HOULTON, Maine — Two years ago, Jason Monroe decided that he wanted to earn more money without having to commit himself full time to the constraints of a second job.
He considered several avenues, including selling real estate or painting houses, but decided that the jobs would require time he simply didn’t have.
It was only when a friend suggested that he get into snow removal that he found an idea that he liked and to which he could commit.
“At the time, I didn’t have any of the equipment I needed,” he said Tuesday. “I had a pickup truck, but I didn’t have a plow or even a snowblower. I knew that it would take a significant investment up front, but I felt that I would get that money back pretty quickly.”
Monroe said that the winter of 2017-2018 was pretty much a “building year,” in which he advertised his services and gained some clients.
“I got started pretty late for snow plowing, because I didn’t start working until late December 2017,” he said. “By the end of the winter, I had just a handful of clients. We really didn’t get as much snow as I had anticipated, either.”
He said that he simply had to hope that this winter would be better. Immediately, he was correct.
“I think this has been a fantastic winter for anyone who does any kind of snow removal,” he said. “I only have two more clients than I did last year and I have nearly made double the amount of money.”
Caribou has received 149.4 inches of snow since last October, which is 66.9 inches above the normal value of 82.5 inches. In contrast, in March 2018, 128.4 inches had fallen in Caribou, which was 27.6 inches above normal.
Mark Hanning of Caribou also has made “much more” money shoveling driveways and walkways than he did last year, he said Monday, although he was not sure of the exact figure.
“It seems like I have been out at least two or three days a week,” he said. “I am either doing snow removal or I am laying down salt for people. I don’t mind it at all. The more it snows, the happier I am.”
Chris Murchison, another Caribou resident, agreed. He has a side job snow blowing driveways and walkways, and he said that he has also seen his income increase “substantially” this year.
“I think I have probably made at least $500 more than I did last year,” he said. “This year, I’ve also shoveled a few roofs for people which has added to my income.”
Despite his happiness, however, he admitted that the work is getting “a bit old.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing some melting going on,” he said.
