There’s Money in Pool Maintenance
The popularity of residential pools in the past decade opens up a huge opportunity for anyone considering getting into the pool cleaning business. In fact, it would be safe to say that most mid-priced homes more than likely have a pool or they are seriously considering it. A pool not only provides recreation, it also adds value to a home.
Yes, it seems that more and more homeowners have taken the plunge (so to speak) and have decided to install a swimming pool, but are completely caught off guard by the amount of maintenance they require. Not only do they require a great deal of work in the spring (opening), and in the fall (closing), they also need to be maintained throughout the summer season. While a typical homeowner may do the work themselves, eventually they start asking if it’s the best use of their time. That’s where you come in: The pool cleaning entrepreneur.
A pool maintenance company is one lucrative business for many reasons. First of all, you are providing a service that many homeowners find unpleasant and repetitive. Secondly, you are providing a service that requires skill. Professional pool maintenance requires training and education. You just can’t decide that you’re going to clean pools and open a business. For this reason, competition is not as cut-throat as other service businesses. As a result, a pool cleaner can charge market rates for their services.
Even if you’ve got no background in pool maintenance, there’s nothing stopping you from getting a little experience with an established company for a few seasons. This, along with some very excellent professional pool maintenance books available, will give you everything you need to start your own business in this lucrative field.
Before you start, you should have all your paperwork and licenses in order. If you’re not sure of the requirements, head down to City Hall and they can point you in the right direction. Another consideration is obtaining liability insurance before you step foot on anyone’s property. There is always the potential for accidents and in this business mishaps can be very expensive.
Additionally, you may want to consider obtaining certification with the NSPF (National Swimming Pool Foundation). In fact, any certification you can get in the industry is a bonus. Once you’ve paid for the course and passed, you can advertise this in your sales material. Additionally, a certification can help you get any necessary government permits.
Even though you may classify yourself as a pool cleaning service, there are many other add-on services that you can pick up as you gain experience. Some of the most profitable business comes in the spring when people are opening their pools, and in the fall when they are closing down for the winter. Most homeowners don’t open and close their own pools.
It’s not unusual to be working seven days a week in the spring and fall. In fact, after you’ve been in business for a while, you may find that you’re unable to take any more appointments during prime time.
In the summer, much of your business will consist of maintaining pools. This includes professionally vacuuming them on a regular basis, and possibly adding chemicals as needed. In some cases, you may even have the homeowner turn over all aspects of pool maintenance to your company. Although most homeowners will do their own light maintenance, such as emptying the skimmer, light vacuuming, and adding chemicals, there are those that simply don’t want to be bothered with any maintenance at all.
In other cases, the homeowner maintains the chemical levels, but will call you for anything more than that. A good example of this is the classic “green pool.” This is what happens to a pool when it’s been neglected or wasn’t prepped properly for the winter. In this case, the homeowner is in over his head and needs a professional to get his pool back to acceptable levels. Such specialty services are priced accordingly.
Starting a pool maintenance company requires a significant initial investment. One of your biggest purchases will be a late-model van and signage for your vehicle. Simply sticking on a few magnetic signs won’t cut it. You’ll be competing against some of the larger companies that have opted for a complete vehicle graphics package. In this business, image is everything. Many of your customers will take notice of your professional image.
Besides your vehicle, a portable pool vacuum will be your biggest expense. Expect to pay between $1000 and $10,000 for this device. Most fall in the $4000 range. Nothing says professional like the guy who owns this piece of equipment. The rest of your supplies should consist of miscellaneous items such as a leaf net, skimmer, chemicals, and so on.
Did I mention that you need to know how to swim? For one thing, you will be working at the edge of the pool all day and there’s always a chance you could slip and fall into the deep end.
Another thing to consider is a catchy business name. Choose something that people will remember, but also symbolizes the business you are in. Avoid predictable, cliché names – try to be as original as possible while maintaining the “summer/pool/refreshing/cool” theme.
Your work attire could consist of swim trunks and a collared shirt with your company logo. You want to be the beach bum without looking like a beach bum (try to get into the whole “pool” theme). Make sure that your clothing is clean and free from tears. On the other side of the scale, you also don’t want to show up looking like a maintenance worker. People won’t expect you to be wearing pants and safety boots.
Although the pool maintenance business is not a typical low-cost startup venture, there is a lot of potential to make your initial investment back fairly quickly. The opportunities are virtually unlimited when it comes to how much work you take on and, ultimately, how much money you make.
Keep in mind that your business won’t be steady throughout the year. You’ll have periods where you will be working seven days a week (spring and fall), and then other periods where your business is shut down for months at a time (winter). Fortunately, you’ve got the summer to look forward to and it doesn’t get any better than going to work in swimming trunks.
Leave a Comment