How to Start a Pool Cleaning Business in 9 EASY Steps

If you're looking for a solid business opportunity that allows you to work outdoors, be your own boss, and be profitable, then you'll want to know how to start a pool cleaning business.

In this article, you'll discover how to start a pool cleaning business that allows you to:

• Choose your own work hours
• Take part in a high-demand industry
• Quickly start turning profit with a few pro strategies

Before you dive into this business, it's essential to understand the industry, plan your approach, and set yourself up for success.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the key steps to start and grow a thriving pool cleaning business.

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1.Tap into Industry Experience

Prior to starting a pool cleaning business, it's important to be aware of your local regulations. For instance, some states require you to become a CPO (i.e. Certified Pool Operator) before servicing pools.

Keep in mind, the pool cleaning business encompasses a range of services, including regular maintenance, chemical balancing, repairs, and equipment replacements.

For these reasons, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of these services and the unique needs of pool owners in your area.

By having adequate industry experience, you'll have all of the first-hand insight needed to:

• Keep clients happy with smooth operations
• Seamlessly manage everyday business tasks
• Perform top-of-the line pool cleaning services

Plus, you’ll have an idea of how a pool business operates, and you’ll acquire the necessary skills to start your own pool cleaning business.

In addition, you can build relationships with other industry professionals and vendors through your place of work and conferences. These networking connections can become great resources in the future.

In addition, research the local competition, pricing strategies, and client preferences. Identify any gaps or opportunities in the market that you can capitalize on, such as offering eco-friendly or specialized services.

2. Choose a Name for Your Business

Remember, the best business names are memorable and unique while also including any important information.

For example, if you have a specific service area, then you'll want to include that in your business name. Alternatively, if you have any niche services (e.g. repairs, commercial cleaning, etc.), then you'll include that too.

Before moving forward with your business name, check to see if the domain name is available. Also, you'll need to verify it's available in your state's registration database.

3. Meet With a Trusted CPA

A trusted CPA (i.e. certified public accountant) will help you with:

• Registering your business
• Setting up a business bank account
• Calculating the right prices for your services
• Gathering financial projections and funding information to create a solid business plan

In addition to your business plan being helpful for your financial advisor CPA, it also opens the door for you to acquire a small business loan.

Even though a financial advisor presents slight upfront costs, it’s an extremely valuable asset to your business.

Your financial advisor can help you to determine how low you need to keep your overhead costs as well as what prices you need to set to meet your goals.

In order to establish a successful business, a CPA is essential.

4. Create a Business Plan

Use the financial information your CPA compiles in order to create a solid business plan.

Plus, if you seek outside help from investors or small business loans, they’re going to ask for your business plan.

Your business plan should include:

• Cover page: logo, business name, contact information, business address, and stakeholders
• Executive summary: company history, mission statement, business goals/objectives, and competitive advantages
• Business overview: company summary, company ownership, start-up summary, etc.
• List of service offerings: list of necessary equipment and local high-demand services
• Market analysis summary: demonstrates your ability to have success in the local market despite the competition
• Business strategy: detailed overall business strategy and pricing structure
• Implementation summary: explanation of how you'll meet goals and be successful in your local market
• Management summary: payroll, sales revenue per hour, etc.
• Financial plan: detailed demonstration of your business' scalability based on financial projections as well as any funding requirements

In addition, business plans help you stay focused on clear goals, keep organized, and prepare for the unexpected.

5. DON’T WAIT to Get Business Insurance

Before accepting new clients, it's VITAL to get business insurance.

By far, business insurance is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your business from potential financial and legal implications.

Plus, business insurance also protects the valuable equipment you’ve invested in.

At a bare minimum, these are the three policies you should consider carrying for your new business:

• General Liability Insurance
  • Protects you and your employees from property damage where you’re at-fault.
• Workers Compensation Insurance
  • Protects you if one of your employees gets hurt on the job. It’ll pay anything from lost wages, doctor’s visits, hospital stays, to other medical bills.
• Property Insurance
  • Protects anything from equipment to the computers at your office.

Additionally, a few other insurance policies you can consider are:

• Business Owner’s Policy
• Cyber Liability Insurance
• Commercial Auto Insurance
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Commercial Property Insurance

Talk with an insurance agent to create an insurance policy that meets your individual business needs.

6. Purchase Equipment and Chemicals

The services you offer (e.g. cleanings, repairs, residential, commercial, etc.) will largely impact what equipment and chemicals you'll need to purchase.

Here are a few basics to get you started:

• Pool vacuum heads and hoses
• Telescopic poles and attachments (e.g. nets, brushes, etc.)
• Cleaning products (e.g. chlorine, shock, algaecide, pH test strips, etc.)

However, every pool is different so minimize upfront costs by waiting to purchase specific items, such as pool filter materials.

7. Find Clients

Before you can begin hiring techs, you'll need to know your hiring needs based on the amount of clients you have.

Take a look at a few basic marketing strategies you can utilize to begin getting getting clients:

• Establish your branding with uniforms and truck wraps
• Establish an online presence with social media engagement and ads
• Create a professional website and logo (freelancers are great for this!)
• Use flyers, door hangers, and business cards to establish local awareness

8. Hire Technicians

If you plan on hiring technicians, you’ll need to fill out an online application with the IRS for an EIN (i.e. employee identification number) if you’re in the United States.

Although, the process is different in Canada, where you’ll have to fill out an application for a SIN (i.e. social insurance number).

While, you might not plan on hiring employees right now, this process is pretty simple, so it might be a good idea to get it out of the way now.

In turn, when you’re in need for new employees, you can hire them more quickly since everything will already be processed.

9. Take Advantage of the Best Software

By far, one of the best ways to grow a successful business is by taking advantage of the best pool service software.

It might not seem important now. However, when you start out your business on the right foot, you’ll be able to fast track success by streamlining everyday processes like:

• Instant invoicing
• Simple marketing
• Time spent on jobs
• Rapid route optimization
• Asset and chemical tracking
• Quick estimates from anywhere
• Same-day automated payments

When you choose the best pool cleaning software, you’ll have the power to quickly scale your business.

Plus, Service Autopilot documents all of your everyday:

• Job history
• Invoicing history
• Before/after photos
• Job and property notes
• Important client information

With Service Autopilot, you can automate daily tasks and access everything you need in one simple place.

Automations is the  #1 way to follow up  with clients. If you’re not using it, your business might still be successful - but it won’t grow. 

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In Service Autopilot, our automations send emails and texts to:​

Every lead after an estimate is completed

Clients after their property has been serviced​

Remind leads and clients to send you customer feedback​

Update outdated or declined payment information​

Inform them when a service can’t be completed due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather)​

Remind them of maintenance tips (i.e. putting a cover on the outdoor faucet before the winter)​

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How to Start a Pool Cleaning Business That’s Wildly Successful

Now, you have all the tools and information you need to know how to start a pool cleaning business that’s wildly successful.

Even though there are a long list of processes you have to undergo to start a profitable pool cleaning business, this article simplifies the process.

Starting a pool cleaning business can seem intimidating, but when you utilize the advice and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to growing a long-lasting business!

Related: Pool Cleaning Pricing: The Ultimate Guide for Your Business

Originally published May 6, 2021 4:27 PM, updated May 10, 2024 12:33 PM CT