How Much Does Snow Removal Cost? 2025 Pricing Guide
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Snow removal is a necessary winter expense for homeowners and businesses across the U.S., but prices can vary depending on the method, size of the area, and even snowfall depth. The average snow removal cost is reported to be $105 per visit or $700 per seasonal contract.
Whether you’re looking at a simple residential snow removal estimate or calculating commercial snow removal pricing per inch, this guide will help you budget with confidence and compare DIY vs. professional options.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Average snow removal cost in 2025 (per visit and per contract)
- Regional price differences by location
- Cost by method (shoveling, snow plowing, snow blowers, etc.)
- Additional factors like depth, square footage, and heated systems
- DIY costs vs. hiring a professional
- FAQs for homeowners and contractors
Average snow removal cost in 2025
The average snow removal cost in the United States for 2025 ranges from (the average snow plowing cost is about $100 per driveway visit, depending on region and snowfall depth). It also includes the cost to shovel snow driveway, which is usually lower but more labor intensive. The range is $50 to $150 per visit for residential jobs and $100 to $400 per visit for commercial properties, depending on snow depth and accessibility.
For ongoing contracts, expect to pay between $350 and $700 per season for a residential driveway and anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000+ for commercial parking lots.
Cost per visit
- Residential snow removal: $50–$150 depending on driveway length and snowfall.
- Commercial snow removal cost: $100–$400 for small lots, scaling higher for larger parking lots.
- Per square foot: $0.10–$0.25 per square foot is common for larger areas.
Cost per contract
- Residential contract: $350–$600 per season for unlimited visits.
- Commercial contract: $2,000–$10,000+ per season for large parking lots or office complexes.
Source: LawnLove, HomeWise, and LawnStarter
Snow Removal Cost by Location
Snow removal costs vary depending on region, climate, and local labor rates:
- Northeast (New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania): $75–$150 per residential visit due to heavy snowfall and high demand for plow trucks and snow blowers. Seasonal contracts often exceed $600.
- Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin): $50–$100 per visit is typical for driveways and sidewalks, though large parking lot plowing may cost $200–$400 per service.
- Mountain states (Colorado, Utah, Montana): Higher costs ($100–$200 per visit) reflect steep driveways, heavy snowfall, and the need for specialized snowplow equipment.
- Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon): Less frequent snow, but when storms occur, emergency rates can reach $150–$250 per visit.
- Southern states (Texas, Georgia, Carolinas): Rare snow removal costs, but emergency services may charge premium rates ($200+) due to limited equipment availability.
Regional averages vary depending on snowfall depth, property size, and whether you choose a per-visit or contract model. Homeowners in high-snowfall zones often save money with seasonal contracts, while areas with occasional storms are better served by per-visit pricing.
Cost by removal method
Different methods impact total snow removal cost, and choosing the right one often depends on property size, type of surface, and equipment availability:
- Shoveling (manual labor): $25–$75 per hour. Best for small residential driveways and sidewalks. Labor intensive but affordable.
- Snow blower service: $40–$100 per visit. Works well for medium-sized driveways. Prices vary depending on snow depth and whether the job involves residential snow or a small commercial property.
- Snowplow truck service: $50–$150 for a typical residential driveway, while commercial snow removal cost ranges $100–$350+ for larger parking lots. Plow trucks are ideal for clearing large areas quickly.
- Roof snow removal: $200–$500 depending on roof size and height. Costs rise for steep or complex roofs where snow cleaning requires additional safety equipment.
- Parking lot plowing: $100–$400 per visit depending on square footage, snowfall depth, and whether de-icing is included. Large commercial snowplow services may bundle salting and sanding into the price.
- Specialty equipment (skid steers or loaders): $150–$500+ per service for big jobs such as clearing apartment complexes, industrial sites, or shopping centers.
Each method has advantages. Shoveling works for tight spaces, snow blowers for driveways, and plow trucks for bigger lots or long driveways. Adding salting, de-icing, or snow hauling can increase the average cost by an estimated 20–40%.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
Cost by removal area
- Driveway (residential snow): $50–$150 per clearing.
- Sidewalks: $20–$50 per 100 ft.
- Parking lot: $100–$400 depending on size and snow depth.
- Roof snow cleaning: $200–$500.
Cost by inches of snow
- Up to 6 inches: $50–$100 per visit.
- 6–12 inches: $100–$200 per visit.
- 12+ inches: $200+; contracts may include premium rates for heavy snowfall.
Cost of heat mat installation
- $12–$25 per square foot for heated driveway mats.
- $1,500–$5,000+ for full driveway installations.
