Key takeaways:
Learn proven strategies to confidently bid snow removal jobs, stand out from competitors, and ensure profitable contracts for your business.
- Choose the right projects for your business. Focus on residential, commercial, or municipal jobs based on your equipment and capacity, and seek work through government sites, local networking, and contractor platforms.
- Monitor local snowfall trends before bidding. Use weather data and patterns to accurately predict workload and avoid overcommitting or underpricing.
- Use a sustainable pricing model. Understand pricing options like per push, per event, per inch, hourly, seasonal, and multi-season. Match them to client needs and your business resources for optimal profitability.
- Conduct thorough site inspections. Assess each property’s unique challenges, measure workloads, document potential hazards, and tailor your proposal for residential or commercial clients.
- Calculate all costs and include overhead and markup. Accurately price equipment, materials, labor, and business overhead, then apply your desired profit margin to get a competitive, sustainable bid.
- Create a professional proposal. Include your services, pricing, and optional add-ons. Highlight your insurance coverage and make payment terms transparent to build trust and win more work.
- Follow up with clients after sending your bid. Engage prospects with timely communication to address questions, negotiate if needed, and increase your chances of closing deals.
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Originally published in October 2024. Last updated on October 1st, 2025.
Knowing how to bid snow removal jobs helps you win new contracts and keeps your cash flow steady through unpredictable winters. A professional bid shows clients you understand their needs, builds trust, and ensures your pricing is both competitive and sustainable.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to bid snow removal jobs, price your services, find the right projects, and present professional bids to stand out from the competition.
Here’s how to bid on snow removal:
1. Pick the right snow removal projects
Before you waste time submitting bids for every opportunity that comes your way, understand the types of properties you want to work on.
- Residential jobs, like driveways and sidewalks, are smaller and can be a good fit for beginners with limited equipment. These jobs often require quicker turnaround times since homeowners want clear access right after a snowfall.
- Commercial properties, such as office buildings and shopping centers, are larger and require more time and equipment. Clients may need snow removed overnight to ensure the area is clear for business hours.
- Municipal contracts, like clearing snow from streets and public spaces, are often lucrative but demanding. As a new business owner, municipal jobs may be out of reach until you have more specialized equipment like large plows or salt spreaders.
Where to find snow removal jobs
Here are several resources to help you find opportunities:
- Search the federal government’s official contracting website, SAM.gov. It’s an excellent resource for finding snow removal contracts related to federal buildings, military bases, and other government facilities.
- Visit the websites of city and county governments, which may post snow removal opportunities. For example, you might find opportunities on sites like NYC OpenData for New York.
- Network with property management companies, which often seek snow removal services for their commercial properties.
- Check your local Chambers of Commerce to see upcoming projects in the area.
- Create a business profile on lead generation sites, such as Angi, HomeAdvisor, or Thumbtack, to connect with homeowners and commercial businesses.
- Browse bidding directories, like BidContract, for snow removal bids from local, state, and federal governments.
2. Monitor and predict snowfall
When you’re getting ready to bid on snow removal, consider seasonal demand and trends for your region. Snowfall can vary significantly from year to year, so it’s helpful to research historical weather patterns in your area.
How do you keep your bids realistic instead of relying on guesswork?
To start, use weather apps like Weather Underground, which are great for snow plowing businesses looking for reliable weather forecasts.
Some winters might have frequent, smaller snowfalls. Others may have fewer but heavier storms. When you’re bidding snow removal contracts, knowing the trends helps you anticipate your workload.
- Look at historical snowfall data. Your town’s public works department or even local news archives can be goldmines.
- Watch for outlier events—like a storm that dumps two feet of snow in October—but don’t let those distort your average.
- Pay attention to timing. Overnight storms can mean early-morning rush jobs, while midday storms may stretch your crew thin.
The goal isn’t to become a meteorologist, but to spot patterns that affect:
- How many jobs you can take on
- How to structure your pricing
This is where your “what-if” planning pays off. If you’ve got one truck and a dozen lots, that might work fine for a mild winter. But if your town gets snow on three straight weekends, you’ll burn out or disappoint your clients. Neither of those scenarios leads to repeat business.
