How to Start a Pool Cleaning Company

Thinking about venturing into the clear waters of the pool cleaning industry? While peak season comes every summer, swimming pools need maintenance across seasons to stay in top shape. Dip your toes in and enjoy a steady stream of repeat business all year round. 

Let us show you how to start a pool cleaning business. From learning the tools of the trade to offering the right mix of services—and all the technical and legal nuances in between—you’ll understand what it takes to blow your customers out of the water. 

Learn the Pool Cleaning Profession

Learning to become a pool service professional is different from earning a four-year degree for an office job or even attending a two-year HVAC program. Professional training requirements vary based on your location, and your state may or may not require you to become a Certified Pool and Spa Operator. Even if credentials aren’t required, obtaining this certification ensures you have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide proper, excellent service to customers.

Give yourself every opportunity to hone your expertise. Getting your head and hands involved in learning will help you grow and inform you how to start a pool cleaning business that uses best practices. 

Get hands-on experience.

Why not learn from other pros? Working for another local pool service business can provide valuable learning opportunities as you train to start your own company, offering practical experience in safely applying and tracking pool chemicals.

Practice.

Once you’ve trained a bit, put your skills into action. While you grow as a new professional, offering discounted or free pool cleaning services for friends and family is a low-risk, low-pressure way to hone your skills.

Network.

“It’s all in who you know” is true when you’re learning how to start a pool cleaning business. Attend trade shows or visit pool supply stores to connect with industry experts. The relationships you build can provide support throughout your career.

Continuously learn.

New tools and cleaning methods will help you and your business evolve and remain competitive long into the future. Keep learning to establish yourself as a trusted local expert.

Develop a Business Plan

Knowing how to start a pool cleaning business successfully means collecting all of your grand ideas and refining them into concrete plans. Create a business plan before diving in headfirst, taking your time developing what you want your business to be. 

A business plan serves as your road map to go from dream to reality, and it should be easy to follow: 

Start with a cover page and a table of contents.

Keep everything organized and include a one-page executive summary that highlights your business. This should include your goals, market approach, and financial expectations, and it’ll set the stage for a deeper dive into your pool service business.

Provide a clear business overview. 

Detail your services (one-off pool cleanings, recurring maintenance plans, and specialized services) and identify your ideal customers (residential homeowners or commercial property managers). And don’t lose sight of the industry. Market research can help you with pricing, understanding the demand in your area, your earning potential, and service gaps your business can fill.

Include the odds and ends that help your business shine.

Outline your marketing plan for attracting customers with online promotions, local ads, or referral programs, and define staffing goals by projecting how your team might expand as you grow. 

When all is said and done, crunch the numbers. This is important because it’ll give you a financial snapshot of your business, including startup costs, expected first-year income, operating expenses, and your salary expectations. 

Get started with these tips.

Want to make a splash with your new pool service business? Venture into the deep end to build your reputation:

• Network with builders, real estate agents, and home improvement stores.
• Attract customers with introductory pricing and trial packages.
• Try new techniques to improve service as your customer base grows.

Understand Legal Requirements

As you begin your journey as a pool service business, get familiar with and adhere to any relevant legal requirements. Many are largely determined by your location, so begin by researching requirements for a business license, contractor’s license, chemical handling permit, and commercial vehicle permit in your area.

But you also need to legally set up your business in other ways to operate responsibly, minimize risk, and maintain tax compliance: 

Register the business with your local registry. 

While it may take some time, protecting your business is no joke. The process is relatively straightforward: Just pay the registration fee, trademark your pool service business name, and register your domain.

Choose a business structure.

There’s more than one way to operate a business. Weigh your options and decide between various structures:

• Sole proprietorship: The most cost-effective business structure uses just the owner’s Social Security number but puts personal assets at risk without a separation between the owner and the business. 
• Partnership: Two or more owners share responsibilities and liabilities, with each owner’s personal assets remaining at risk. 
• Limited liability company (LLC): The business structure separates personal assets from the business’s liabilities to protect against legal action or debt.

Apply for an EIN.

If you plan to hire employees or have a business partner, you’ll need an employer identification number (EIN). You’ll use your EIN to pay employment taxes, withhold taxes on nonwage income for nonresident aliens, and operate as a partnership, LLC, or corporation.

Obtain insurance coverage.

Safeguard your pool cleaning business against everything from theft to weather damage to legal issues. Work with a trusted agency to create an insurance policy that suits your needs, including:

• General liability insurance for protection in case of personal injury or property damage
• Commercial auto insurance to protect your fleet of pool service vehicles in case of collisions or damage
• Workers’ compensation to cover on-the-job injuries, medical care, and lost wages for employees
• Equipment insurance to cover your facility and pool cleaning equipment

Necessary Equipment List for Pool Cleaning Businesses

A key piece of starting a pool cleaning business is having the right tools handy no matter what. Accessories, equipment, and tools help your team complete each job without breaking too much of a sweat. 

Don’t skim over this equipment.

Think about everything—big and small—your pool cleaning business needs to operate. You’ll need the basics, such as repair tools, pool vacuums, leaf nets, and skimmers. But be prepared to also invest in heavy-duty equipment to get into every nook and cranny, including:

• Telescopic poles with attachments
• Water testing and chemical treatment supplies
• Automated vacuum systems
• Pool repair equipment
• And more

If this sounds overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. You can opt to buy supplies as needed instead of up front to save on costs. And if each service vehicle already has key tools loaded and available, your team can better adapt to expand service capabilities on the spot.

Average Cost to Start a Pool Cleaning Business

As you navigate how to start a pool cleaning business, one question is obvious: “How much will this cost me?” The answer is more complicated. At the lower end of the spectrum, you can get up and running for as little as $2,000-$5,000. But your investment can also vary based on different expenses.

Consider these expenses.

First, think about what you’ll pay to legally run the business. General liability insurance costs an average of $29 per month for professional services, while registering as an LLC costs $50-$520, depending on your state.

But also consider what you’ll use each day. Pool testing kits cost up to $200 each to test pH, chlorine levels, algae, bacteria, and alkalinity, while vacuums—especially automatic tools—cost up to hundreds of dollars. And how is your team getting around? Service vehicles cost $24,000 or more each for used top models.

Follow these tips for budgeting.

The idea of paying for everything—supplies, rent, insurance, and everything in between—as you get going with your pool cleaning company can quickly become overwhelming. You can take several steps to mitigate operational costs and help your business grow:

• Lease tools and equipment instead of buying them to start.
• Market through social media for free on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms.
• Use free business tools before you go all in on pool service software.
• Budget for travel—including gas—and regular vehicle maintenance.
• Plan for payroll if you will have a staff and wish to keep growing.
• Open a wholesale distributor account to buy discounted bulk chemicals.

If starting your pool service business seems out of reach, take a beat. Look into small business financing options, such as a Small Business Administration loan, small business line of credit, or equipment loan.

Next Steps for Starting Your Pool Cleaning Business

Stop wondering how to start a pool cleaning business and start doing it! Take the first steps toward building your company:

• Research pool service training programs in your area and whether specific credentials are required.
• Download and fill out a business plan template to begin brainstorming your offerings and potential differentiators.
• Evaluate financing options, including loans and lines of credit.

And once you’ve found your footing, keep optimizing your operations. Service Fusion helps you manage the day-to-day with our all-in-one pool service software that improves estimates, scheduling, payment features, and more. We’re ready when you are.