How to Start a Snow Removal Business with a Skid Steer

Equipment, pricing, customers, and everything you need to know

Quick Summary

Startup Cost: $40,000 - $80,000

Equipment: Skid steer + snow pusher/bucket

Season: November - April (4-6 months)

Hourly Rate: $100 - $200/hr

Per Push: $50 - $150 residential

Potential: $50K - $150K/season

Equipment You'll Need

The Skid Steer

For snow removal, you want a machine with good visibility, a heated cab, and enough power to push heavy snow. A medium-frame skid steer (2,000-2,600 lb ROC) is ideal for most residential and commercial work.

Recommended Models:

Budget: $25,000 - $45,000 used (2018-2022) | $55,000 - $75,000 new

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Snow Attachments

Snow Pusher (Essential)

8-10 ft for parking lots, 6-8 ft for residential. Box-style pushers contain snow better than straight blades.

$1,500 - $4,000

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Bucket (Multi-purpose)

Your standard bucket works for light snow and loading trucks. Consider a light material bucket for better capacity.

$800 - $2,000

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Trailer & Truck

You'll need to transport your skid steer to job sites. A 16-20 ft equipment trailer with 10,000+ lb capacity is standard.

  • • Trailer: $4,000 - $8,000 (new)
  • • Truck: 3/4 ton minimum (F-250, Ram 2500, Silverado 2500)
  • • Salt spreader: $500 - $2,000 (for tailgate or trailer mount)

How to Price Your Services

Residential Pricing

Driveway Size Per Push Seasonal Contract
Single car (up to 20 ft) $40 - $60 $400 - $600
Double car (20-40 ft) $50 - $80 $500 - $800
Large/circular $75 - $150 $750 - $1,200
Acreage/farm $100 - $200+ $1,000 - $2,000+

* Seasonal contracts typically cover unlimited pushes over 5cm trigger depth

Commercial Pricing

Hourly Rate

$100 - $200/hr for skid steer + operator

Higher rates for overnight/emergency calls

Per Event

Quote based on lot size, typically $150 - $500 per push for small lots

Pro tip: Seasonal contracts provide predictable income but cap your upside in heavy snow years. Many operators do 60% contracts, 40% per-push to balance stability with opportunity.

Finding Customers

Residential

  • • Facebook Marketplace & local groups
  • • Kijiji/Craigslist ads
  • • Door-to-door flyers in target neighborhoods
  • • Word of mouth & referral discounts
  • • Nextdoor app

Commercial

  • • Cold call property managers
  • • Visit strip malls, retail plazas
  • • Connect with landscaping companies (they often subcontract winter work)
  • • Bid on municipal contracts
  • • Network with realtors (vacant properties)

Building Your Route

Efficiency comes from density. Focus on one neighborhood or area rather than scattered clients across town. A tight route of 20-30 driveways can be cleared in 4-5 hours, while the same number spread across the city might take all day.

Total Startup Costs

Item Budget Mid-Range
Skid Steer (used) $25,000 $40,000
Snow Pusher $1,500 $3,000
Trailer $4,000 $6,000
Insurance (annual) $2,000 $3,500
Business registration $100 $200
Marketing/flyers $200 $500
Total $32,800 $53,200

* Assumes you already have a suitable truck. Add $15,000-$30,000 for a used 3/4 ton if needed.

Day-to-Day Operations

When Snow Hits

  1. Check weather forecast the night before
  2. Wake up early (4-5 AM for commercial, 6-7 AM for residential)
  3. Hit commercial lots first (need to be clear by business hours)
  4. Work through residential route
  5. Return for second pass if snow continues
  6. Salt/sand as needed

Off-Season (May - October)

Your skid steer doesn't have to sit idle. Many snow removal operators pivot to:

Tax & Licensing by Province

Each province has different tax rates, WCB requirements, and business registration processes. Select your province for the specific compliance details:

Alberta BC Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia PEI Newfoundland

Ready to Get Started?

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