How Much Do Pool Cleaning Companies Make

Step : Create Your Business Website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that its out of their reach because they dont have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldnt delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You dont need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Using our website building guides, the process will be simple and painless and shouldnt take you any longer than 2-3 hours to complete.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Why We Wrote This Post

Old posts, incomplete videos, or case studies focusing only on selling, you name it. In essence, there is so much stuff out there about starting a pool cleaning business that you can go on forever and still end up not finding anything useful.

We thought it would be useful to have one in-depth, step-by-step resource to guide new pool service companies. The idea is to help them focus on the fundamentals and in laying down a solid foundation.

We couldnt find one, so we wrote it ourselves.

How Difficult Is It To Maintain A Pool

Maintaining a swimming pool is not hard IF you have decent equipment, AND a decently built or installed pool, AND know the right things to do, AND do those things regularly and consistently. because if most pool owners did chemistry correctly, it would put the pool chemical companies out of business.

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Decide Which Niche To Concentrate On

As you strive to venture into this industry, you should know that the number of pool accounts that can be serviced in a day will rest on the type of pool service that each account receives, which can also serve as a niche idea. But you should note that businesses in this industry do not specifically channel their resources to just one niche, but tend to go generally for all activities in the industry.

There are typically two or three different types of weekly services that pool professionals will offer. The names of the services might vary slightly with each company.

• Income Example
• Commercial Pool Service

The Level of Competition in the Industry

We all know that swimming pools can be a haven on a hot day, a source of pride for homeowners, and a necessity for apartments, condominium complexes, hotels and motels. But keeping them clean and healthy is not a job for the uninitiated or those with no time apart from being unsightly, a dirty pool can be costly. It is important to state that individuals whose pools dont meet local health department standards can be fined or have their watering holes closed down, which can cost not only money, but also customers.

It is also important to note that the advantages of this lucrative business are that you can start part-time if you like with minimal investment you get to work outdoors and pool cleaners have a sort of mystique in our social consciousness.

Ramp Up Your Team And Business

While it is easy to fly solo and manage all appointments yourselves, eventually, there will come a time when you need additional help to manage the business. However, before you go ahead and hire your first employee, there are a couple of things that you need to do like filing documents and paying taxes to the government.

Before you get on a hiring spree, get an employer identification number. Once you have an employer identification number, register with your states labor department and get workers compensation insurance before setting up your payroll system to withhold taxes.

Although there are a few nice-to-haves like creating an employee handbook and bringing a NED on board, you may have to ensure that you have checked all the must-haves like filing IRS forms, posting required notices, and adopting necessary workplace safety measures.

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Pool Oil Absorbing Sponge

Oil absorbing sponges range in cost between $10 and $30 and are suitable for use in all pools. An oil absorbing sponge collects contaminants in the pool that cause scum build up, such as suntan lotion, body oils, makeup, cosmetics, pollen, etc. They are used by placing them directly into the pool skimmer basket or letting it freely float around. It can be cleaned with laundry detergent. These pool sponges are very effective and can be used all the time.

Register Your Pool Cleaning Business

Registering your business with your local and state government allows you to conduct business legally. The US Small Business Administration has plenty of resources to help you figure out how to register your business.

You can register your business under different business structures. Pool cleaning businesses are typically registered as sole proprietorships since youll be the only person working for the business early on.

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How Much Should You Charge

As stated above, the hourly charge to clean pools runs from $80 to $100. But pool cleaning prices often differ from one task to another. So, it would be best if you considered several factors before you determine how much youll charge, such as:

• The type of pool
• Fuel cost

We recommend you inspect the pool before giving a quote.

Once you know your costs, you could use the Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your price points.

Swimming Pool Maintenance By Material

Maintenance is a crucial component to pool ownership, ranging anywhere between $300 and $1,200. The cost of pool maintenance varies based on the type of pool material. You can expect to pay less for fiberglass pool maintenance compared to a concrete pool. The chart below highlights the three types of inground swimming pool materials with their respective maintenance costs, followed by a subsection explaining the type of maintenance involved and factors affecting the cost.

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Should You Start A Pool Cleaning Business

Starting a pool cleaning business isnt as simple as going door to door with a sweeping brush. It is going to require some work.

If youve assessed the pros and cons and decided that a pool cleaning business is for you, you have to decide if youre going to be just cleaning or doing maintenance as well.

