Snow Removal Business by Kids

Research

• Find out if your neighborhood, suburb, condominium or apartment complex offers free snow removal services. If they do, you are unlikely to find much work in your area, as residents won't want to pay for something already included in their association or rental fees. Find out the average price for snow removal in your area, for snow removal. Use that information to set a competitive price. According to Kids' Money, the average child can expect to earn $5 to $10 from each home.

  Once you've got pricing, use a map to outline your sales turf. Ask your parents or guardian how far outside your immediate area is acceptable for you to work. You should also decide if you will work with friends and if you do, decide how to split profits.

Marketing

• Use social media to market your business. Develop a Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts to promote your businesses to friends, family and neighbors. Set up an e-mail account for your business. Many sites such as Google, Yahoo and Hotmail have free e-mail. Get permission from your parents to use your home phone number so clients can call to request service. Create a flyer for your business using a publishing program such as Microsoft Word or Pages for Apple. Include the business name, contact and price information.

  Go door-to-door, if permitted by neighborhood and local laws, and place the flyers in each door. Do not put them in the mailbox--it's against the law according to the United States Postal Service. Do not place them on car windshields as they are likely to be ruined by snow and ice, and annoy the owners of the cars.

  Use word-of-mouth. Ask your friends, family and neighbors to spread the news about your business. Often a good recommendation can land a new client.

Equipment

• A shovel is a basic tool for snow removal. Choose one that is not too heavy as adding heavy snow will only make it harder to use. According to Popular Mechanics, it is important to properly care for your shovel. Plastic shovels will have to have their edges cut off because they build burrs along the end. Get an adult's help with sharpening your shovel. Metal shovels may need to be hammered back into shape.

  Wear proper clothing to protect you from the cold, including boots, gloves, hat, scarf and coat. According to Popular Mechanics, light layers work best.

  Consider offering walkway and driveway salting as an additional service. Carrying salt in a bucket may be difficult; a wagon or sled may be better to carry all your tools.

Safety

• One of the most important safety precaution you should take is learning how to safely shovel snow. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, in 2007, more than 118,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms and other facilities for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or removing ice. Warm-up your muscles, pace yourself, use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength and space your hands on the tool grip to increase your leverage.

  The Academy also advise that people push the snow instead of lifting it. It says if you must lift the snow, squat with your legs apart, knees bent, back straight and lift with your legs.

Considerations

• Consider using social media to warn clients about upcoming snow storms and remind them of your service. Arrange clients before the snow hits.

  Be courteous and professional at all times. This includes behaving professionally while removing snow. The client is paying for snow removal, not a snowball fight.

  Take frequent breaks to warm up and prevent exhaustion and injury.

  Never enter the home of a client without your parent's permission. It's okay to politely, but firmly say "No, I'm not allowed."