READ MORE: Top 10 Snow Removal Apps to Master Winter
3. Know the snow removal pricing models
Before bidding on snow removal, you need to understand the different pricing models. The way you structure a contract can make or break your profitability and shape how competitive your quote looks.The most common types of snow removal contracts are:
Per push
Your client pays you every time you clear (push) snow, usually based on the size of the area or how much snow falls. If it snows three times in a week and you clear the snow each time, you get paid three times. This can be ideal if you’re servicing a region known for unpredictable snowfall, but your income can vary. The average cost per push is $30–$70.
Per event
Your client pays you for each snowfall event, which might be for a random storm or snowfall amount. This gives you flexibility, but there’s unpredictability with timing and pay. If you clear snow several times during a large storm, you’re still only paid once for that event. The average cost per event ranges from $30 to $100.
Per inch
You bill the client based on the amount of snow accumulated. Contracts usually break it down by tiers, like $60–$100 for the first 1–6 inches, and then an additional $3–$10 per inch thereafter. Clients see exactly what they’re paying for, and you protect your profit margins when heavy storms roll in. This model is especially useful in areas where snowfall accumulation varies wildly from storm to storm.
Hourly
You charge the client for the actual time you spend clearing snow. This can include different rates depending on the equipment, like $100/hour for a plow truck or $50/hour for a shovel crew. Hourly billing makes sense for jobs where the scope is hard to predict, like properties with tricky layouts or clients who want additional services.
Seasonal
You and the client agree to a flat rate for the entire snow season. This type of contract gives you consistent revenue. But if the season has more snow than expected, you could end up working more without additional pay. The average cost for seasonal snow removal contracts ranges from $200 to $600.
Multi-season
You and the client agree to a contract that covers two or three years at a set rate. This type of pricing can be a game-changer for clients who want to secure your services for the long term. You secure guaranteed work in the pipeline, and your client doesn’t need to worry about finding a service every winter.
Choosing a pricing model
The type of contract you choose should depend on what best suits your equipment and resources. For instance, if you’re just starting out and only have some basic equipment, residential per-push contracts might be a good fit.
On the other hand, if you’re plowing commercial properties for the entire winter season, a seasonal contract may be best.
Also, consider that some clients will need service all winter long, while others may only require help during big storms.
Residential clients may want their driveways and sidewalks cleared immediately after a storm. Commercial clients, on the other hand, often need parking lots and walkways cleared overnight so they’re ready for business hours in the morning.
| Pricing model | Pros | Cons | Best client fit |
| Per push | Straightforward, pays per job, easy to track | Income depends on snowfall—no storms = no pay | Residential driveways, small commercial lots |
| Per event | Simple for clients, predictable billing | Can be unprofitable in long/messy storms | Areas with moderate, steady snowfall |
| Per inch | Transparent for clients, protects margins in big storms | Can be harder to track/verify snow depth | Areas with highly variable snowfall |
| Hourly | Flexible, covers unpredictable jobs | Can cause sticker shock if storms drag on | Complex sites, clients who prefer time-tracked billing |
| Seasonal | Reliable income stream, easy budgeting | Risk of overwork in heavy winters | Commercial properties needing consistent service |
| Multi-season | Secures long-term revenue, builds loyalty | Must plan for inflation and variable winters | Repeat clients, growing businesses looking for stability |
4. Conduct site inspections
Walking the property before you commit to a bid will separate guesswork from a solid proposal. A thorough inspection helps you figure out how long a job will really take, what equipment you’ll need, and what hazards could slow you down.
Site visits will look different, of course, depending on whether you’re prepping for a single-family home or a large commercial lot.
Residential inspections
When you’re pricing residential jobs, you’re clearing snow so homeowners and families can get to where they need to go. Here’s what to look for:
- Driveways and walkways: Map every area that will need to be cleared so you don’t underestimate labor.
- Landscaping features: Flower beds, shrubs, and stones can be hidden under snow. You don’t want your plow blade to find them first.
- Tight spaces: Paths, stairs, and patios often require shovels or snowblowers. You won’t price the job like it’s all truck work.
