How to Start A Pool Service Business

Swimming Pool Tips, Reviews & How To - SPL

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When I first started in the pool business back in 1988 there was not really any help or information on starting a pool business effectively. There wasn’t much technology back then, so you basically just got a truck and equipment and started. No RU-vid, no online forums, no real trade publications (except for Service Industry News). Fast forward to 2019 and we have all the information at out fingertips, but still knowing how to start a pool business is still a mystery to many.
I will just go over some of the basics for you here so that you will at least know where to begin. The first step is to make sure that this is something that you want to do as a career. Note that you will be working outside in the elements and it can get cold, hot and very windy making the job not as glamourous as it appears. It is also physical work and you will be doing some heavy lifting as well as a lot of walking. And last, you will need some good interpersonal skills as you will be dealing with customers on a regular basis.
The actual start-up cost for a pool service is low and you can get all of the necessary equipment and supplies for less than a $2,000. Then you would need a reliable truck or van and you are all set to go. Well, except for the licensing in your area and certification. These are the things that not too many people think about and are needed to start your service legally.
In many cities and counties, you will need a business license to do pool service. Depending on your state they may require you to be CPO (Certified Pool and Spa Operator) or at the least certified through the state. You won’t be able to get a business license until you are CPO Certified and, in the states, where the certification is not needed for residential pools, you will need it for Commercial Accounts.
To learn more about the CPO and how to get certified you can go to the NSPF website:
www.nspf.org/c...
Some counties also require you to pass a background check and a Live Scan and some cities will require you to have a Home Occupational Permit to work out of your home. Each region is different so check with your local city and county of the requirements for a Pool Service Business License.
There is also a limit on doing repairs in most states, here in Ca. the limit is $500 in total cost without a license. The license you will need is called a D-35 and you can get this contractor license after you have 4 years of experience and a contractor or like person sponsors you. You can certainly do small repairs and installations as part of your service and many pool service companies simply refer out the larger repairs anyway. So, this is not a critical aspect nor should it deter you from starting your pool service business.
You can learn more about the D-35 license here: www.contractor...
You will need a business license to open a wholesale account at your local pool wholesale location. In my Area this is through Pool Corp with the branch warehouses are known as SCP and Superior Pool Products. PEP or Pool & electrical Products are also in a lot of areas. Leslie’s Pool Supplies will also let you purchase products at a wholesale price. Just check in your local area for the nearest pool wholesale outlet and open an account to get wholesale pricing.
You may also want to join my coaching program where I can help you further as you set up your pool service business and I can answer your questions on a more one to one basis. Since there are many aspects of starting from taxes to billing the coaching program I have set up will better assist you if you are serious about moving forward. To learn more about my coaching program you can go to this site:
poolguycoachin...
Visit my Website: www.swimmingpoo...
eBook: www.swimmingpo...
RU-vid Video Index: poolmandave.blo... - A list of all of my videos.
Follow Me:
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Опубликовано:

15 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 32

@scottlandb6579 5 лет назад

Hey David, You should do a podcast on the “office end” of the pool business. Like how to invoice clients, like half my clients are billed on 15 & and the other half on 1st. What program you use to invoice, reconcile, get a p&l. If you do your own taxes or have an accountant. And most importantly how you get customers to pay on time & how you’ve managed bills & mortgage etc with a job where funds come in sporadically & your not getting a “standard paycheck”. Just an idea for another podcast. Keep up the great work. Love listening to your shows as I work accounts 👍🏼

@SPL 5 лет назад

Thanks for that. I will work on doing a Podcast on that end. I am lining up some interviews and one I am working on is the owner of the program Skimmer. 👍

@dutchvanderlin5556 3 года назад

NSPF and APSP is now PHTA (pool and hot tub alliance) for anyone looking now.

@eleminohpee9078 3 года назад

Thanks for the video, I plan on starting mine when I retire from the military here shortly.

@SPL 3 года назад

A great field to get into! 👍

@fusium 2 года назад

Not a good business to get into now a days with the chemical prices off the charts and shortages

@poke777890 2 года назад

Ok no easy way to ask so I’m just going to ask straight out and hope someone is brave enough to answer. What is the high and low profit in this business? How much do you gross per year?

@jerryfrates4572 5 лет назад

Thanks for the video, awsome stuff. Happy new year.

@Finfanpete 3 года назад

I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what type of license I need to start a pool maintenance service in lee and collier County (florida) I hear all kinds of different requirements and it just discourges me every time. Are there courses online that you can study and take the test?

@SPL 3 года назад

Most of the time you just need to pass the local health department test or get your CPO Certification and that is it. One or the other.

@artcasasola 4 года назад

Hi, where can I email you, at 7:28 you say we can email you and you will send us a copy of start up equipment we need, thank you in advance.

@dylan833-k2i 2 года назад

I was searching around your video to find something on pricing. I'm curious how much is reasonable to charge a customer to do weekly or biweekly service during the summer(general maintenance & balancing-not including the price of supplying the chemical). I guess the size of the pool and what the geography or nature around the pool would take into account to pricing and how much it is swam or Contaminated. Also starting out would you charge less as opposed to having lots of experience?

@SPL 2 года назад

It all varies by region. So you would have to do some "Cold Calling" of local companies

@brandoO9 3 года назад

Hello David, your channel has helped me so much with starting my own pool company. Thank you for everything you do. I have a question regarding getting new accounts. Let’s say the new account has a lot of scaling on the waterline.. would you charge an extra fee to remove that? It will take a lot of extra time and effort. Thank you sir!

@SPL 3 года назад

If it is really extensive you will need to refer that out to a bead blast/glass beading company.

@artcoin9699 Год назад

Hey brother, I’m just starting fresh to the industry. I’m in Los Angeles CA. Thinking of getting CPO or CPT certified. Where should I go for classes or testing? Thanks 🙏 in advance

@SPL Год назад

The Western Pool & Spa Show would be a great place to take the CPO course actually. In Long Beach in late march.

@heathermills1220 3 года назад

My husband has been working as a pool service tech for 19 years and now ready to open his small side gig on weekends but it will only be weekends how should he start with getting everything legit

@SPL 3 года назад

Basically he just needs a fictitious business name if he plans on not using just his last name. So he will go on the County website and do a name search. My guess is all of the good names are taken - "Clear Blue Pool Service," "Best Pool Service," and so on. Then he will need to go down to the city you live in and get a business license. That is basically it. I also suggest general liability insurance through SPPA.

@SOULJALOS Год назад

How would I sub contract a repair? Like do I need to write up a contract between whoever is doing the repair and I?

@SPL Год назад

Not usually. The best way is to have them contact your customer directly.

@SOULJALOS Год назад

@@SPL I see and the referral fee is usually based on trust or word of mouth I assume?

@microsoftwindowslover8346 5 лет назад

Great video! How was your Christmas and your new year?

@SPL 5 лет назад

Very good. Back to work for me...

@telmomenjivar1990 2 года назад

Hey David, I follow your channel long ago, my question is, how to know my prices are right, not too high, not to low?

@SPL 2 года назад

It's hard to say. You would need to cold call a few service companies in your area or ask the other pool guys/gals at your supplier - casually.

@fusium 2 года назад

With chemicals they way they are now there is no answer for this just saying. We raised our rates last year and are going to have to go up again due to chemical's.

@welfaredaddy6368 2 года назад

@@fusium How is the price of chemicals affecting your business currently?

@fusium 2 года назад

@@welfaredaddy6368 Well some of the chemicals seem to be going down some. So that's a good thing. We did raise our prices up a few months ago so that helped out a lot. Right now we are doing ok as long as the chems keep coming down we will see.