How I Started My Pool Business — 2,000 Episodes Later

Episode 2000 is a milestone, so we keep it personal and practical: a new coaching member sends a long list of questions, and we answer them straight from decades in the pool service industry. If you’re starting a pool service business or trying to scale your pool route, this is the kind of nuts-and-bolts guidance that saves you months of trial and error.We start with the mistake that quietly drains more money than any broken pump: pricing too low. Then we sort profitable work from schedule killers, including why weekly service accounts win and why one-time cleanups and filter-cleaning-only jobs often don’t move your business forward. From there, we break down service pricing structures that customers understand, including a hybrid model that includes a reasonable chemical maintenance dose while billing for tablets and specialty products.We also get into the real-world setup: the essential tools you need on day one, what purchases to delay until revenue is steady, and the training resources that actually help with residential pool care and algae control. On the marketing side, we talk Google Ads, door hangers, what to do about gated communities and no-soliciting areas, and why advertising usually beats referrals early on. We even close with a surprisingly important detail most people overlook: picking a pool company name you can live with.If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a pool pro who’s starting out, and leave a review so more service techs can find the show.We celebrate episode 2000 by answering a new pool pro’s real questions about pricing, services, tools, training, marketing, and building a profitable pool route. We share the hard lessons that cost money early, then lay out simple systems that keep customers happy while protecting your margin.  • pricing too low as the fastest way to lose profit  • weekly service accounts as the core of a sustainable pool route  • one-time cleanups and filter cleanings as low-value distractions  • three pricing models and why a hybrid structure works  • defining a chemical maintenance dose and billing above it  • setting expectations so customers avoid surprise charges  • using a simple service agreement to prevent disputes  • buying only essential pool service tools at the start  • training picks including residential courses and algae-focused education  • getting first customers with Google Ads, door hangers, and smart targeting  • why early growth usually comes from advertising over referrals  • choosing a business name that will not confuse customers  Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com  The coaching program that I mentioned is available at PoolaiCoaching.com  Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA  REWARDS Apphttps://hasa.com/hasa-appThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits     [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits