How to Price Commercial Snow Salting | Lawn Thumbs Price Like A Pro

[@ClintonCountyDroneGuy]

60,000 sq ft is 1.4 acres. Or 2,400 sq ft larger then a football field. You're only charging $75 for that? And you're paying bag price? You're losing money. Don't forget, you have time and fuel to go get the bags and put them on your truck/trailer. Then you have time to unload the bags to your shop/home. Then you have to load them back onto your truck when you need to salt. Then you have time in putting each bag into your hopper. Then you have to time in throwing the bags away. You can be touching that same bag up to five times. All that and you haven't even figured the cost of salt and time to apply it. Not to mention cost of salter, rusting out your truck replacement cost, etc. Now throw in the liability you assume in a slip and fall lawsuit.

[@dogoargentino1420]

Question what’s the right price to charge to salt a parking lot?

[@BladePro2021]

I agree, too many people don't figure out for their costs, fuel, insurances, wear and tear and labour time on these lots so when a company that does, gives out a quote the customer says it's too high. I'm not out there working my butt off for the fun of it, I'm out there to make money and too many businesses and clients think because it snows every year multiple times, they shouldn't have to pay a decent rate.

[@iShineCincy]

A few questions for you. 1. For commercial lots what is your pricing per sqft? 2. For the 60k lot is $399 per snow? What happens if you plow it 2-3 times with different snow bands coming through or high winds and snow drifts from the same storm? 3. Do you charge residential snow removal by sqft as well? If so how much? Thank you!

[@LawnThumbs]

The price for commercial lots are “Per Push” meaning after each visit we come back you get charged again. So when they sign up they have to tell me if they only want one push or 2. I generally don’t charge more than 2 per day even if I go back more (very rare to do 3). For residentials it’s a flat rate not based on Sqft just based on how far the jobs are and cities. For example my service area has half low/regular cost living houses and the other half is 3/4car garage big driveways. So the regular half of my area we charge $1800 for all winter and the other big half is $2,875. Flat rate no negotiating. Although some houses in the small side do actually have a big driveway so they will get the $2,875 price. But we never lower the cost on either side.

[@bestnerfmods]

Yes it has to be on for blast to work

[@jimbrodeur8711]

I appreciate the video. I have yet to see one where you can get a good idea on salt coverage per bag. I am on the fence about adding a tailgate spreader to my truck, so this info was good to have. I have a question about how you charge lots. Is the $399 per push? I live in NH and we will have to plow a lot 3 or 4 times per storm.

[@steved.5628]

Hey Freddy the blast feature only works when you have it dialed let’s say down on five or six and you come in to an area where you want to go full on then you hit the blast and it will increase from five or six to wide-open and then return back to what you have it set at.If you’re running the spreader wide-open anyway the blast will not do anything or it will not work as a single function

[@LawnThumbs]

Oh sweet, ok thanks!

[@kevinelmes5767]

@@LawnThumbs What I like to do is turn the salter on but keep it at 0, then your able to just blast spots.

[@LawnThumbs]

@@kevinelmes5767 I’m going to try that thanks. I can’t believe I never tried that.

[@bryanlafleur2419]

Helped a lot. Still have a question though. I'm doing residential properties only. How much do you charge per bag if you are using only one bag and that seems to be my standard thus far. Thanks Brycat Snow Removal!

[@LawnThumbs]

Yeah! Hey I just saw you commented on another post just now. So my snow removal is factored in my overhead so part of sales go towards salt. But as a general rule for myself I would price your service as if your selling the bag for double what you pay for it.

[@wlatronica21]

I load up my 1.5 yard commercial sander at the nursery. $120 per yard, 1 yard per Commercial lot I bill $240 per yard + $75 for labor to press a button is how I charge.

[@ecooutdoors]

You’re giving them a hell of a deal. 1 yrd makes me $800+ granted I have a $75 minimum and about 10 small commercial lots. I had a guy sub for me want $250 for one lot of mine so yea you have LOW pricing

[@twinsandfamilylandscapingi3719]

Nice

[@surecutlandscapinginc626]

Happy new years

[@LawnThumbs]

Happy new year! Let’s all have a great 2021!

[@titanlawnlandscape7783]

Great video! What is the math behind the $399? What's is your gross profit margin on the $399?

[@LawnThumbs]

My pricing is really simple for clearing lots. I have a minimum of $199. up to 5,000K sqft. then its just $5- every 5,000sqft. upto 30K then its $25 every 5K from there. My CRM Software does the totals every time. My margins would seem to be through the roof, but thats the cost to keep my staff paid through winter. So when a customer says "thats too high" I say I understand but you will have a dedicated snow pusher getting to you very quickly every storm.

[@titanlawnlandscape7783]

@@LawnThumbs That makes sense. Do you track direct cost (salt, labor, fuel) and then mark up for that? How much do you mark up your direct costs (COGS)? Thanks!

[@jamessickles4758]

Happy new year 🎉 ✨

[@LawnThumbs]

Same to you James! Thanks.

[@anthonyrodeghier2726]

I changed 50 cents of lb on all Commercial lots

[@chileking1988]

here in wisconsin that should be $200 for salting that lot with or without plowing.

[@pedroclemente7467]

How much should I charge for driveway and sidewalk or residential?

[@LawnThumbs]

I think my minimum is 150-200 for residentials driveways walkways and salting.

[@willieslawncareservice.8436]

Happy new years. That's pretty cheap for Salt, I charge 50 cents per pound.👍👍👍

[@LawnThumbs]

Nice I like the Per pound charge!

[@42swissmocha]

Seems pretty low on salt, do you still charge the same for salt if you don't plow?

[@LawnThumbs]

Yes I do.

[@ericscire9757]

@@LawnThumbs $240-$300 per application

[@israelgallarzo881]

Yeah, that's wayyy too low for salt

[@mikshmt91]

I charge $50 per bag

[@graceortiz9494]

Freddy you are a busy guy all year long. Oh its going to cost you to send that shirt to Canada. Postage is more for international packages.

[@LawnThumbs]

Sending the shirt wasn’t too bad. It was about $15. Haha.

[@MrBigal123123]

@@LawnThumbs hey im in canada... I want one too

[@jeffslawnandlandscapingllc5481]

My name is Jeff and I own Jeff's lawn and landscaping. I am a 1 man crew i do ok by myself but i would like to hire somebody do you have any suggestions on how to get over the hump to hire someone.

[@LawnThumbs]

Hey Jeff, congratulations on reaching the milestone of wanting to hiring someone! Hiring can be really rewarding, and it does get easier over time. One thing I learned that might help you get over the hump is realizing that their are people out there who do become better at the job than “YOU!” But at first may not know how to do thing and need you to train them. Some people are naturally gifted but at first may not be good. Because let’s be honest most people don’t really do this kind of work professionally until they get hired by one of us. At first hire someone who shows up to the interview on time and you think you can work with, cause you may just need a good helper.

[@Loveus00]

My husband has me helping now cause employees disappeared.

[@shawnkinney717]

Not sure what kind of salt your using, but the standard for rock salt is 2000 sq ft per 50lb bag

[@luxurylandscapedesignwithd9513]

wow you are not making enough money. a lot that size is 350.00 just to salt it. 1-6 inches plowing a minimum of 300.00

[@jeffreywhite7657]

Man your salt price seems really low. I charged per bag. I'm now getting out of it. It's not worth it to me any longer. I believe you are leaving money on the table. May want to raise your prices man.

[@gregfeatherston1618]

Never mentioned wtf your price was or how you price for salting