Let's be real — nobody loves dealing with snow. But if you live in Minnesota, you've got about 5 months of it. So the question is: shovel it yourself, or pay someone to handle it?
We plow driveways and parking lots for a living, so we're obviously biased. But here's an honest breakdown.
The DIY Route
Pros: Free (minus the cost of a shovel or snowblower). You get exercise. You're on your own schedule.
Cons: It takes time — a typical driveway takes 30-60 minutes after a decent snowfall. Snowblowers cost $300-$1500 and need maintenance. And the big one: back injuries. Emergency rooms see a spike in back and heart-related visits every time it snows.
Hiring a Pro
Pros: It's done before you wake up. We salt for ice too, which most homeowners skip. No equipment to store or maintain. And if it snows 3 times in a week, you don't have to deal with any of them.
Cons: It costs money. Seasonal contracts in the Shakopee area typically run $300-$600 for residential, depending on driveway size and frequency. Per-event pricing is also available.
When It Makes Sense to Hire Out
For most people, the tipping point is one of these:
- You leave for work before 7am and need a clear driveway
- You have a long or steep driveway
- You're over shoveling (physically or mentally)
- You have a commercial property that needs to be clear for liability reasons
We offer both seasonal contracts and per-event service. Seasonal is better value if you want it handled every time without thinking about it. Per-event works if you only want help with the big storms.
Reach out before the first snow — we fill up our route early in the season.