Commercial lot plowing and salting

Shops, offices, restaurants, churches, medical practices and property managers who must keep sites safe and open.

Seasonal retainers or per-push pricing by lot size, with extra charges for salting, hauling snow and sidewalk work.

• Driving and operating a plow truck
• Selling and writing simple service contracts
• Reliability when storms hit at night

• Liability for slip-and-fall claims, so keep a log of visits and salting and ask your insurer what is covered
• Check your state and county for any de-icer or salt rules and business license needs
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire drivers or shovelers
• Low-snow winters can hurt income, so check whether contracts are flat-rate or per-storm
• Truck and plow costs and wear, plus damage claims to curbs and landscaping

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the truck and plow you buy or already own, a salt or de-icer spreader and insurance. Truck and plow wear can add to ongoing costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on snowfall, the number of contracts and whether they are flat-rate or per-storm. Low-snow winters can reduce income. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

Check slip-and-fall liability and what your insurer covers, keeping a log of visits and salting. Also check state and county de-icer or salt rules, business license needs, workers' compensation once you hire, and damage claims to curbs and landscaping.