Landscaping companies across New Jersey who plow snow have been sitting, waiting and losing money with the lack of snow this winter.

Cedar Hill Landscaping, in Somerset, has been plowing for the state during snowstorms since the early 2000s, but never before have they had so little work as they have this winter.

“Over the last 10 years, we’ve had a low of about $60,000 billed out for snow work and a high of 250,” says John Janho. “This year we filled out about 48, so the average being about 150, we are way behind.”

No snow and warm temperatures has a successful company such as Cedar Hill Landscaping already planning for spring.

“People are already starting to do their topsoil and stuff earlier, which is a good thing, but you never know if the season is just going to end earlier or it’s going to get real choppy because when it rains this time of year, it’s not like summer where you’re dry in a day or two,” says Janho.

The lack of winter work leads to layoffs at larger companies such as Cedar Hill and trickles down to negatively affect smaller landscaping companies as well.

“They are going to be strapped for cash heading into the season, so as they come in to purchase from me with a 30 day-term, they’re going to need 60 and 90 days to get on their feet,” says Janho.

The worst-case scenario is some of the smaller business owners have to shut down and go back to work for bigger companies since they can’t make payments in the equipment they’ve purchased as part of their start up.