- Obstructions: Fences, mailboxes, and parked cars might complicate your approach to clearing snow.
- Accessibility needs: If residents are elderly or have mobility challenges, entrance areas are critical.
- Documentation: Take pictures of the property and note any risks. Reference them when building your proposal.
Commercial inspections
Commercial properties raise the stakes. Dozens of people expect the lot to be clear before opening hours. If you’re wondering how to bid commercial snow removal in the most thorough way, the inspection is where you’ll find what really drives the cost.
- High-traffic zones: Parking lots, loading docks, and main entrances all need priority service. They can’t wait until noon to be cleared.
- Utility structures: Fire hydrants, light poles, and signs are easy to hit when they’re covered in snow. Mark them before the plows roll in.
- Snow piling zones: Decide where you’ll pile up the snow so it doesn’t block roads, sidewalks, or emergency exits.
- Surface area and plow routes: Larger properties need efficient plow paths and staging areas for equipment.
- Property rules: Some businesses want their lots cleared overnight, while others have after-hours restrictions.
5. Price your equipment and materials
Whether you charge per push, per event, or seasonally, the first step in pricing your snow removal service is to list all the equipment and materials you’ll need for the job. This includes snow plows, salt spreaders, shovels, and de-icing materials like salt or sand.
Include the costs of renting equipment, such as larger plows or snow blowers.
To price your materials accurately, reach out to your vendors or local suppliers and get pricing for things like de-icing salt, fuel, and even spare parts for your equipment.
By calculating the costs of all the necessary materials and rentals before bidding on snow removal jobs, you’ll have a better understanding of your expenses. You’ll know that your bid covers the cost of the job without undercutting your profits.
READ MORE: Professional snow removal equipment: 10 tools you need
6. Estimate your labor costs
The next step for pricing your service is to determine what you’ll charge your client for labor.
Once you know what the plowing area is, use the square footage to estimate how long the job will take.
Then you can use this pricing formula to calculate the total labor cost:
Hourly rate x number of workers x number of hours
For example, assume that plowing a parking lot will take two hours and involves two snow removal contractors who each earn $30 per hour.
Your formula will look like this:
$30 per hour x 2 workers x 2 hours = $120 (total labor cost)
READ MORE: How much to charge for snow removal
7. Add your overhead and markup
Overhead costs are the operating expenses required to run your business, and they’ll include:
- Employee wages
- Equipment, such as salters, plows, and snow blowers
- Gas and vehicle maintenance
- Insurance
- Business software
- Advertising costs
To calculate your overhead rate, add up all your overhead costs for a given month. Then divide your monthly overhead amount by your total sales for the same month. Multiply it by 100 to get a percentage.
For example, if your monthly overhead costs are $1,200 and your total sales are $10,000, here’s how you determine your overhead rate:
($1,200 ÷ $10,000) x 100 = 12% overhead rate
With a 12% overhead rate, you take:
$120 (labor) x 12% = $14.40 overhead
Markup is the additional amount you charge after covering your costs so you can profit from your services. The percentage of revenue that you take home after applying a markup is your profit margin.
Here’s how markup should factor into your snow removal pricing:
Labor + materials + overhead + markup = total price for the job
For example, assume your labor, equipment, and overhead costs total $148. And maybe you’d like a 25% profit margin. This means the cost of a job should make up 75% of the total price.
You can use this formula to calculate your total price:
Total price = Cost ÷ (1 – profit margin)
This is what the price for the job would be:
$148 ÷ (1 – 0.25) = $197.33
8. Create a professional snow removal proposal
Once you have all the information you need, it’s time to put a proposal together. Here’s what your proposal should include:
Pricing
Include the price, the pricing structure, and when the client will be expected to pay. Offer a variety of online payment methods, such as ACH payments (bank transfers), e-transfer, and debit or credit cards.
Services
Outline exactly what services are included, like driveway plowing, sidewalk clearing, salting, sanding, or emergency services.
Be specific about what’s included to avoid any misunderstandings. For example, if you’re handling a commercial property, detail whether you’re responsible for all parking areas and walkways, and how often you’ll provide service after a snowfall.
