How Much Is the Cost of Snow Removal in 2025?
The average cost of snow removal is $123
Snow removal costs an average of $123, with most prices falling between $50 and $203.
Key cost factors include the size and length of your driveway, frequency of service, and additional services like salting or sanding.
Seasonal contracts range from $200 to $700 and may be cost-effective in areas with heavy snowfall.
Professional snow removal ensures safety and accessibility during winter months.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Snow removal costs an average of $123, with prices ranging from $30 to $500. Factors like the size of your driveway, how often you need service, and extras like salting or sanding can affect the price. If you're tired of shoveling snow every time a storm hits, hiring a professional snow removal company might be the solution. Investing in professional snow removal ensures your home stays safe and accessible all winter long.
Snow Removal Cost by Service Rates
Snow removal professionals base their prices on how long it will take one person to move a certain amount of snow in an hour, the equipment required, and the overhead. Companies will also consider the layout of your property, any obstacles they will need to navigate, and the surface composition.
| Service Rate | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $25–$75 |
| Seasonal contract | $200–$700 |
| Per storm | $30–$100 |
| Per visit | $30–$70 |
Per Hour
Snow removal prices range between $25 to $75 per hour for shoveling and blowers. You can expect to pay the lower end of the hourly rates if your house is in a regular residential neighborhood, whereas it can cost considerably more in rural areas.
Per Season
Opting for a seasonal contract, which costs between $200 and $700, can be the most cost-effective choice if heavy snowfall is common where you live. Prices vary based on the services you choose to include in the package. Comprehensive packages often include unlimited snow removal for your driveway, garage aprons, walkways, and sidewalks. Some companies may even offer perks like a free follow-up visit after the city plows your street, liquid de-icing treatments, and hauling away snow from your property.
Each contract will spell out the trigger amount for service. Depending on your area, it could be as little as 1.5 to two inches of snow or as much as four to six inches of snow. The company should also tell you the timeframe in which they will provide the snow removal service, whether within a certain number of hours or the day.
Prices can range as low as $280 for a driveway-only contract if the driveway is two cars wide and deep. If you have a driveway that is two to three cars wide and deep with short walkways, it can cost $600 to $750. If your home is a corner lot with long sidewalks bordering your property, it may cost $1,100 to $1,400.
Per Storm
If you want snow removed after a big snowstorm, you can expect to pay between $30 and $100. This type of service is a good option for areas that experience only a handful of snowstorms yearly and may be a better deal than paying per visit.
Per Visit
If you’d prefer to call in snow removal services only when you want it, you can opt to pay per visit, costing $30 to $70. Snowplow prices could be closer to $100 per visit, depending on the length of your driveway. A heavy snowstorm could require multiple visits, as a company completes a visit every four to six inches of snowfall.
Snow Removal Cost Factors
Snow removal costs can vary significantly depending on the type of service you require, the method they use, whether you have a contract, and the size and complexity of the project.
Service Type
The type of snow removal service you require will determine the cost of your service. Sand and salt applications will only cost you $20 to $40 per visit, while snow blowing can cost up to $75 per hour. Here are the service types you may require and their average costs.
| Service Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|
Removal vs. Snow Plowing
While choosing both plowing and snow removal services costs more, it can be a worthwhile investment. In areas with heavy snowfall, snow piles at the end of your driveway can linger for months—even into late spring. Including snow removal in your seasonal contract keeps your property clear and enhances curb appeal throughout the winter.
Snow Blowing vs. Snow Plowing
The cost of blowing and plowing is often the same, and depending on your needs, the snow removal company may do both. Plowing is quicker, but blowers are helpful for tighter spaces.
Contract vs. Individual Visit
If your area gets a lot of snowfall, a contract will almost always be more cost-effective than paying per individual visit. It’s also easier because once you pay the bill, you know the company will handle all the work. Companies that offer lawn services in the summer months often provide annual contracts or roll over unused portions of winter contracts for summer use.
Some companies charge for a certain amount of clearings; if you surpass that amount, the costs increase for the season. Just make sure to ask in advance how they charge for an entire season of removal. Some may charge by the season versus per plow.
Commercial Plowing
Commercial snow clearing costs range from $50 to $200 per hour. Commercial rates include clearing parking lots, walkways, and drive lanes. Sometimes, the rate involves de-icing liquids, salting, or sanding.
Commercial plowing rates are higher than residential rates because commercial properties are larger. Many businesses need to stay open year-round, and the only way to accommodate this is by signing a seasonal contract with a trusted snow removal company. Often, commercial contracts include agreements to visit the property multiple times during a snowstorm.
Size
Snow removal charges vary according to the size of your property. In particular, costs will vary according to the width and length of your driveway, if there are any walkways, and the length of sidewalks bordering your house.
Special Conditions
Snow removal services may cost more if special conditions apply to your property. You can expect to pay extra if you live in a rural area, have a steep or winding driveway, or if your property includes hard-to-navigate areas with obstacles.
