If you dream of starting your own pool cleaning company but don’t know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. Launching a service business from the ground up is challenging, but also rewarding.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to do to build a successful pool cleaning company, from picking a business structure to marketing your new venture to streamlining operations in ways that support business growth.
Laying the groundwork: structuring and registering your pool cleaning business
As a pool cleaning entrepreneur, the first thing you’ll need to decide is how to structure your business. The two most common options for service businesses are:
- Sole Proprietorship: The simplest structure for service businesses, it’s easy and low-cost to set up, but you have unlimited personal liability for the business.
- Single Member LLC: Provides the liability protection of an LLC, so your personal assets are shielded from business liabilities and debts, with the simplicity of a sole proprietorship.
Next, you should register your business with your local state government. This allows you to pay business taxes, open a business bank account, get a business credit card, and access funding. Registering your business as an LLC or sole proprietorship helps you gain credibility and take advantage of tax benefits.
Depending on your state and what kind of services you’ll provide, you might need to register for specific business licenses. For example, if you plan to repair or replace pool fittings like lights or railings, you might need a contractor’s business license. If you’re in New Jersey, you don’t need a license to clean residential pools, but you do for commercial pools.
Equipment essentials: investing in the right tools and supplies
To get your pool cleaning business up and running, you’ll need high-quality equipment. After all, the right tools are essential for enhancing productivity, ensuring quality work, and achieving success. Here are the basics you’ll need for any pool cleaning business, although if you plan to specialize or add services like pool repair or pool maintenance, you might need more tools and equipment.
Pumps and filters
At the heart of any pool cleaning operation, pumps and filters circulate and clean the water. Look for energy-efficient models with adequate flow rates for residential and commercial pools.
Hoses and vacuums
Heavy-duty hoses, pool vacuums, leaf rakes, and pole caddies will make cleaning pools a breeze. Look for hoses at least 1.5 inches in diameter, and vacuums suited for concrete or vinyl pools.
Test kits
Water test kits let you properly balance pH levels and sanitize pools. Basic kits measure pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and cyanuric acid, while more advanced kits can test for phosphates, nitrates, and metals like copper or iron.
Business management software
Every service business needs a business management software like vcita, which includes scheduling and invoicing software. This makes it easy for customers to schedule and pay for services and streamlines your tasks like creating estimates, invoices, and payment receipts.
Building your client base: marketing and advertising your new venture
Building a loyal customer base is key to the success of any service-based business. As a pool cleaning company, your customers will make or break you. Focus on three key areas to attract new clients and keep the ones you have: marketing, advertising, and customer service.
Create an appealing website
To establish your online presence, create a professional website that includes details about your services, experience, and contact information so potential customers can easily learn about your services and get in touch. You’ll also want an online booking system, like vcita, that allows clients to schedule services and pay right on your website. Add your booking widget to your site, social media profiles, and email newsletters to extend your reach.
Spread the word online and offline
Once your digital footprint is established, start informing people about your new business through social media, email newsletters, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth. Post frequently on neighborhood Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and community message boards to raise awareness about your business, and send out regular email newsletters to build relationships with existing and potential customers. Don’t underestimate the power of recommendations; ask clients to leave positive reviews, and to recommend your services to their friends.
Invest in strategic advertising
You’ll also need to leverage advertising to promote your business. It’s worth starting with the free options like social media, community websites, and email before investing in paid ads. If your budget allows, Google and Facebook ads are a great way to reach more potential customers. You can also drop off flyers and business cards at local pool supply stores, gyms, community centers, and anywhere else people with pools may frequent.
Over-deliver on customer service
Once you start getting calls and bookings, focus on providing exceptional customer service, because happy, loyal customers will become your best source of repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Do a great job, show up on time, build personal relationships with your clients, and make sure to resolve any problems quickly and courteously.
Streamlining operations: how online booking and scheduling software helps your business thrive
Once you’ve established your pool cleaning company, the next step is streamlining your operations to maximize efficiency and revenue. Online booking and scheduling software, like vcita, can help on multiple fronts. Here are the main ways pool cleaning business management software can set your business up for success.
Automated appointment scheduling
Manually coordinating appointments by phone or email is time-consuming and frustrating for you and your customers. An online booking system lets clients schedule, reschedule or cancel jobs 24/7 through an automated booking widget on your website. You’ll gain back hours each week, avoid the hassle of playing phone tag, and increase customer satisfaction.
Valuable business insights
Scheduling software provides data and analytics that help you make better decisions. Track which services are most in demand, see your most and least profitable customers, measure job frequency, and more. Then use these insights to adjust your marketing, set competitive rates, or add new services.
Timely reminders
Online booking systems can capture details about each appointment, like the customer’s name and contact information, and then send automated email or text reminders a day or two before the scheduled date. This simple step can significantly decrease costly no-shows and last-minute cancellations and help improve your cash flow.
Mobile access
A mobile-optimized online booking system gives you and your staff access to your daily, weekly, and monthly schedule as well as full customer details through a mobile app, even when you’re on the go. Make updates or check the schedule from anywhere to ensure all jobs are properly staffed and accounted for each day.
Keys to ongoing success: best practices for pool cleaning companies
Once your pool cleaning business is up and running, focus on building a loyal customer base through best practices, because your reputation is everything.
Double down on service
Deliver exceptional service by being punctual, professional, and thorough. Clean each pool like it’s your own, and pay attention to details to go above and beyond for your clients. Build personal relationships so you can address each customer by name, and get to know your customers and their specific needs.
Train your team for excellence
If your cleaning service business grows, you’ll need to hire help, but you want a team that can provide the same level of care and service as you do. Practice intelligent hiring and training by clearly defining your standards and expectations and providing hands-on guidance, and retain employees with competitive pay and benefits.
Streamline operations
Use scheduling and business management software like vcita to handle bookings, billing, marketing and more. The platform makes it easy for customers to schedule and pay for services online, automates estimates, invoices, and receipts, and sends automatic reminders about upcoming bookings and payment due dates. Route optimization features also help you schedule jobs more efficiently to reduce travel time and maximize productivity.
Institute a culture of continuous improvement
Regularly survey your customers and employees for feedback, and constantly look for ways to improve operations, enhance training, upgrade equipment, and better serve your clients. Stay up to date with the latest pool cleaning techniques, tools, and technologies, so you always offer the best service in town.
Your pool cleaning company can be a reality
Starting any service business takes dedication, but with the right tools and systems, you’ll be on your way to building a successful pool-cleaning empire. By focusing on service, optimizing operations, and continuously improving, you’ll build a thriving business through highly satisfied, loyal customers. There will be challenges along the way, but if you begin with a sound business structure and work ethic, you can realize your business dream.
