Going rate for snow removal?

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

I think we've found a neighborhood kid to do our shoveling this year, after our usual guy had to drop out.  I don't know what is the going rate for snow removal ... I don't want to low-ball the kid, but have no idea what to offer him.  We had a sweet deal from the former guy who would charge a flat fee for a "regular" storm and then a premium if it was a doozy and he had to come back several times.  But I know we were getting a discount of sorts (his dad was a friend of the family, etc.)

Anyone contracted for snow removal yet this year?  Would appreciate any info you can share.

Comments

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

Are you just talking sidewalks, or sidewalks and driveway? Back when I used to shovel (um... strangely 10 years have passed since then), I did driveways for $20. So I would say $30 for driveway and sidewalk seems reasonable. And Maybe say you'll give him $50 if it's a doozy of a storm (6+ inches) and $75 if it's a blizzard and dumps 12+ inches?

[enveri.livejournal.com]

I know this is not entirely the same, and in a different state, but gives a ballpark idea; we paid $40 to have our driveway in Illinois ploughed. (This was back in February when Illinois got hit by that huge blizzard that then came and said hello to Boston. It was nice enough to follow me east, how... charming.)

[jimmyfergus.livejournal.com]

As of a few years ago our landlord was paying $80 per snowfall for our ~40ft drive and ~30ft sidewalk to be cleared. They were so awful that I told him to just give me the money and I'd clear it by hand.

I've heard of other neighbors paying more like $100 a clearance.

[somervilleguy.livejournal.com]

I found that there is no going rate. Too many variables to give you a ball park. If you do end up calling for a quote only call people that list residential service in their advertising, if they don't they almost certainly only plow commercial properties.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Can you post the names of any plow services you've heard good things about?

We pay a lot more than $100 for a service that takes almost a day to show up, and doesn't follow instructions.