How to Start A Pool Cleaning Business in 7 Simple Steps
Running your own business is an exciting choice.
Of course, you get to be your own boss. But that is not the end of the story. The flexibility and freedom it brings along are life-changing. However, running a business comes with its own set of challenges. So, you have got to make sure that the field you are going to jump into ensures profitability. And pool service business is definitely up there in the mix.
The last five years have seen an overall increase in pool cleaning services business by roughly 8.1% between 2017 and 2023. As of 2023, there are an estimated 84,128 businesses in this industry which boomed by 8% in one year alone between 2021 and 2023. With a market size of an estimated $6 billion employing over 90,000 employees, it’s the perfect time to get into the race and grab a piece of the pie. But in order to join the crowd, you need to know how to start pool cleaning business.
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This article holds all the necessary information you’ll need to start a pool cleaning business which will turn a profit and allow you to join such a large industry. Just follow these simple steps and see your pool cleaning company taking its flight to the next level.
Table of Contents
1. Learn the Business
Cleaning a pool is more than scrubbing the sides of the pool and cleaning out the filter. It takes a lot more to keep it in proper condition. You need to learn how to start up a pool for the first time, how to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, what chemicals to use, how to install a pool automation system, and so on.
It is always a good idea to learn by working with a professional pool cleaner. Try to work with more than one pool expert as you train. You’ll want to be able to answer questions about long-term care for different types of pools. Trade shows and pool chemical supply stores are also great ways to learn the business and build your network. Go to a certified contractor and work with them. Or if you don’t have the time to learn all these by yourself, you can always hire trained technicians who will take care of the fieldwork. In any case, it is advisable to be aware of the ways of the trade
2. Plan Your Pool Cleaning Business
Before you launch the company, develop a clear, comprehensive business plan. A business plan is a good way to pull together your research and help you set goals for the first few years to run your own pool cleaning business. Take time and write the plan carefully. It should include thorough market research, competitor survey, current market practices, financial projections, service lists, pricing plans for your pool cleaning service, marketing strategy, as well as your company’s mission and vision.
Having a clear business plan will help you execute your strategies effectively. But more importantly. It could be key to securing funding or financial aid if and when necessary.
3. Register Your Pool Cleaning Business
This is the first step to making your pool business official. Before you start promoting your company, you need to register it with the state. The process varies depending on your location. But the general process is as described below:
i) Name your business. Make sure it is not already in use by any other entity
ii) Choose a structure to form your business as a legal entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation)
iii) Apply to federal, state, or local government (as necessary) to register your business with the state
4. Complete Legal Formalities
Once you establish your business as a legal entity, take care of all the legal requirements. You will need to obtain some legal permits and licences at this point. Although the specifications depend on where you are based, there are slime general requirements that you need to fulfil.
Such as:
- Business license
- Local permits
- EIN
- Tax ID
- Pool cleaning business insurance
It is also advisable that you open a separate business bank account and a credit card for your company. Keeping your personal and business transactions separate is always a good idea to keep your finances transparent and error-free
5. Build Your Brand
Once you set up your business as a legal entity, it is now time to establish it as a brand. If you want to bring in clients, you need to figure out how you’re going to market your pool cleaning business. And that’s where marketing strategy comes into play. Decide how you are going to bring the customers in. You might start with the traditional door-to-door promotion, distributing flyers, asking for referrals, and advertising in your local newspaper. But a more effective way to build your brand today is to go the digital route, i.e. invest in digital marketing.
To this end, start with building your own website and designing a logo that catches people’s attention. Having your own website is a great way to gain credibility as a business as well as create brand value. You might also want to leverage social media to create brand awareness. Post on different social networking sites, engage with potential customers, and see your brand gaining recognition way faster than traditional marketing methods.
6. Hire Employees
To run a growing business, you need to take in as many work orders as possible. For this, you will need a team of skilled pool service technicians. So, hire your employees carefully. Make sure they have the necessary knowledge, experience, and most importantly, license/certification for the job. Besides, pool cleaning and maintenance staff, you will also need people to handle electrical and plumbing-related tasks to operate a successful pool business. This way, you can add pool automation and maintenance to your service list as well, and subsequently, increase pricing to make more profit.
