A Season To Celebrate

Another week and another snowstorm. Working conditions may not be ideal, but for the landscape contractor companies and individuals who clear parking lots and driveways, the weather has been golden. Landscape contractor Chris Mohr of Cutchogue said his plow crews call the snow ?EUR??,,????'?????<

With seven trucks, seven plows, two payloaders, a backhoe and other equipment, Mohr began the season well prepared. But he didn’t expect he’d need to hire yet another worker, a full-time mechanic.

Depending on driveway size, a homeowner could pay between $55 and $175 to have a Mohr crew clear away the snow. Ice melt is another $19 a bag.

Similarly, Scott Butler of Absolute Clarity Snow Removal said this winter has proven a boon to his business, even if it’s a burden to residential and commercial customers.

“We’re driving trucks, not bulldozers,” Mr. Butler said about difficulties of plowing through large amounts of snow. Mr. Butler’s customers pay $85 to $200, depending on the size of the job.

“In this economy, a lot of people have been shoveling by hand,” he said.

Both men wish people would call for service in advance of storms. Once the crews are out and about, it’s not easy to schedule new customers, Mr. Butler said.

Regular customers on Mr. Mohr’s list can expect a crew to show up when there are four inches or more of snow. If only a few inches fall, you’ve got to call.