Commercial parking lot snow clearing
Plough and salt small car parks and paths for shops, offices and condo buildings under seasonal contracts.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
Ploughing, shovelling and salting small commercial car parks, entrances and sidewalks, often overnight or before opening hours. Usually done with a pickup truck and plough, plus a salt spreader and hand crews for paths.
Your first three steps
- Measure and price a few small lots near you, and talk to property managers about when their current contracts come up
- Get quotes for commercial general liability and commercial auto insurance that covers plough work, and price a used truck and plough or a subcontract arrangement
- Prepare a simple written contract with trigger depth, response time and salting terms, and pitch it to local businesses in late summer or early fall
Who pays
Small businesses, strip plazas, medical and dental offices, condo and townhouse boards, and property managers.
How it makes money
Seasonal contracts with a fixed monthly or winter price, or per-push pricing with extra charges for salting and snow hauling. Repeat contracts give steadier income than one-off jobs.
Skills that help
- Driving and manoeuvring a plough truck
- Quoting and contract basics
- Dealing with property managers
- Being available at all hours in winter
Watch out for
- Liability for slip and fall claims is a major risk, so check your insurance and contract wording with a broker or lawyer
- Commercial auto insurance must cover plough use, check with your broker
- Check provincial rules on WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire help
- Some municipalities regulate salt use or snow dumping, check locally
- Equipment breakdowns in a storm can cost you contracts, so have a backup plan
- Income swings with snowfall, so check how your contracts handle low-snow winters
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: commercial parking lot snow clearing
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start commercial snow clearing?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around $8,000 to $40,000 CAD, depending on your truck, plough and spreader. Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on contracts and snowfall. Plan for at least around 15 hours a week.
What insurance and rules should I check for commercial snow clearing?
Slip and fall liability is a major risk, so check your insurance and contract wording with a broker or lawyer. Also check that commercial auto insurance covers plough use, provincial WCB or WSIB rules once you hire help, and local rules on salt use or snow dumping.
What skills do I need to clear commercial lots?
Skills include driving and manoeuvring a plough truck, quoting and contract basics, dealing with property managers, and being available at all hours in winter. Have a backup plan for equipment breakdowns in a storm, as they can cost you contracts.
Other ways to run this business
Similar home services ideas
Garden build and hardscape projects
Build patios, walkways, fences, sod lawns and planted beds as project work for homeowners.
- C$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Vacuum repair shop with a small storefront
Run a small shop that repairs, services and sells parts and refurbished vacuums to walk-in customers.
- C$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Supply-and-fit vinyl windows and doors
Quote, order and install vinyl windows and doors for homeowners and landlords under your own name.
- C$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Stucco and EIFS installation crew
Lead a small crew applying stucco and insulated finish systems to new builds, additions and re-clads.
- C$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Custom home cinema design and install
Plan and build dedicated media rooms for homeowners, from layout and acoustics to final calibration.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Small appliance repair shop
Open a small street-front shop where locals bring kettles, vacuums and other appliances to be fixed.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: pasja1000 on Pixabay