Startup cost
$2k–$15k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Pool Cleaning Business
Decision Snapshot
Pool Service
Idea Score
59
Profit margin
11%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
2 wk–8 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Medium
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start a Pool Cleaning business - Background
People all over the United States like to go swimming, and many of them head to a swimming pool when they want to take a dip. Keeping the many swimming pools in the country clean and operating properly is major business. According to IBISWorld, the swimming pool cleaning services industry is a $3 billion industry. With no single company dominating the industry, there’s plenty of opportunity for new business owners who are interested starting up a business that cleans and services pools.
You may also be interested in additional low cost business ideas.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Pool Service business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a pool cleaning business?
The startup costs for a pool service business can often be kept to as little as $2,000 (not including any licensing fees). Most capital is put towards equipment and supplies. A business will need water test kits, cleaning chemicals, skimmers, brushes and leaf rakes. Purchasing chemicals in bulk helps keep costs low, although it increases the initial investment slightly.
Business owners also need a vehicle that’s large enough to transport their supplies. Trucks, SUVs and trailers are typically big enough, and some crossovers will suffice. In order to keep startup costs low, many business owners begin by using their personal vehicle if it’s large enough.
What are the ongoing expenses for a pool cleaning business?
The ongoing expenses for a pool service business include supply costs, fuel costs, and vehicle repairs, maintenance and depreciation. Altogether, ongoing expenses account for about 20 percent of a business’ revenue.
Who is the target market?
While most pool service businesses clean and maintain individual’s pools, a business’ ideal customer is a business or organization that has a commercial pool (e.g. a hotel, apartment complex, condominium property, gated community, school, park or fitness center). Commercial pools take longer to clean, but pool service businesses are able to charge more for cleaning them. They also are used by more people and, therefore, frequently need to be cleaned more often. Some commercial pools may need to be serviced weekly, or even two or three times per week.
How does a pool cleaning business make money?
A pool service business makes money by charging for cleaning swimming pools and making minor repairs to pools.
How much can you charge customers?
How much a pool service business charges customers depends on several factors, including how frequently the customer’s pool is serviced and what’s done during the service. According to HomeAdvisor, pool service costs average:
- $177 for weekly services
- $267 for bi-weekly services
- $190 for monthly services
- $266 for opening and closing only
How much profit can a pool cleaning business make?
A pool service business owner will make about $50 to $60 per hour cleaning pools. Working full time, this comes to $2,000 to $2,400 per week. (There may not be full-time work available in the offseason).
How can you make your business more profitable?
A pool service business owner can increase their hourly wage to between $150 and $200 per hour if they both clean pools, and perform minor repairs or maintenance to pool equipment. A business owner that does this additional work may bring in as much as $85,000 annually.
Pool service businesses 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.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a pool cleaning business?
A pool service business owner spends a lot of their time going to customer’s locations and cleaning their pools. A typical cleaning may involve:
- Driving to a customer’s site
- Checking the pool’s water and adding chemicals as appropriate
- Emptying debris baskets, cleaning the pool’s filter and similar tasks
- Looking over the pool’s equipment and making any necessary minor repairs
- Leaving a bill and driving to the next customer’s site
When not cleaning customers’ pools, business owners schedule cleanings, market their business, order additional supplies and maintain their equipment.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pool cleaning business?
A pool service business owner needs to be familiar with how to both clean and service swimming pools. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) offers a Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification (CPO) Program that’s widely respected in the industry. To become certified, business owners must either attend a two-day, in-person class or complete a blended class that includes one day of in-person instruction and a day of online training.
In addition to the NSPF’s CPO class, several businesses also offer courses, some of which are free. Pool Care Directory has an email course, and HD Supply provides three-hour classes on pool maintenance.
Finally, there are a number of books and ebooks available on pool cleaning. The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance and Swimming Pool Basics for Servicing Professionals are two resources that business owners might want to review or keep as references.
What is the growth potential for a pool cleaning business?
A pool service business may be a single-person operation, or it can be a large company. Many business owners never hire employees and simply clean pools in their area themselves. Others grow their business into regional or national chains. An example of a local business is Belleair Pool Service & Supply. America’s Swimming Pool Co., a national franchise.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a pool cleaning business?
Cleaning pools is a seasonal business (even in the Southern United States), and business owners need to prepare for the industry’s 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 winter’s 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.
How and when to build a team
Many pool service business owners never hire employees. Those that bring on employees usually hire their first employee once they have more customers than they can serve themselves.
Part 2 - Is a Pool Cleaning business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Pool Service business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Pool Service Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Pool Cleaning business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.