The average cost of snow removal is $123, but prices can fluctuate between $50 to $203. Price structures work differently when purchasing an annual snow removal contract vs. a one-time service.
On average, snow removal costs range from $50 to $203 per session. If you opt for an annual snow removal contract, expect to pay up to $500 per year. Let’s take a look at the cost of snow removal, including one-time services and annual contracts.
The cost of professional snow removal depends on several factors, ranging from type of equipment to add-on services.
Take a look at the cost ranges of the following snow services:
| Type of Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Snow Plowing | $30–$95 per visit |
| Snow Shoveling | $25–$75 per hour |
| Snow Blowing | $25–$75 per hour |
| Salt Application | $20–$40 per visit |
| Sand Application | $20–$40 per visit |
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for clearing snow from walkways, parking lots, and other areas.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Snow removal isn’t the only service you may need when the temperatures drop, so consider these add-on services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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DIY snow removal if free, minus the cost of a shovel. That said, it may not always be the best option, as it’s strenuous work and can take a long time.
Heated driveways cost an average of $12 to $21 per square foot. This type of driveway can save on snow removal costs because it will automatically melt the snow that falls on your driveway.
Whether or not an annual snow removal contract is worth it depends largely on location. If you live in an area with frequent heavy snowfall, an annual contract could be a better deal than paying per clearing. If you live in an area where it only snows a few times a year, it may be a better option to pay per snowstorm.