Response Time
The response time should be clearly outlined when you sign a seasonal contract. Some companies let you choose a 'trigger amount'—the depth of snow that prompts a service visit. Choosing a lower trigger amount, like 1.5 inches, means the company will come more frequently, which can increase costs compared to selecting a higher trigger amount, like four inches.
The most expensive snow removal services are emergency services—which often means you failed to hire a company before snowfall. The company will review satellite imagery of your property to discern the shape of the property and identify obstacles. They will often only service your property if they have the time and resources after they take care of their contract customers.
Average Cost of Snow Removal by Location
Snow removal costs range from $50 to $200 on average, depending on the location of the snow. For example, clearing a standard driveway is much less expensive than removing snow from a driveway and sidewalk. Adding salting or sanding to your service will also increase costs.
Cost to Plow a Driveway
It’ll cost $30 to $75 per session to plow a 60-foot driveway that’s two-car stalls wide. This cost may or may not include sidewalks.
To avoid the need for snow removal, consider installing a heated driveway for $12 to $25 per square foot. You’ll need to pay to remove and install new asphalt or concrete, but once installed, you'll never need to plow or shovel again. Just turn on the heat, and it all melts quickly.
Snow Plowing Quotes for Parking Lots
Plowing a commercial parking lot costs $50 to $200 per hour. This cost often includes liquid de-icing, salting, and sanding.
Roof Snow Removal Cost
Snow removal from a roof costs $200 to $500 per cleaning for typical roofs, with larger or steeper roofs costing $1,000 to $2,000. Generally, roofs can withstand 20 pounds per square foot. The actual weight of the snow varies depending on the type of accumulation.
Snow removal from roofs is recommended after:
Six inches of fresh or dry snowfall
3.5 inches of wet snow (wet snow weight 1.7 times more than dry snow)
1/2 inch of ice (an inch of ice is equal to a foot of fresh snow)
If you notice these danger signs, remove snow immediately from your roof:
Strange creaking sounds
Doors not fitting snugly in door frames
Ice dams (water leaking through your ceiling)
You should never climb onto your roof to clear snow because it is extremely dangerous. If you’d like to do the job yourself, use a roof rake and keep both feet on the ground.
Another option is to consider a roof heating system. These systems use heated cables attached directly to your roof to melt snow as it comes down, replacing the need to remove any buildup on your roof.
Charge for Sidewalk Plowing
Expect to pay around $25 to $75 per hour to hire a professional snow removal company to plow your sidewalk. Although sidewalks are technically public property, many cities require homeowners to clear the walkways bordering their property. To avoid fines and the hassle of shoveling yourself, you might find it easier to hire a pro to handle it for you.
DIY vs. Hiring a Snow Removal Company
If you have the right equipment, you might consider handling snow removal yourself. But remember that shoveling can be physically demanding—even dangerous—with thousands ending up in the emergency room each year due to shoveling-related injuries. Renting a plow or using your vehicle might seem convenient, but plowing can be tough on trucks and utility vehicles, potentially leading to costly repairs. Before committing to a rental, consider the wear and tear on your vehicle. If you'd rather avoid the risks and hassle, hiring a professional snow removal contractor can provide safe and efficient service. Professional snow removal companies have the tools and expertise to clear your property quickly so you can stay warm and safe indoors.
Ready to keep your property snow-free this winter? Connect with a local snow removal professional to ensure safe and efficient service so you can enjoy a worry-free season.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're thinking about DIY snow removal, renting a snow blower or thrower costs around $75 daily. Purchasing a snow blower might be a wise investment in areas with frequent heavy snowfall. However, if snowstorms are rare where you live, hiring a professional service could be more cost-effective and save you the hassle.
Renting a snow plow that attaches to a truck costs $100 per day, while a plow for a UTV costs $20 per day. Remember that plowing can be hard on vehicles, and the rental costs cover only the equipment—not the labor. Hiring a professional snow removal company ensures the job is done efficiently without additional wear on your own vehicle.
A professional contractor can plow a gravel driveway without disturbing the underlying gravel. They use specialized techniques to clear the snow while ensuring the gravel stays in place. By employing precise methods and equipment adjustments, these experts protect your driveway’s integrity and enhance safety during winter. This service maintains both functionality and the appearance of your gravel driveway.
The best home snow removal equipment is a snow blower designed for residential use. A snow blower offers efficient clearing power and significantly reduces physical strain compared to manual shoveling. In contrast, using a basic shovel increases the likelihood of injury and slows the process. Investing in a quality blower ensures rapid, safe, and consistent snow removal in various snowfall conditions.
The cheapest method to remove snow is using a shovel, which incurs no equipment rental fees. Manual removal, however, demands substantial physical effort and risks injury. Professional snow removal services offer reliability and safety on larger properties or during heavy snowfall, ensuring your time and well-being are protected while maintaining clear access.
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