Optional add-on services
Salting, sanding, and sidewalk clearing can be optional add-ons for your proposal that boost your profits.
When you bid on snow removal, the plow work might get your foot in the door. However, clients may also appreciate add-ons for the convenience of having a single provider handle everything. Frame these add-ons as value rather than upsells:
- Salting: A business with lots of foot traffic won’t want ice on their walkways. You can negotiate to include per-application pricing or a seasonal flat rate.
- Sanding: This is useful in regions with extreme cold where salt alone won’t cut it. Offer it to clients with steep slopes or high-traffic areas.
- Sidewalk clearing: Often overlooked until the first storm. Make it clear upfront that sidewalks require extra labor, and sometimes more equipment. Price accordingly.
Insurance and liability information
When bidding on snow removal contracts, you also need to include information about your insurance and liability coverage.
Snow removal can be risky, and there’s always the potential for accidents or property damage. Your bid should outline your snow removal insurance coverage, including general liability and workers’ compensation (both of which are legally mandated in most states), that protects you and your client.
READ MORE: What business insurance do I need?
Rather than doing all this manually—which leaves room for error and won’t look polished—you can use Jobber’s free proposal template. For commercial clients, especially, a professional proposal can be the difference between winning and losing the job.
Want more than just the template? Jobber’s advanced quoting software takes things to the next level with advanced quote customization. Impress potential clients by adding images, reviews, or other relevant attachments, such as a proposed schedule.
9. Follow up with the client
After submitting your bid, don’t forget to follow up. Sending a follow-up email can be the difference between landing and losing the job. It re-engages the client and helps you become top of mind again.
Use your follow-up email to address any questions or concerns the potential client may have. For example, a client might ask how you handle unexpected heavy snowfall. Or what measures you take to avoid damage to their property.
If the client is interested in moving forward, they might want to negotiate. This could involve adjusting your pricing or adding services. Be prepared to find a middle ground that works for both parties.
For example, if the client wants a lower price, you could negotiate by offering fewer services, like skipping salting or reducing the number of site visits.
Not sure what to say? Try this email template:
Email subject line: Your snow removal project
Hi [customer name],
Thanks again for making time to join us for your snow removal assessment. I just wanted to follow up on the quote we sent you a few days ago.
As a reminder, this quote is only valid until [date], so remember to approve it before then to guarantee this price.
We’re very excited to start this project with you. If you have any further questions, feel free to call me directly at [phone number]. I’d be happy to help!
Cheers,
[Name], [Title]
[Email] | [Phone number]
READ MORE: Quote Follow-Up Email Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
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The best way to present your snow removal bid is through an email. That way, it’s easy to follow up on. Attach a professional snow removal proposal that outlines the scope of services, pricing structure, and any service level agreements. Include details on insurance and liability coverage to build trust.
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Avoid underpricing, skipping site inspections, and failing to account for weather unpredictability. Not clarifying the scope of services or forgetting to factor in overhead costs can also hurt your chances of winning bids.
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Consider the size of the property and the area’s typical snowfall. Account for your team’s and equipment’s capacity. Factor extra time for potential delays, such as heavy snowfall or ice buildup.
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Winning jobs often comes down to more than just price. Your strategy and communication play a role.
• Offer competitive pricing without undercutting your profit margin.
• Tailor your bid to the client’s specific needs.
• Highlight your preparedness by communicating how you’ll handle different weather conditions.
• Follow up with clients after sending quotes to address any concerns. -
Start with a thorough site inspection of the property to assess large areas like parking lots, walkways, and loading zones. Estimate the time, equipment, and labor needed to clear and pile snow without blocking access. Factor in higher costs for specialized equipment and additional crew required for larger jobs. Offer pricing that covers multiple service visits per storm and any extra tasks like salting or sanding.
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Estimate the total amount of snow your service area typically receives, do an inspection to assess the property’s size and features, and then choose a fixed price that covers all snow events for the season. Factor in costs for equipment, labor, and your profit margin. Outline what services are included, such as plowing, shoveling, or salting.