How Much Does Snow Removal Cost? [2024 Data]

Snow Removal Cost Breakdown

The cost of professional snow removal depends on several factors, ranging from type of equipment to add-on services.

Types of Service

Take a look at the cost ranges of the following snow services:

Equipment

The type of equipment your snow removal professional uses affects the price. Make sure your contractor understands the specifics of your situation and knows what equipment to bring, whether you have a long drive that needs plowing or walkways that need snow blowing or snow throwing.

Labor

Labor is the other main factor that affects the cost of snow removal. Depending on the company you work with, different contractors may offer different levels of service. While professional snow removal companies don't need a license in most states, it's important to find a reliable snow removal contractor that you trust.

Property Size

If you have an especially long, winding driveway, expect to pay more. Professionals may also charge more for dirt or gravel driveways, as they take longer to clear and de-ice than concrete. If your drive slopes sharply down or is very curvy, you may have to pay for the extra time spent clearing the path.

Commercial vs. Residential

Snow removal in a commercial area will cost more than snow removal in a residential area. This is because commercial snow removal is often for larger areas, including shopping center parking lots. If you need to remove snow from a commercial area, get a personalized quote from a commercial snow removal company near you.

Location

Snow removal costs also vary based on where you live. If you live in a climate likely to get a lot of snow, you can expect to pay more annually. However, you may also be able to lock in a reasonable per-clearing rate because there’s more work each season.

Response Time

How long it takes a company to respond also affects the price of a snow removal. You may pay more for a company with a fast response time vs. paying less for a longer wait time.

Extras

Removing snow from surfaces such as sidewalks or walkways may cost extra. Before you choose a contractor for an annual snow removal contract, be sure to ask what services come with the price.

Cost of Snow Removal by Location

Here’s what you can expect to pay for clearing snow from walkways, parking lots, and other areas. 

Driveway 

Assuming your driveway has enough room for two cars side-by-side, it’ll likely cost around $30 to $50 per session to have your driveway plowed. If you choose to have salt or sand put down to prevent snow or ice from sticking, the cost will be closer to $200 total. 

Roof 

Although driveways and sidewalks often take priority when it comes to snow removal, it’s important to consider your roof as well, especially if you’re experiencing the following:

• Creaking sounds 

• Doors suddenly sticking or not closing 

• Water leaking through your ceiling 

The above scenarios require quick action, since they’re indicators that the snow on your roof is weighing it down and potentially causing structural issues.

While it may be easy to overlook your roof, snow removal is recommended after:

• 6 inches of snowfall 

• 3½ inches of wet snow 

• ½ inch of ice 

Sidewalk 

Even if the sidewalk out front of your house is owned by the city, in most cases you are still responsible to clear any walkways surrounding your property. Expect to pay around $25 to $75 per hour to hire a professional to plow your sidewalk. You may also want to check with your local utilities department to see what fees are handed out for noncompliance. 

Parking Lot

Depending on the size, commercial parking lots cost around $50 to $150 per hour for snow removal. This service includes de-icing, sanding, and salting, too.

When to Purchase an Annual Snow Removal Contract

You may want to consider purchasing an annual snow removal contract to:

• Protect your health: While shoveling snow is good exercise, it also comes with some health risks, especially for older adults and people with mobility concerns. 

• Clear large property: If you have a large, winding drive or an extensive area that needs shoveling or plowing, it makes sense to hire a professional.

• Save time: Consider hiring someone to remove snow for you since the DIY approach to snow removal takes a significant amount of time and effort.

DIY Snow Removal vs. Hiring a Pro

If you own the right snow removal equipment, it’s a project you can tackle yourself. You can expect to pay about $20 for a shovel. Homeowners with larger properties may consider purchasing or renting a snowblower for $75 per day. Snowblowers take less time than shoveling but don’t work well in tight areas.

You can also rent a snow plow that attaches to a truck for an average of $100 per day. If you want to rent a utility vehicle plow for your ATV or UTV, it costs about $20 per day.

However, if you’d rather stay inside next to your fireplace while your local snow removal pros remove snow, they complete the job faster and ensure your walkways are prepped for future freezing. Plus, they have the tools and equipment necessary to tackle your snow needs.

Cost of Common Snow Removal Add-Ons

Snow removal isn’t the only service you may need when the temperatures drop, so consider these add-on services. 

Salt Application 

After the snow or ice has been removed, professional snow removal companies can also put salt down on your walkways to prevent future snowfall from sticking to the surface. You will likely pay around $20 to $40 per application, plus labor costs if you have an especially long driveway or area to cover. 

Emergency Snow Removal 

When you get an unexpected amount of snow or need to clear your roof as soon as possible, you can pay for an emergency snow removal service to come to your home quickly. For this type of service, you can expect to pay a fee on top of the traditional cost to remove snow or ice from your house. 

Heat Mat Installation 

You can also pay for heat mat installation, which costs anywhere from $60 to $2,500 depending on the mat size and number. A basic walkway mat is $60 to $400, while a driveway mat can cost $700 to $2,500. A heated driveway system is also a service you can pay a snow removal company to install, and it will run around $1,300 to $5,700. 

Tips to Reduce Snow Removal Costs 

The below tips can help reduce costs on services throughout the winter season.

• Plan ahead: Check with your neighbors for referrals on reputable companies or look at online reviews to find a snow removal professional. You’ll likely score a better deal during a snow company’s off-season than if you reach out when they’re in high demand.

• Get several quotes: Once you have a list of companies you’re considering hiring, contact them for quotes on basic snow removal services as well as add-ons so that you can compare notes. 

• Consider a contract: A snow removal contract may cost more upfront but will be less overall when you consider how much you’d pay for one-time removal several times a year. You may even be offered a discount for signing up for a year-round contract that includes lawn maintenance and care.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.