FYI, you can probably expect to pay a pretty penny for that. I'd probably anticipate something in the $150 per storm range for that. Particularly with the delayed payment schedule, which may rule out some folks who would be less expensive, but need payment in cash (eg, new FSP movers).
A reliable third party who is willing to act as an "escrow agent" on your behalf might allow payment in a more-immediate manner, which might help secure the best value.
The guy I had two years ago and part of last year (who got out of the business all together after several years) was $35 per removal (sometimes that wound up being $70 per storm). He was fantastic. The guy he gave his clients to did okay, but only shoveled the steps once and wouldn't bill. The escrow idea is one I hadn't thought of. That might be a good idea just in general...
Yep... And if it costs a bit more for better, then so be it. Somewhere is a happy medium... but it's snowing again and I haven't found it yet so I might be out shoveling again later. *sigh*
Snow removal
anonymous
December 13 2009, 23:40:46 UTC
I suppose everybody is entitled to their preferences for services requested, but I've never seen anyone have a 500 word essay on snow shoveling.
But you know what, at least you're straightforward about it. If I were already in NH, I'd probably give it a go, because, while this post tells me you're particular to a fault, you're a man of your word.
Re: Snow removalvarrinDecember 14 2009, 04:45:07 UTC
If I had to guess, I'd guess the guys with the snowblowers (we've had two) took maybe 20 minutes give or take? (including set up, shovel the steps, etc.) I shovel slow, so if I have to shovel it myself it takes a long time (granted I was playing with the kids, too, but last time took me all afternoon). Plowing is definitely much faster.... but it's harder on transmissions... hah!
If I were home all the time, I'd just go get a snowblower and do it myself. The last two years, we spent $400-$500 per winter on snow removal. I don't know if that's average for a customer, but I could see that being good extra income if you had a bunch of customers.
I can see that most of the comments left didnt catch the important part. I too am a fellow high expectations person. I had a 77 year old woman working for me for 5 years. she thought, like most people ,that she could paint. She would get ceiling paint on the walls, wall paint on the floor. Refused to mask or use trim tools. After years of corrections and rework I told her that all was forgiven but from this point forward , if she could not follow instructions that she would be doing rework on her own time without being paid. There was never any hurry. or no one ever pushed her to get it done. I paid her generously also. Her remark was "I quit". I guess you know what my comment was. . .The moral of the story is: if you pay 20 dollars for help to do the job your way, and 50 dollars to fix the mistakes of the help you hired, pay yourself 30 dollars and do it yourself.
Amazingly, I was able to find a great person (a local, non-free stater type) who does a great job exactly how we like it. He's not outrageously expensive, but is a little bit higher than we were paying before. I can't be happier and I rest easy knowing he'll come back sometime after this huge storm is over to take care of us again :)
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A reliable third party who is willing to act as an "escrow agent" on your behalf might allow payment in a more-immediate manner, which might help secure the best value.
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But you know what, at least you're straightforward about it. If I were already in NH, I'd probably give it a go, because, while this post tells me you're particular to a fault, you're a man of your word.
Bill in KY
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Snow removal is something I'm tossing around in my head as a way to make money on the side in the free state.
Bill
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If I were home all the time, I'd just go get a snowblower and do it myself. The last two years, we spent $400-$500 per winter on snow removal. I don't know if that's average for a customer, but I could see that being good extra income if you had a bunch of customers.
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