Cost of heating cable installation
- $400–$1,200 for roof or gutter heating cables.
- Prevents ice dams and reduces the need for roof snow cleaning.
Cost of speedy service
- Emergency snowplow requests often add 20–50% premium.
- Overnight or early morning service may be billed higher.
Example Scenarios
Here are a few real-world examples to put snow removal costs into perspective:
- Residential driveway (600 sq ft, 6 inches of snow): One-time plow visit costs $75–$120. A seasonal contract might be $400–$550.
- Commercial parking lot (10,000 sq ft, heavy snowfall region): Per-visit costs often run $300–$500. Seasonal contracts can range from $5,000–$8,000.
- Roof snow cleaning (2,000 sq ft roof with steep pitch): $300–$450 per visit, depending on safety equipment needed.
- DIY with a snow blower: $600 initial equipment purchase, $20 in fuel per season, plus personal labor time.
Example Cost Comparison Table
Using a 600 sq ft residential driveway with 6 inches of snow as the baseline scenario:
| Option | Formula/Details | Estimated Cost |
| DIY with shovel | 2 hours labor + $20 salt | $40–$70 (labor valued) |
| DIY with snow blower | $600 equipment ÷ 5 years + $20 fuel | ~$140/year + labor |
| One-time professional visit | Flat rate per visit | $75–$120 |
| Residential seasonal contract | Flat seasonal pricing | $400–$550 |
| Emergency/speedy service | One-time visit + 25% premium | $95–$150 |
DIY Cost vs. Hiring a Professional
Choosing between DIY snow removal and hiring a professional depends on budget, time, and physical ability. While DIY can save money upfront, professional services offer speed, safety, and reliability during heavy snowfalls.
DIY cost of equipment and supplies
- Shovel: $20–$50.
- Snow blower: $400–$1,500 depending on size.
- Plow attachment for truck: $1,000–$3,000.
- Salt and de-icing supplies: $20–$50 per bag.
DIY cost of labor
- Clearing a 600 sq ft driveway manually may take 1–2 hours.
- For larger driveways or parking lots, the labor time and physical effort make hiring a professional more practical.
- DIY snow removal also carries risk of injury, particularly back strain or slips on ice.
Professional services
- Professionals charge $50–$150 per visit for residential driveways and $100–$400+ for commercial lots.
- Seasonal contracts average $350–$600 for homes and $2,000–$10,000+ for businesses.
- Added convenience: Contractors arrive during storms, often before business hours.
Use our Service Price Calculator to estimate your DIY vs. professional costs. For a cost-benefit perspective, see Investopedia on analyzing household expenses.
DIY vs. Professional Snow Removal Cost Comparison
| Category | DIY Estimated Cost | Professional Estimated Cost |
| Equipment/Supplies | $20–$3,000+ (shovel, snow blower, plow) | Included in service fee |
| Labor Time | 1–2 hours for 600 sq ft driveway | None (handled by crew) |
| Typical Per-Visit Cost | Time + $20–$50 salt/de-icer | $50–$150 residential / $100–$400 commercial |
| Seasonal Contract | N/A (DIY ongoing labor required) | $350–$600 residential / $2,000–$10,000+ commercial |
| Safety & Convenience | Risk of injury, weather dependent | Reliable, completed quickly even in heavy storms |
When DIY makes sense: If the amount of snow is light (under 3 inches) and the driveway is small (under 600 square feet), using basic snow removal equipment like a shovel or a small snow blower is cost-effective. At an hourly rate of your own time, the cost of snow removal remains low, and investing in a blower can pay off in the long term.
When professional services are better: In cases of heavy winter weather or larger properties (1,000+ square feet), professional snow removal contractors are often the smarter option. While the price per square foot is higher, contractors bring specialized equipment and crews to clear snow quickly and safely, especially when repeated storms make DIY impractical.
Breaking Down Real Snow Removal Costs in 2025
Snow removal cost in 2025 depends on factors like snowfall, property size, removal method, and whether you choose a per-visit or seasonal contract. For homeowners, the cost to shovel a driveway may be as low as $50, while commercial snow removal costs for parking lots can exceed $10,000 per season.
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FAQs about Snow Removal Cost
Most homeowners pay $50–$150 per visit, while businesses pay $100–$400 depending on size.
Manual shoveling rates average $25–$75 per hour.
By square footage, snow depth, and frequency. Average cost is $0.10–$0.25 per square foot.
Expect $60–$150 depending on depth and region.
Yes. Snow removal can be profitable, especially in regions with regular snowfall. Residential jobs may bring in $50–$150 per visit, while commercial contracts can generate thousands each season.
