Beta Beta — hiring neighbors on Papalocal is new; what you see here is real, and it's still growing.
Snow and ice clearing Beta
A neighbor shovels your driveway, walk and steps after a storm and spreads ice melt where it will refreeze.
- How often
- Storms
- Where the work happens
- Outdoors
- Who it suits
- Often a good fit for a responsible teen
These open your Papalocal account. You'll be asked to log in or sign up first.
Snow and ice clearing means shoveling or snow-blowing the driveway, the front walk and steps, and often a path to the mailbox or trash bins, then spreading ice melt or sand where it will freeze again. Timing matters most: cleared early, snow is easy; packed down by tires, it turns to ice.
Older neighbors, people with heart or back worries, early commuters, and anyone away during a storm want someone they can count on when the forecast turns. Landlords and adult children often set it up for a parent's house.
A neighbor is a natural fit because they are snowed in on the same street and can be at your door within minutes, while plow services are working through long route lists. Large lots and commercial plowing call for a plow business.
Also called: snow shoveling service, driveway snow removal, shovel my driveway, sidewalk snow clearing, ice removal, snow removal for seniors.
What's usually included
- Shoveling or snow-blowing the driveway
- Clearing the front walk, steps and porch
- A path to the mailbox, trash bins or side door
- Spreading ice melt or sand on steps and walks
- Clearing the ridge of packed snow the street plow leaves at the end of the driveway
- Brushing snow off the car, if you ask
What to ask before you hire
- How much snow before they come: any snowfall, or only above a certain depth?
- What time do you need to be out of the driveway in the morning?
- Whose shovels, snowblower and ice melt will be used?
- Is there anything to watch for, such as pet-friendly ice melt only, pavers or a newly poured section?
- Should they come back for the plow ridge after the street gets plowed?
- Is it automatic every storm, or only when you send a text?
Staying safe
- Push snow rather than lifting it when you can, take small scoops, and rest often; shoveling is hard work, so stop if you feel unwell.
- Never clear a snowblower chute with your hand; shut it off and use the clearing tool.
- Watch for black ice on steps and wear boots with real grip.
- Stay off the street side of the driveway when a plow is coming through.
Snow and ice clearing by town
Questions people ask
When should snow be cleared?
As soon as it is safe to be out, and before cars drive over it. Packed snow becomes ice that is much harder to remove.
Which ice melt should I use?
Products differ, and some are harder on paws, plants and new concrete than others. Tell your neighbor which one you want, or buy it yourself and leave it by the door.
Can a teen shovel my driveway?
Yes, shoveling is a long-time teen job with a parent's okay. A teen using a snowblower should first be taught how to run it safely by an adult.
What if I am out of town when it snows?
Set it up to happen automatically: they come after every snowfall above a set depth and send you a photo. The house will not look empty, and the walk is clear for mail and deliveries.
Thinking of offering this yourself?
- A good push shovel, a lifting shovel, a bag of ice melt and warm waterproof boots handle most driveways; a snowblower lets you reach more homes per storm.
- Sign up your customers before the first storm so you know your route and the order you will go in.
- Set a per-storm price for each home based on driveway size, and decide up front whether deep storms cost more, then say so in writing.
- Find out what nearby neighbors and plow services ask, so your price makes sense for your area.
- Whole-winter customers care most about being able to count on you, so tell them where they fall on your route and stick to it.
