiff, expect to pay more.
- Heating elements: Installing a heat mat in a driveway typically costs $9 to $28 per square foot or $550 to $3,500 per project. Installing heating cables in your roof usually costs $500 to $1,500.
- Salt and sand applications: Expect to pay $20 to $50 extra to have salt or sand applied after the snow’s cleared.
DIY Cost vs. Hiring a Professional
| Typical cost of snow removal equipment | $325 – $3,500 |
| Typical cost of a snow removal contract | $300 – $1,000 |
It usually takes at least two seasons to save money with DIY snow removal. At a minimum, most homeowners need a snowblower (or snowplow attachment) and a snow shovel. Most snowblowers cost $305 to $1,800 and most snow shovels cost $20 to $115.
A snowblower handles more snow than a shovel, but shovels are best for digging out your car.
DIY Snow Removal Equipment Cost
| Equipment | Typical Price Range |
| Snow shovel | $20 – $115 |
| Aluminum roof rake | $30 – $120 |
| Heat mat | $50 – $500 |
| Snowblower | $305 – $1,800 |
| Snowplow attachment | $300 – $3,000 |
Operational Cost of Equipment
| Typical Price Range | |
| Gas Tools | |
| Pre-mixed 2-stroke fuel | $22 – $45 / gal. |
| 4-stroke fuel | $20 – $30 / gal. |
| Ethanol-free gas | $4.50 – $6 / gal. |
| Fuel additive | $6 – $20 / bottle |
| 5W-30 engine oil | $4 -$8 / quart |
| Spark plugs | $4 – $12 each |
| Air filters | $6 – $25 each |
| Carburetor cleaner | $4 – $12 / bottle |
| Electric Tools | |
| Lithium-ion batteries | $80 – $350 each |
| Electricity | $9.40 – $32.75 / kWh |
| Any Snowblower | |
| Shear pins | $1.50 – $3.50 each |
| WD-40 | $4 – $8 / bottle |
Snowblower operation by power source:
- Gas snowblowers need their spark plugs replaced annually or after 100 hours of use. Clean air filters regularly and replace them when worn. It’s also essential to keep the carburetor clean. Mixing gas with a fuel additive improves fuel efficiency and engine life.
- Four-stroke engines run on 4-stroke fuel or ethanol-free gas. They require annual oil changes; most snowblowers take 20 ounces to 2 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil.
- Two-stroke engines run on pre-mixed 2-stroke fuel or a self-made mixture of ethanol-free gasoline and engine oil. They don’t need oil changes. Two-cycle engines are less fuel efficient than 4-stroke engines, and their spark plugs wear out a little quicker.
- Corded electric snow throwers typically operate on 1,700 to 1,800 watts of electricity. Thus, one hour of use consumes 1.7 to 1.8 kWh.
- Cordless electric snowblowers typically run on one or more 20 to 80-volt lithium-ion batteries. The batteries need replacing every 2 to 5 years. Expect battery charging to consume .04 to .8 kWh of electricity.
DIY Salt Application Cost
| Salt spreader | $140 – $500 |
| Bag of salt | $10 – $30 |
| Pro salt application | $20 – $50 |
If you want to apply salt, expect to pay $140 to $500 for a salt spreader and $10 to $30 for a bag of salt. Most pros charge $20 to $50 for a single salt application.
DIY Snow Removal Safety
The most impactful DIY snow removal cost is the hazard to your health. Each year, there are around 11,500 snow-shoveling injuries, including falls and heart attacks. Another 5,000 or so seek treatment for snowblowing injuries. Most snow removal-related deaths are from heart attacks.
FAQ About the Cost of Snow Removal
Am I supposed to tip the snow removal pro?
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly appreciated. If you’re happy with the service, consider tipping. You can tip at the end of a visit, at the end of your contract, or give your pro a Christmas card stuffed with cash or a gift card.
Can I save money by packaging snow removal with lawn care?
Many lawn care pros offer snow removal services in the off-season. You may save on snow removal and lawn care costs by signing a year-round contract that includes both.
Do snow removal pros carry insurance?
Snow removal pros should carry insurance. If you hire an uninsured pro, you risk paying out of pocket for damages.
Snowplowing insurance covers the cost of accidental injury or property damage. If your pro isn’t insured and doesn’t fork over the cash for damages, you can sue. However, if he isn’t insured, he likely lacks the funds, making it impossible to collect.
Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold
Unchecked ice and snow commonly cause property damage and personal injury. DIY snow removal is dangerous, arduous, and pretty pricey. Hire an insured snow removal pro and you can stay safe and snug inside the comfort of your home while you watch them do all the work.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with pool care pros in your area.
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