Omaha landscaping business anticipating snow in metro to bolster income

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – According to First Alert 6 meteorologists at this point in the season, the metro is seeing its 3rd lowest snow total on record.

A lack of snow might be a relief to some but for Omaha based landscapers, it can be a struggle. These businesses offer snow removal and with no snow on the ground, it could make or break their year.

Landscaping businesses like Kozy Lawn Care offer snow removal while the ground is too hard for lawn care. Owner Joe Kozol says in previous years, his crews would have completed 2 or 3 plows by now.

“On an average snow its 8 hours, if we get more than 4 inches it can be 20 hours, it can be 15,” said Joe. “It just depends on how much it snows and how long it takes to fall.”

Kozol says 2010 was the last year where snow business was very good. Since then, consistency has been an issue.

“We did not have any snow last year until the middle of January,” explained Joe. “When that hit that was a great two weeks but other than year, force salting is all we have done so far.”

Currently, Joe’s removal crews consist of 4 year round employees compared to 20-30 on a busier year. He can hire more if the demand picks up but even finding crew members can be difficult.

The hours can be late in the evening/morning and some prefer more steady work. Joe tells First Alert 6 the cost of keeping equipment up and running is pricey. Salt accumulation can damage trucks and plows, costing thousands of dollars.

“A plow is $12-13 thousand now, a brand new truck is $50,000 depending on what quality you get and which truck you buy,” said Joe.

In the meantime, Kozy Lawn Care has been picking up minor work as it comes.

“We get a call for a clean up here and there but if there is snow on the ground that is not worth it. We have done a couple of saltings but no snow,” said Joe. “We are just basically painting trailers, changing tires, changing oil, just trying to keep everything serviced and ready for the first snow.”

Joe says the trucks are loaded up and ready to go once snow hits the ground.

“Now that we have had a full month to prepare I feel like I am really ready to go,” said Joe. “We will know when we get out there if everything is ready.”

Some snow is predicted on Friday and Sunday, but nothing significant.

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