How To Start A Pool Cleaning Business

Starting a pool cleaning business isn’t just about scooping leaves and tossing in a little chlorine on a balmy afternoon — it's a wild ride that can leave you sunburned, soaked, and with stories your friends won’t believe. 

Picture this: it’s barely sunrise and you’re already wrestling your pool vacuum and telescopic pole into the back of your truck, only to find your GPS has you navigating a maze of cul-de-sacs. On site, there’s a grumpy gardener blocking the driveway and a bored housewife peeking through the blinds to see if you’re doing it right.

By 10 a.m., you’ve already had a run-in with a stubborn patch of algae, a skimmer basket full of something that might once have been a squirrel, and a chemical balancing act that would impress a circus performer. Of course, there’s always the risk of falling into the pool — with bonus points if the homeowner catches it on their security camera! And let’s not forget the classic: stepping back after standing on something smelly and falling into the pool.

But that’s the reality (and the comedy) of running a pool service company. You’re not just a pool cleaner: You’re an aqua-chemist, an amateur animal control officer, and sometimes, the only person standing between a peaceful backyard and total aquatic chaos. 

“You might consider working for someone else to see if you really want this life. You pay attention to the good and not so good aspects of the business and see if you can do better than your employer.” — Make_meifucan via Reddit

If you can laugh off a little sunburn and don’t mind the occasional cannonball from a rogue child or a naked swimmer doing backstroke at 7 a.m., you might just be cut out for this gig.

Still interested? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll break down what it really takes to launch a pool cleaning business. 

Understanding the pool cleaning industry

The pool cleaning industry is growing fast — around 7% a year, according to this Latest Global Market Insights report. 

There are many reasons for this, if you read the 2025 State of the Industry Report from Aquamagazine.com: 

• A lot of people had new pools or spas installed during COVID, when it was safer to stay home.
• Even post-COVID, the rising cost of living means people prefer to spend time with friends and family in their own backyards, instead of going out. 
• Many pool owners don’t have the time to maintain their own pools.
• Fewer people have the skills they need to keeps their pools in top condition.

Pool cleaning businesses serve a wide customer base, from homeowners with backyard swimming pools to property developers with new pools and commercial pool owners. 

The key to success is finding your target market and offering pool care that stands out from the competition.

Startup costs: Here’s what you’ll really spend

Let’s talk numbers. When you’re starting a pool cleaning company, the last thing you need is to blow your budget on a pool vacuum so fancy it needs its own business license. 

The good news is that startup costs for a pool cleaning business are lower than many other home service businesses. These are the main things you need to budget for:

• Pool cleaning equipment: $500–$3,000 for a solid pool vacuum, skimmer nets, telescopic pole, brushes, and testing kits for water chemistry and chemical balancing.
• Vehicle: A used truck or van ($5,000–$15,000) is your mobile HQ for pool service calls.
• Business license: $50–$500, depending on your state or city.
• Business insurance: General liability insurance ($500–$1,200/year) is a must. If you hire help, add workers’ compensation insurance.
• Marketing: $200–$1,000 for a website, social media setup, and business cards with your business name and logo.
• Pool service software: Not required on day one, but a lifesaver for business operations as you grow.

Plan for total upfront costs of between $2,000 and $20,000, depending on how small you want to start. 

Five steps to turn pool cleaning into a serious business 

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to build a serious business rather than a side hustle, there are some basics you need to get right 

1. Choose a business structure: Most pool cleaning business owners start as a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC), which provides a safety net for your assets.
2. Register your business name and get a business license.
3. Open a business bank account to keep your finances organized.
4. Check for certifications: Some states require a contractor license or CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certificate, especially for commercial pools.
5. Get business insurance: Don’t skip this. Pools are slippery, and accidents happen.

Gearing up: What pool cleaning equipment do you actually need?

You don’t need a truckload of gadgets, but you do need the right tools for your own pool cleaning business:

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💡 Pro tip: Don’t skimp on a good pool vacuum! It’ll save your back and enhance your reputation with pool owners.

Pricing, profit margin, and getting paid

Setting your pricing is part science, part art, and part “how much will the Joneses pay?”. 

You don’t need a 50-page comprehensive pool cleaning business plan —  you just need to know the market and what you’re worth. 

Most pool cleaning services charge $80–$150 per month for weekly residential pool maintenance. Commercial pools and specialty maintenance services (like pool repairs or hot tub cleaning) can command higher prices.

• Profit margin: Once you’re established, expect 30–50% margins if you keep your expenses in check.
• Financial projections: Figure out your break-even point by dividing your monthly costs by your average service price.
• Invoicing: Use pool service software or simple invoicing tools to keep your cash flow healthy and avoid awkward follow-ups.

Use route optimization to increase profitability 

The more pools you can service each day, the more you can earn. There are two ways to do this:

1. Spend less time cleaning each pool. But that usually means cutting down on service quality, so you’ll end up losing customers. This is not a recommended strategy. 
2. Spend less time on the road between jobs. This is non-billable time that still costs you money in wages and fuel. So less drive time means an all-around win. 

Experienced pool techs report they can handle about 10-12 full-service pools a day, on average. But a lot depends on how far you have to travel between pools. 10 pools in one gated community will get done a lot faster than 10 pools spread across a city. 

