Question by Jim42: I want to make money clearning snow off people‘s driveways. What snowblower would be perfect for this?
I have energy and time. This winter i want to make some money by going door to door and offering people to clean snow off their driveways. What snow blower would be perfect for this job? Something thats a good mix of good price and durability. I expect to clear 8-10 driveways per snowfall. Also wouldnt mind any tips you might have for someone considering this business as a side job. Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Eggman
If you get a half-decent amount of snow, you’ll want a two-stage snow blower. It should have a clearing width of at least 24 inches, and at least a 5hp engine.
The best new ones for the money, according to consumer reports, are the Craftsman 88999 ($ 900) and Craftsman 88955 ($ 600). Troy-Bilt and Ariens also make very good snowblowers.
If I were you, I’d look for a good, used two-stage snowblower and see how it works for you. Many people are selling their old ones just before winter, because they are upgrading to a newer model.
Make sure you have some clients lined up before you invest alot of money in the equipment. In the summer, mow their grass or walk their dogs as another side job. Help with fall cleanup as yet another.
What do you think? Answer below!
If this is a side job you want to clear as many as possible in as little time as possible. Since you will probably have to transport the snow blower to each driveway anyway, you might consider installing a snowplow to the front of your truck. This would allow you to clear a driveway in a matter of minutes, instead of a half-hour each. The reduction in gas mileage for your truck would be approximately the same as towing a trailer with the snow blower to each driveway and, because you could clear more drives in less time, your profits would be increased. Just an idea to give you something to consider.
Good luck and enjoy!
Toro and Ariens are great snowblowers. Home Depot carries both snowblower brands. There is a surprisingly wide variety of snowblowers available. You can get snowblowers and snowthrowers and even electric snowshovels. Like another answerer mentioned, portability will be you biggest problem. As for advice, I would go with as big a machines as you can afford. How wide the cut is and how strong the motor is, will determine how fast you finish the job (and how much easier it will be on you physically).
http://www.canbuy.ca/Home-Depot-Canada-Snowblowers.asp