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Written by: Carolyn Young
Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on May 9, 2021
Investment range
$5,550 - $12,100
Revenue potential
$36,000 - $75,000 p.a.
Time to build
1 - 3 months
Profit potential
$29,000 - $37,000 p.a.
Industry trend
Growing
Commitment
Flexible
Important elements to think about when starting your pool cleaning business:
You May Also Wonder:
How many pools can be cleaned in a day?
Well, this depends on several factors. You’ll clean more swimming pools if you have several employees to complete jobs quickly. The customer’s cleaning requirements can also determine how many pools you can clean in a day. It’ll take longer to complete a task if the pool requires repair and replacements.
What equipment do I need to start a pool cleaning business?
This depends on the services you’re offering. You’ll need more equipment if you’re doing repair and replacement in addition to cleaning. However, you can get started with a skimmer, water testing kit, leaf rakes, cleaning brushes, and pool chemicals as the bare minimum.
What chemical is used to clean pools?
Chlorine is commonly used to clean and sanitize pools. It helps kill bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms that can contaminate the water.
Is pool cleaning business profitable?
The profitability of a pool cleaning business can vary depending on factors such as location, competition, pricing, and the number of clients. However, with proper planning, efficient operations, and a good customer base, a pool cleaning business can be profitable.
How often should pools be cleaned and maintained?
Generally, pools should be cleaned at least once a week to remove debris, skim the surface, brush the walls and floor, and check and balance the chemical levels.
What are the common pool cleaning problems and how can I address them?
Common pool cleaning problems include algae growth, water chemistry imbalances, debris accumulation, equipment malfunctions, and water clarity issues. To address these, regularly check and balance chemical levels, maintain proper filtration and circulation, brush the pool walls and floor, test and adjust pH and chlorine levels, skim the surface, clean out baskets and filters, use pool covers when not in use, conduct routine inspections of pool equipment, and perform regular cleaning and chemical maintenance to ensure clear and sparkling pool water.
There’s more to being a pool cleaner than just showing up and wiping things down. Here are a few things you need to know for a successful launch.
Like any business, pool cleaning has its pros and cons.
Market analyst IBISWorld foresees continued market expansion as the number of pool owners increase along with interest in pool care and additional services.
The latest trends in pool cleaning include:
Challenges faced by pool cleaners are:
The startup costs for a pool cleaning company can vary depending on the pool care service you want to operate. While the initial capital needed can be as little as $2,000, you probably want to set aside at least $8,500 to get your business off the ground.
A significant portion of the capital goes toward equipment. You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your pool cleaning business. Here’s a list to help you get started:
Here’s a minimum startup cost breakdown for a pool cleaning business:
| Start-up Costs | Ballpark Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Setting up a business name and corporation | $150 - $200 | 175 |
| Business licenses and permits | $100 - $300 | 200 |
| Business cards and brochures | $200 - $300 | 250 |
| Used truck | $2,000 - $5,000 | 3500 |
| Tools and supplies | $2,000 - $3,000 | $2,500 |
| Insurance | $100 - $300 | 200 |
| Website setup | $1,000 - $3,000 | 2000 |
| Total | $5,550 - $12,100 | $8,850 |
Recurring annual costs include insurance, permits, and marketing. You’ll also need to regularly replenish your cleaning supplies.
Pool cleaners generally charge $80 to $100 per hour, or as much as $200 per hour if you also offer pool maintenance and repair. But your ability to complete jobs quickly and the number of new customers you gain every month will determine your income.
In your first year or two, you could work from home and confirm 150 3-hour bookings per year. At $80 per hour, you’ll be bringing in $36,000 in annual revenue. This would mean around $29,000 in profit, assuming an 80% margin. As you gain more clients, bookings could climb to 250 per year. At this stage, you’d raise your fee to $100 per hour and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 50%. With annual revenue of $75,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $37,000.
Starting a swimming pool cleaning business is pretty straightforward. But in some states, you can’t just decide to venture into the pool industry. You’ll need to be certified and undergo training before you’re allowed to clean residential or commercial pools. So it’s a good idea to get some training before you venture into this industry.
Before you become a pool technician, you could start by offering simple cleaning services such as skimming debris out of the water as you continue to hone your skills.
With the basics out of the way, it’s time to lay the groundwork for a successful launch.
Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.
Your direct competitors will be established cleaning companies in your area, and you could further narrow down by service or niche. For instance, if you clean commercial pools, you’ll be competing against companies targeting the same types of pools.