One is quite a bit more complicated, but it will make it easier for you to find clients. In either case, you need to do quite a bit of research if you want to succeed.

Pool cleaning and maintenance businesses really know their stuff when it comes to pools. Unless youre willing to undertake the training needed to understand all of it, then starting a pool cleaning business might not be for you.

More pool cleaning tips at YOUR tips:

Plan For Growth When Setting Up Your Pool Cleaning Business With Optimoroute

If you already know how to start a pool cleaning business you should be thinking about how to make it more efficient and grow it for the long term.

Route planning and optimization will ensure that you can visit more of your customers in less time without spending as much fuel.

Gallagher Pools and Spas, a pool and spa installation and maintenance company based in Westminster, Maryland, leveraged OptimoRoutes platform to schedule their busy summer season and regular maintenance services.

OptimoRoutes pool maintenance scheduling capabilities saved their team an hour of drive time per service technician per day, which translated to a savings of 600 hours per month. OptimoRoutes optimized routes also saved them 8,000 miles in fuel costs every month.

Randy Gallagher loves the visibility OptimoRoute gives him. I can easily and quickly open the map to see who has what work left and reroute some jobs to other crews. The benefits are threefold: Its a big cost-saver because of overtime, it saves employees time, and it makes sure that all of the orders for the day are getting completed.

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How To Start A Pool Cleaning Business In 7 Steps

As anyone whos owned a swimming pool can attest, theres more to pools than pulling off the cover and going for a dip. Whether its in a backyard, a gym, or an Olympic stadium, swimming pools require regular, professional maintenance and upkeep. That provides an opportunity to start a business as a pool cleaner. After all, the U.S. pool cleaning industry totaled $6 billion in revenue last year and has experienced growth of more than 6% since 2014.

Its easy to see the appeal of starting a pool cleaning business. Youll often get to work outdoors and assist clients ranging from homeowners to hoteliers, and startup costs are typically only around $2,000. Meanwhile, professional cleaners can expect to make $50 to $60 per hour, with weekly full-time earnings of $2,000 to $2,400. Businesses that offer repairs in addition to cleaning services can charge significantly more .

But as is the case with any small business, you cant just jump straight into the deep end. Youll want to make sure youve put yourself on a path for success, both in terms of creating a thorough business plan and doing the research, certification work, and marketing necessary to help your pool cleaning business cut through the noise. Were here to help you do exactly that.

Ready to dive in? Heres how to start a pool cleaning business of your own.

Saltwater Pool Maintenance Cost

The maintenance of a saltwater pool is generally lower than that of a chlorine pool due to the fewer chemicals needed. Maintenance costs range around $25 to $40 per hour. The water still needs to be tested to look at ph levels and stabilizer and make any adjustments to the chlorine levels. Saltwater pool maintenance is focused on keeping the proper levels of salt in the water and preventing corrosion. Salt cells need to be cleaned regularly to wash off any calcium build-up. With proper care, salt cells should last four to six years or longer.

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Invest In Pool Service Software

Initially, it may look like spreadsheets and online forms are doing great for your business. However, as your team and business starts to expand you may need all the extra help that you can get. The first avenue is having a pool service management software that simplifies your day-to-day operations efficiently.

Pool service software like Zuper can help businesses create and maintain work orders effortlessly with improved visibility and collaboration. With a centralized database to collect all work-order related information, organizations can shorten service delivery timeline, reduce costs, and measure employee performance without any human intervention.

Zupers inbuilt reporting module gives an accurate view of the complete process at any time and speeds up decision making. 360-degree visibility and audit trails keep the pool service operation process transparent and reduce any scheduling errors. By automating pool service maintenance operations with Zuper, organizations can eliminate potential risks and compliance issues.

Swimming Pool Water Levels

Pools tend to lose water at a rate of approximately ¼ per day. A pool can lose water due to evaporation and also from people splashing and getting in and out. Maintaining the water level is critical in that it can ruin the pump if it falls below the skimmer baskets. The water level should be checked every time there is maintenance done on the pool. A simple way to ensure that the water is at the right level is to install a pool lever reader with an auto-open and shut-off valve that can be attached directly to your garden hose. This reader will cost as little as $12. Having a pool can increase your water bill by approximately $3 to $20 per month. This cost can vary based on location, size of the pool, and whether the pool is always covered, the amount of wind, sun, and humidity the pool receives.

