Around the Horn

Tweet at @lawnlandscape, visit us at our Linkedin page at linkd.in/lawnland or Facebook  at www.facebook.com/lawnandlandscape and give us your feedback!

Here’s this month’s question.
What is the advantage/disadvantage of providing snow removal services?

From Facebook:

The advantage of providing snow removal services to our firm is obviously it can be a big money maker. In the 2010-11 winter season, snow removal made up almost 25 percent of our sales. It is also very profitable with usually a net profit of around 20-30 percent or more.  We have learned to utilize more subcontractors, which improves our response time to the job site, which in return keeps the client happier.


The only two disadvantages to snow removal services are the wear and tear on your equipment, and if you’re a small firm, it means no warm beaches in the winter as you need to always be on call if it snows, 24/7. – Adam N. Linnemann, president, Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping
 

From Linkedin:

Providing a snow clearing and gritting service is a vital addition. From a business point of view, continuation of income is obviously a plus. More importantly, your exposure to your customer base continues for longer. In this ever demanding economy … the need for service diversity is a must. The advantage of a satisfied client over any other consideration, for me, negates the question of whether I should or not.

As for the disadvantages, speaking from experience, when we were caught out last November, I had been working for seven hours at one of my estates clearing paths and drives. It was very cold, and when I stopped in the dark, I did not have a change of clothes. The 12 minute journey home took nearly 6.5 hours and I was suffering from mild hypothermia. I have had plenty of experience driving in the snow, so that isn't a problem, although, for most other drivers, they really don›t have a clue. I already have my survival kit primed for this winter to keep me happy and to keep my customers happy. – Nick Barban, owner, Lawn & Border

Nick made a great point of putting yourself in front of your client for the winter season. If you don't provide those services, another service company can come in, do the snow removal, and perhaps take away your spring/summer services too. The big disadvantage of snow removal is being on call 24/7, missing holidays, family functions and other important events will happen. Make sure to cover yourself with multiple types of contracts, too, for the winter months. Don't forget that snow removal is weather dependent. By offering flat monthly rates, pre-payment and push service it will cover you in case of no snow or lots of snow. – Troy Tiedeman, owner, Tiedeman LLC

Twitter: Pros: $$. Cons: Brrr, Less Vacation, Brrrr, Too Much Infrastructure, Brrrrrrrrrrr, and Brrrrrrrrrrrr...I’d rather be on the beach! – @GlacierViewLand

Advantages = the profits. Disadvantages = extra resources needed to perform the work, collecting $, odd hours, risk of no snow! – @GoiLawn

The good – change of pace and routine, added income, more diverse client base. The bad – stale coffee, other drivers, fuel costs, ice. – @RJOster

 

 

Next month’s question:
What do you LOVE about being in the green/snow industries?

Email Associate Editor Brian Horn at bhorn@gie.net.