Research your competition to review their service offerings and prices and consider what you might do better. Ideally, you want to target an underserved segment of the market. It might help to narrow your focus to increase the chances of getting a foothold in the market and being able to build a reputation.
The pool cleaning business falls into two broad categories – cleaning and repair/maintenance. It makes perfect sense to decide which one you want to pursue early on to increase your chances of success.
Pool maintenance includes testing water pH levels, cleaning filter cartridges, checking water levels, vacuuming the pool bottom, and skimming debris from the surface.
Repair and replacement include fixing cracks and leaks in the pool structure, fitting and repairing pipes in pools and spas, replacing underwater lights, and fixing faulty pool cleaning equipment.
Nailing down a niche makes it easier for you to determine your potential customer, which in turn enables you to choose the best marketing strategy.
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 you’ll charge, such as:
We recommend you inspect the pool before giving a quote.
Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.
Once you’ve decided which segment of the market you want to pursue, the next step is to identify your target market, or typical customer. If you decide to focus on residential cleaning, your target market will be successful professionals and family homes often found in high-end suburbs.
If you choose to service businesses, potential commercial clients might include recreation centers, hotels, gyms, apartment complexes, and spas.
Since you’re not going to be driving hundreds of miles to clean a pool, the location of your pool cleaning business has a direct impact on your service area and potential customers.
In Florida, for instance, you’ll be able to clean and service a variety of pools year-round, while in New York you’ll mostly be working on indoor residential pools and spas, due to seasonal weather patterns.
As a rule of thumb, you’re better off locating your business in an area with a high concentration of pools.
In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.
When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:
Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:
Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these.
Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.
Here are the key components of a business plan:
If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.
Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.
Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!
Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to servicing pools.
If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.
Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your pool service will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.
Here are the main options:
We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.
Choose Your State
The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.
Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.
The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist, and taxes can be filed online.
It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.
Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:
Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a pool cleaning business.
Starting a pool cleaning business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.
To be a commercial pool cleaner, you’ll need to be a certified technician. In essence, this means you’ll take a certification program consisting of 15 hours of training and an exam. If you want to offer repair and replacement services for parts like pool railings, filters, or piping, you’ll need to apply for a contractor’s license.
Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits.
You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more.
You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.
This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.
If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.
Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.
Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your pool cleaning business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.
Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.
Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.
Here are some types of insurance to consider:
As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.
Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.
Good pool service software like PoolTrac and PoolCarePRO can manage your scheduling and employees and optimize payments to boost customer service and accounting.
Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.
You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.
They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.
Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:
Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your pool cleaning business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.
Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Some signature USPs for your pool cleaning business could be:
You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a pool cleaning business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been servicing pools for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections.
The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in pools. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.
If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a pool cleaning business would include:
At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.
Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.
Typically, pool cleaning is a 9 am to 6 pm business, but the schedule may vary depending on your customer. Most pool owners prefer pool cleaners and spa professionals who can make regularly scheduled visits. In essence, this means you should be open to working even during weekends.
Keep in mind also that a customer is more likely to hire a niched-down expert more familiar with their type of pool than a generalist. You’re now ready to start your entrepreneurial journey. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and launch your pool cleaning business!
Well, this depends on several factors. You’ll clean more swimming pools if you have several employees to complete jobs quickly. The customer’s cleaning requirements can also determine how many pools you can clean in a day. It’ll take longer to complete a task if the pool requires repair and replacements.
This depends on the services you’re offering. You’ll need more equipment if you’re doing repair and replacement in addition to cleaning. However, you can get started with a skimmer, water testing kit, leaf rakes, cleaning brushes, and pool chemicals as the bare minimum.
Chlorine is commonly used to clean and sanitize pools. It helps kill bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms that can contaminate the water.
The profitability of a pool cleaning business can vary depending on factors such as location, competition, pricing, and the number of clients. However, with proper planning, efficient operations, and a good customer base, a pool cleaning business can be profitable.
Generally, pools should be cleaned at least once a week to remove debris, skim the surface, brush the walls and floor, and check and balance the chemical levels.
Common pool cleaning problems include algae growth, water chemistry imbalances, debris accumulation, equipment malfunctions, and water clarity issues. To address these, regularly check and balance chemical levels, maintain proper filtration and circulation, brush the pool walls and floor, test and adjust pH and chlorine levels, skim the surface, clean out baskets and filters, use pool covers when not in use, conduct routine inspections of pool equipment, and perform regular cleaning and chemical maintenance to ensure clear and sparkling pool water.
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