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Weekly Pool Maintenance Cost

A pool owner can expect to pay around $20 to $50 for weekly pool service costs, all depending on the maintenance that needs to be done. Weekly maintenance typically involves checking pH levels, cleaning the filters, putting in chemicals to avoid stains and algae, and recognizing any malfunctioning equipment. If the pool is dirty, weekly maintenance can involve removing leaves and debris, emptying the skimmer basket, and brushing down the walls. The water levels are also checked to ensure they are at a good level for smooth functioning.

Get The Right Training From The Right Expert

While this may sound absurd, you shouldnt really start a pool cleaning business unless you have hands-on, professional pool cleaning experience. All pool cleaning experts agree to the fact that you need to get some previous experience in the industry if you aspire to strike gold.

Having relevant experience and training will come in handy when things go awry during initial startup days. In addition to giving you the expertise to run the business, the right training will help bring you up to speed about the existing market conditions and opportunities that are up for grabs.

Networking with industry experts and influencers will give you the right amount of edge that you need to succeed in the industry.

Working for someone else in the pool industry before you start your own pool cleaning service will teach you the ups and downs of the industry without getting your hands dirty.

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What Do You Need To Start A Pool Cleaning And Maintenance Service

If youre starting a pool cleaning and maintenance business, you need to be a lot more knowledgeable about how pools work. You will need to be able to source chemicals needed for pools and know about their effects.

This will likely mean that you will need access to a wholesaler to purchase these chemicals. If you have a lot of clients, you will use a lot of chemicals. Buying them at a regular store is going to become expensive.

You need an understanding of how filters, plumbing, and pool pumps work. To properly fix them and diagnose problems this is vital. You will probably also need certification if youre operating on different types of pools.

What Are Some Insider Tips For Jump Starting A Pool Cleaning Business

Cleaning pools is a seasonal business , and business owners need to prepare for the industrys ebbs and flows. The summer is typically steady, as people are using their pools. Spring and fall, when pools are opened and closed, can be extremely busy. The winter is often slow.

Business owners may be able to prepare for winters slow season by trying to find customers with indoor pools that are open year-round. Fitness clubs, high-end hotels and some apartment complexes may have indoor pools. With a few commercial accounts like these and some smart financial management, business owners might be able to get through this slow time of ear without having to find alternative employment.

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Is Shock The Same As Sanitizer

But the real difference is in the chemical strength and sanitizing power. Shock has a more intense chemical strength and is recommended for weekly use. Different from sanitizers, shock products raise the free chlorine level above 5 parts per million for several hours to destroy bacteria, algae and chloramines.

Swimming Pool Acid Wash Cost

Acid washing is the process of using a very strong acid, known as Muriatic Acid, to remove pool stains due to chlorine, algae, minerals, and dirt, costing between $350 and $550, depending on the size of your pool. During the process, the acid washes a thin layer of plaster off the surface of the pool, exposing a fresh, clean layer underneath. If you keep up with the maintenance of your pool, chances are you will only need to acid wash your pool every five to eight years. Acid washing is the strongest form of pool wash using harsh chemicals. If done too frequently, it can be harmful.

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Indoor Swimming Pool Cost To Maintain

Indoor swimming pool maintenance costs are lower than those of an outdoor pool because maintenance mainly involves keeping the pools chemicals balanced, and even those are cheaper per month because there is no sunlight to alter them. You dont have outdoor debris in the filters, nor do you have high water evaporation or outdoor weathering problems like UV rays. Additional items will make your indoor pool cheaper to maintain.

• Pool Cover This ensures you have no water evaporation, and an automatic cover will cost about $4,800$6,000.
• Water Heater – A solar heater designed for the purpose would cost nearly $340. You can install it on your own.
• Dehumidifying System This protects the building from moisture damage. The cost of a pool room humidifier is approximately $20,000.

Cost Of Pool Chemicals

Many different chemicals are required to maintain your pool and keep it running efficiently, ranging in cost between $10 and $80. These chemicals are used for different purposes and work together to create balanced pool chemistry so you can swim in peace. The type of chemicals required will depend on the type of pool you have, the condition, the size, and the use. The chart below lists the most common type of pool chemicals and their respective costs, followed by a subsection with an explanation of each chemical, its purpose in pool maintenance, and how/when a professional pool expert will use them.

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