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7. Buy Necessary Pool Equipment
As an individual pool cleaning business, you can’t always depend on your customers to have the right pool cleaning equipment at their place. Even if you cannot afford to provide each team member with their own cleaning gear, it is good to have some essential equipment in the company inventory that team members can check out while completing a job.
Listed below are some of the essential pieces of equipment required to clean pools:
- Leaf rakes
- Poles
- Hoses
- Skimmers
- Brushes
- Vacuum
- pH test strips or Chlorine-pH test kits
- Algaecide
- Disinfectants like chlorine
- Sanitizers (Alkaline or acid-based)
Along with the tools, you will also need one or more service vehicles to travel between job sites as well as carry the equipment. If you already own a truck, it will save you some money. But as your business grows and more job orders start pouring in, one vehicle may not suffice. So, it is advisable to keep some funds aside from your profits.
If you have reached this point, you are now ready to launch your business and get on the streets. Having said that, you might still have some lingering doubts before you invest your hard-earned money into the business. So, here are some most frequently asked questions about starting a pool service business. We hope they satisfy your doubts and help you get started.
8. Frequently Asked Questions about Starting A Pool Cleaning and Servicing Business
Pool cleaning involves a lot more than just skimming debris and leaves out of the water. Most leading pool companies offer complete cleaning, maintenance, and repair services to their clients. It includes testing the chemical levels and adding chemicals as needed to prevent bacteria growth. It includes cleaning out all baskets that are built to catch debris. Cleaning the filter cartridges to ensure the right amount of water pressure can get through is an additional cost. It also includes cleaning the bottom by either brushing or vacuuming. A final step in cleaning involves backwashing or using the water from your pool to rinse dirt and debris from the filter. Besides, pool cleaners may also repair plumbing and electrical issues in the pool. Today, pool automation and maintenance have become another highlight of pool services. If you want more customers, you must ensure that you meet all these demands and stay ahead of the competition.
How much do pool cleaners make? Is the business really profitable? Well, you will be surprised to know the answer. A pool service business owner roughly makes about $50 to $60 per hour cleaning pools. Working full time, this comes to $2,000 to $2,400 per week. A business owner that does this additional work such as minor repairs or maintenance to pool equipment may bring in as much as $85,000 annually. You can also sell supplies to pool owners who want to clean their pools themselves. This can provide an additional stream of revenue and help the business find more customers.
The license and certification for running a pool service business vary from state to state. But in most states in the U.S., you need to be a Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO).CPO certifications provide the training you need to know your way around a pool, including the necessary chemistry knowledge, safety requirements, and best practices. They aren’t required in every state to operate a pool cleaning business, but they help you get the knowledge you need to offer a higher quality of service.
As a pool cleaner, you need to be careful of two major things– i) chemicals and ii) electrical hazards. As for pool cleaning, chemicals are a necessity. But one must take precautions while handling them. Else, they might cause chemical burns, breathing problems, and even cardiac issues. To avoid mishandling the chemicals, safety gears are a must. Safety protocols are to be followed while storing these chemicals as well. Maintaining pool pumps. filters, spas, or other mechanical parts also entail electrical hazards, which can cause severe injury or even death. Safety precautions are to be maintained at all times to avoid these mishaps.
The most effective way to increase efficiency in your business is to automate the process. By using software and other digital tools, you can eliminate manual errors in your admin operations, which will result in improved productivity, better scalability, enhanced customer service, and in turn, more profit. The best way to automate a pool service business is to employ pool service business software. It is essentially a custom field service management software specifically designed for pool service companies. It provides all-around automation support to your business and helps streamline your processes.
What is The Best Pool Service Software?
To take advantage of the latest technology and the most advanced features, sign up for Field Promax. It has been chosen as the #1 pool service software by the leading pool service companies all over the country and beyond, and for good reason.
Field Promax has been designed with the needs of small and medium pool service businesses in mind. It is built to cater to all your automation needs with the provision for further customization. However, the basic plan offers every feature you can possibly need, including scheduling and dispatching, work order management, estimates, asset tracking, repeat order management, billing and invoicing, monitoring, reports and analytics, GPS monitoring, integrated mobile app, cloud storage, QuickBooks Online integration, and much more. All these are available at an amazing price, along with 24/7 customer support. There is no better choice for a new pool servicing company than this on the market.
For more information on pricing and features, contact Field Promax today!