Here’s how route planning software like Routific can help you clean more pools per day:

• Route optimization algorithms can create routes that are 20-40% shorter than those created by human planners.
• Shorter routes mean fewer miles travelled, fewer hours on the road, and less gas used. 
• Fine-tune service time settings to get an accurate schedule that uses up all the time available — but no more. 
• Take service time windows into account. For example, some HOA pools aren’t open before 9am — you don’t want to waste time waiting outside a locked gate.

• Provide accurate arrival windows and automated notifications to keep customers informed.

Here’s how the numbers can work out, assuming city driving at an average speed of 30mph:

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That $2.30 saving per pool is pure margin you can reinvest — whether that’s better test kits, a part-time assistant in peak season, or simply a healthier bottom line.

Standing out: Marketing strategies that work

The pool cleaning business is competitive. Like every small business, you’ll need to make a splash with your marketing plan. Here’s what to focus on: 

• Word of mouth: Referrals from happy clients are gold. Don’t be afraid to ask for them.
• Social media: Share before-and-after photos, pool care tips, and the occasional “oops, I fell in again” story to connect with potential customers.
• Local SEO: Create a Google Business Profile to make it easy for customers to find you, even if they’ve never heard of you. Use keywords like “pool cleaning service near me,” “pool maintenance,” and “commercial pool cleaning” on your website to attract homeowners and business owners searching for help.
• Networking: Partner with landscapers, realtors, and property managers — anyone who can send new customers your way.
• Online reviews: Encourage pool owners to leave reviews. A five-star rating can do more for your client base than any billboard.

A day in the life of a pool cleaning business owner

Here’s where the rubber meets the pool deck! Most days start early — sometimes before sunrise, especially in the summer. You’ll load your truck with pool cleaning equipment, double-check your route, and hit the road for your first stop.

Here are four aspects of the job you need to be aware of. 

• On-site work: Skim, vacuum, brush, test, and balance. Rinse and repeat. Some days, you’ll battle algae growth that laughs at your chemicals. Other days, you’ll be dodging cannonballs from kids or explaining to a pool owner why their swimming pool is turning green (hint: it’s usually the filter or the skimmer).
• Admin time: In between pools, you’ll be updating your schedule, answering calls, and following up on referrals. Some clients will want to chat; others will barely notice you’re there.
• Surprises:You will fall into the pool at least once. You will get sunburned. And you will, at some point, have to explain to a customer why their pool vacuum isn’t a toy for their dog.
• End of day: Clean your gear, send invoices, and maybe squeeze in a little marketing or social media posting.

Growing your pool service business

As your client base grows, so does the chaos, unless you stay organized. This is where pool service software becomes essential to help you juggle routes, water-chem logs, invoices, and customer texts. A dedicated pool-service app keeps it in one place, so you can spend less time in spreadsheets and more time on deck.

What to look for in pool service software

• All-in-one workflow: Keep scheduling, route optimization, water-chem tracking, photo logs, and invoicing in the same system.
• Mobile-first design: You want an app that enables you to do all the important stuff from your phone. Offline access is an added bonus when you’re on the road and data coverage is patchy.
• Chemistry tools: LSI calculators and dosage prompts save guesswork (and liability).
• Proof-of-service records: Date-stamped photos and GPS breadcrumbs protect you when customers query a job.
• Flexible billing: Look for software that offers a choice between flat-rate or per-visit invoicing, tracks chemical surcharges, and allows you to take cards or bank transfers.
• Fair, scalable pricing: Look for per-tech or per-pool plans that won’t punish you as you grow.

Here’s how the three leading pool cleaning business apps compare:

¹Public list prices shown on vendor sites as of May 2025. Always confirm current offers.

Putting the software to work

1. Map your workflow: List every step, from pool reading to invoicing, and note how much time you spend on each. 
2. Test drive the apps: All three platforms offer free trials. Load a week’s route and run each app side-by-side with your current system.
3. Measure the difference: Compare miles saved, hours billed, and days-to-paid invoices after a month. The right app should cut your admin time enough to pay for itself within the first month.

Choose the platform that matches your service mix and growth plans, and you’ll spend fewer evenings pushing paper and more mornings adding profitable pools to the route.

Is the pool cleaning business right for you?

We can’t give better advice than this long-term industry pro: 

“Cleaning pools... that’s the easy part. Running a pool cleaning business... is a completely different animal!” — GCPools on Reddit

If you just want to clean pools, start out working for someone else. If you want to take on the responsibility of running your own business, you’ll need to learn all the other aspects of entrepreneurship as well, from marketing to filing taxes. 

Pros of running a pool cleaning business

• Low startup costs, steady demand, and recurring revenue.
• Flexibility to scale into commercial pools, pool repairs, or even hot tub maintenance.
• There are lots of bad pool service companies, so you have a chance to stand out from the crowd.

Pool service business cons

• Physically demanding
• Lots of competition, and the occasional grumpy customer.
• Working outdoors in all weathers. Heat can be exhausting and dangerous, especially in places like Arizona.
• You’ll need to manage cash flow, keep up with invoicing, and handle business insurance.

If you’re ready for hard work, a few laughs, and the satisfaction of turning swampy swimming pools into backyard oases, this new business might be your perfect fit. 

Good luck — and don’t forget the sunscreen!