Pool Scouts is adding leak detection as a new service, giving franchisees another way to bring in revenue while helping customers solve a problem that often surfaces during routine maintenance. Because technicians are already keeping a close eye on pool conditions, the service is a natural extension of the work many operators are already doing.
“We're in our fifth year this season, and in the past, we’ve started paying attention to just how many pools have leaks,” said Charlie Hook, owner of Pool Scouts of Hartford in Connecticut. “In November at our convention in Dallas, it all just clicked. You’re talking about something, and then suddenly the pieces are right in front of you and you make the decision. Within a couple of minutes, I said, ‘I’m interested,’ because I realized all we really needed to do was find where the leak is.”
Leak detection fits seamlessly into Pool Scouts’ day-to-day operations. Because pools are regularly serviced, the signs of a leak often appear quickly through abnormal water loss or increased chemical use. By adding leak detection, franchisees can respond proactively instead of directing customers to third-party providers.
“Chances are if you have a pool and it has water in it, it is going to leak at some point, and our technicians are our first line of defense,” said Trent Rountree, senior franchise technical coach for Pool Scouts. “They might not be the ones who are going to be performing the other service, but they are trained enough to notice when the water's low or if there's a leak or something going on. We look for all of these things.”
To support the rollout, the Pool Scouts corporate team partnered with Anderson Manufacturing to provide hands-on training and access to professional-grade equipment. Franchisees were introduced to the service at the brand’s annual convention before participating in a two-day training session in Raleigh, North Carolina. The training combined technical instruction with real-world application, allowing franchisees to work on active leaks and see immediate results.
“We spent two days working on a pool with an active leak, using all the tools,” Hook said. “We can already think of at least a dozen pools where we’ve suspected or confirmed leaks, and now we’ll be able to go in with confidence and have a technician handle it.”
The training also focused on helping franchisees understand how to use the equipment, interpret results and follow a consistent process in the field. By pairing manufacturer guidance with hands-on experience on active leaks, the program gave operators the confidence to invest in the service and begin implementing it within their own territories.
Pool Scouts is leading with leak detection and diagnosis rather than immediately promising repairs. This positioning allows franchisees to stay within their expertise while still opening the door for additional services when appropriate.
“You don't just walk in and say, ‘I'm going to fix your leaks,’” Hook said. “You're committing to diagnose it. That, we can commit to.”
The service also requires a meaningful investment in equipment and training. Hook estimated startup costs in the range of $10,000 to $11,000, along with dedicated time to properly train a technician. Still, he believes the return justifies the commitment.
From a business standpoint, leak detection gives franchisees a new way to increase revenue while maintaining control over the customer experience. Instead of outsourcing repairs, operators can keep more services in-house and strengthen their role as a trusted provider.
“Anytime we can capitalize on fixing the problem for a customer, keeping it in-house and also bringing in that extra revenue, it just grows the revenue of all of our locations that much faster,” Rountree said. Modern detection tools also help reduce time on the job, which can lower costs for customers and improve margins for franchisees.
Beyond revenue, the service reinforces Pool Scouts’ broader strategy of becoming a one-stop solution for backyard care. “When we're back there, we want the customer to know that we have all of their needs under control and they can trust us,” Rountree said.
As the brand continues to expand its service offerings, leak detection represents a practical step forward. It allows franchisees to solve a common problem, increase profitability and deepen customer relationships, all while building on the foundation they have already established in the field.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.
The startup costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $115,445 to $152,920. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/.
Pool Scouts
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The brand’s newest service offering helps franchisees capture additional revenue while improving customer service and keeping more work in-house.
Pool Scouts is adding leak detection as a new service, giving franchisees another way to bring in revenue while helping customers solve a problem that often surfaces during routine maintenance. Because technicians are already keeping a close eye on pool conditions, the service is a natural extension of the work many operators are already doing.
“We're in our fifth year this season, and in the past, we’ve started paying attention to just how many pools have leaks,” said Charlie Hook, owner of Pool Scouts of Hartford in Connecticut. “In November at our convention in Dallas, it all just clicked. You’re talking about something, and then suddenly the pieces are right in front of you and you make the decision. Within a couple of minutes, I said, ‘I’m interested,’ because I realized all we really needed to do was find where the leak is.”
Leak detection fits seamlessly into Pool Scouts’ day-to-day operations. Because pools are regularly serviced, the signs of a leak often appear quickly through abnormal water loss or increased chemical use. By adding leak detection, franchisees can respond proactively instead of directing customers to third-party providers.
“Chances are if you have a pool and it has water in it, it is going to leak at some point, and our technicians are our first line of defense,” said Trent Rountree, senior franchise technical coach for Pool Scouts. “They might not be the ones who are going to be performing the other service, but they are trained enough to notice when the water's low or if there's a leak or something going on. We look for all of these things.”
To support the rollout, the Pool Scouts corporate team partnered with Anderson Manufacturing to provide hands-on training and access to professional-grade equipment. Franchisees were introduced to the service at the brand’s annual convention before participating in a two-day training session in Raleigh, North Carolina. The training combined technical instruction with real-world application, allowing franchisees to work on active leaks and see immediate results.
“We spent two days working on a pool with an active leak, using all the tools,” Hook said. “We can already think of at least a dozen pools where we’ve suspected or confirmed leaks, and now we’ll be able to go in with confidence and have a technician handle it.”
The training also focused on helping franchisees understand how to use the equipment, interpret results and follow a consistent process in the field. By pairing manufacturer guidance with hands-on experience on active leaks, the program gave operators the confidence to invest in the service and begin implementing it within their own territories.
Pool Scouts is leading with leak detection and diagnosis rather than immediately promising repairs. This positioning allows franchisees to stay within their expertise while still opening the door for additional services when appropriate.
“You don't just walk in and say, ‘I'm going to fix your leaks,’” Hook said. “You're committing to diagnose it. That, we can commit to.”
The service also requires a meaningful investment in equipment and training. Hook estimated startup costs in the range of $10,000 to $11,000, along with dedicated time to properly train a technician. Still, he believes the return justifies the commitment.
From a business standpoint, leak detection gives franchisees a new way to increase revenue while maintaining control over the customer experience. Instead of outsourcing repairs, operators can keep more services in-house and strengthen their role as a trusted provider.
“Anytime we can capitalize on fixing the problem for a customer, keeping it in-house and also bringing in that extra revenue, it just grows the revenue of all of our locations that much faster,” Rountree said. Modern detection tools also help reduce time on the job, which can lower costs for customers and improve margins for franchisees.
Beyond revenue, the service reinforces Pool Scouts’ broader strategy of becoming a one-stop solution for backyard care. “When we're back there, we want the customer to know that we have all of their needs under control and they can trust us,” Rountree said.
As the brand continues to expand its service offerings, leak detection represents a practical step forward. It allows franchisees to solve a common problem, increase profitability and deepen customer relationships, all while building on the foundation they have already established in the field.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.
The startup costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $115,445 to $152,920. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/.
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