I started a Snow Removal Business, need some help from anyone with experience in the salting bids

Kruser6 · Jul 30, 2009

Ok I have been plowing snow for 5 years and through that time I have picked up about 8 other jobs I go and do when I get done working for the other company. Long story short they spoke with some other people and now I have been approached to do a set of 3 apartment complexes and 2 big grocery stores. I have been wanting to do this for years and now I have enough business to open up my own.

The deal is the new accounts want the lots to have a layer down before the storm and then salt and sand after. I am not sure where to even start for figuring a bid for doing this.

The salt box which I was buying will be $5,000. After that I have no clue if the bids are figured by sq. ft or by product amount or by hours spent doing so. I know that my price is figured by using all 3 but how do I find out how I tell them how much I am going to charge them for a pre-ice application and a salt/sand spread afterwards?

I will have me and then 3 sub-contractors underneath me to start out.

Thanks in advance
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kidman232 · Jul 30, 2009

forget the salt business, buy more houses

Kruser6 · Jul 30, 2009

kidman232 said:
forget the salt business, buy more houses

It's not just salting but snow removal too. In order to get some of the bigger accounts I need to have this as part of my business.

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tatehill2000 · Jul 30, 2009

Bro, do yourself a favor and make a phone call to wisconsin (any city) people there are very nice, and if you call up a few DOZEN snow removal business they will probably throw you a bone.

especially if they can tell you are legit and DONT live in their home town.

you will probably have all the answers you need.

gl

tater

aceduecetrey · Jul 31, 2009

jgrif33 said:
why would anyone want to live where it snows?

I do not know where you live in Florida, but the southwest coast has become a absolute shit hole. I do not really like snow, but right now I would rather live in Alaska than stay in Southwest Florida.

aceduecetrey · Jul 31, 2009

As far as your question Indians, I would suggest the same, call up and pick a few peoples brain up in Wisc or Minne. Nice people up there still!

aceduecetrey · Jul 31, 2009

I live somewhat in the country part of Fort Myers,Actually North Fort Myers, but places like Lehigh and even Cape Coral are just big pieces of shit now! Businesses closing down everywhere, schools going broke, crime everywhere.......

Porcupine · Jul 31, 2009

I use to live in central Fla, but have really lost touch with what it going on.

As far as the bigger areas now, is (generally speaking) St. Pete nice and Tampa a dump?

ConansHammer · Jul 31, 2009

Calculate your bid using square footage. You have done small jobs in the past so its just a question of multiplication.

This new number that you have is then subjected to a profit add on of 25% and ........that is your bid.

Farm it all out on piecework and you are a snow removal magnate baby!!!