The pool service business is benefiting from a simple reality: There are more pools to maintain, and more homeowners who do not want the hassle of doing it themselves. In many markets, that demand is being amplified by another factor — customers who are unhappy with their current provider and willing to switch for better communication, consistency and trust.
Rene Burrows, a Pool Scouts franchisee in South Jersey, said demand in her market reflects both the post-COVID boom in pool construction and a service gap left by less responsive competitors.
According to Burrows, the industry is still seeing the effects of the surge in inground pool construction that followed the pandemic. But growth is not just coming from new installations. It is also coming from homeowners who feel underserved.
“The biggest thing that I see is the growth from COVID, with so many inground pools put into the system. So many people were building,” Burrows said. “But not only that, there’s also the poor service that people have received from other competitors out there and from some of the pool builder companies that are out there. Those companies are not as personal when it comes to needing things for your pool.”
That combination has created a strong opening for pool maintenance and repair companies that can offer a more dependable experience. For many households, pool care has become one more responsibility they would rather hand off, especially in an economy where time feels tight and schedules are packed.
While repairs and equipment work can add meaningful revenue, Burrows said recurring service is what gives the business its foundation. Ongoing maintenance creates consistency for the operator and often leads to stronger customer relationships over time.
“I would have to say that the recurring services are where that revenue is truly coming in,” Burrows said. “Getting that person in the door, having them understand what service we provide, where they’re very content with that service and they just want to continue it because we make it seamless, that’s really the key factor. Yes, there’s a lot of revenue that comes in from doing the repairs, but I feel like you have to have the commitment from the customer first, who feels like they can trust you in the process.”
That trust can determine whether a homeowner calls for a one-time fix or stays on for weekly service. In a category built around repeat visits, reliability matters as much as technical skill.
Homeowners are also asking more from service providers than they did a few years ago. They want quick communication, clear pricing and proof of what was done. Burrows said digital tools have become central to meeting those expectations.
“A lot of them really do prefer the text messaging process. Sending them those notifications, letting them know, ‘Hey, we’re out here. This is what’s going on,’” Burrows said. “They really appreciate those reports that we send out, the before-and-after photos telling them what we did, so they know and they feel like, ‘Hey, I’m in the loop with this,’ and they don’t feel as though we’re trying to get one over on them. It’s a trust issue.”
That kind of visibility helps turn routine service into a more professional, transparent customer experience. It also gives operators another way to stand apart in a fragmented market.
As the category grows, Burrows said success will depend on more than just demand. Hiring reliable team members, maintaining quality in the field and marketing strategically all play a role in long-term growth.
“I think advertising plays a key role,” Burrows said. “If you hit the market and you hit the right people, you’re not going to have a problem getting those customers in because you’re going to be out there in their face. But you have to play that strategically. If you put all your money into, ‘I’m going to advertise on so many different avenues,’ you’re never going to make all that back.”
For pool service businesses, the path forward looks less like a race to offer everything and more like a push to do the basics exceptionally well. The companies that communicate clearly, show up consistently and earn trust week after week are the ones most likely to keep growing.
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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Demand for recurring maintenance, faster communication and reliable service is creating new growth opportunities for pool maintenance and repair companies.
The pool service business is benefiting from a simple reality: There are more pools to maintain, and more homeowners who do not want the hassle of doing it themselves. In many markets, that demand is being amplified by another factor — customers who are unhappy with their current provider and willing to switch for better communication, consistency and trust.
Rene Burrows, a Pool Scouts franchisee in South Jersey, said demand in her market reflects both the post-COVID boom in pool construction and a service gap left by less responsive competitors.
According to Burrows, the industry is still seeing the effects of the surge in inground pool construction that followed the pandemic. But growth is not just coming from new installations. It is also coming from homeowners who feel underserved.
“The biggest thing that I see is the growth from COVID, with so many inground pools put into the system. So many people were building,” Burrows said. “But not only that, there’s also the poor service that people have received from other competitors out there and from some of the pool builder companies that are out there. Those companies are not as personal when it comes to needing things for your pool.”
That combination has created a strong opening for pool maintenance and repair companies that can offer a more dependable experience. For many households, pool care has become one more responsibility they would rather hand off, especially in an economy where time feels tight and schedules are packed.
While repairs and equipment work can add meaningful revenue, Burrows said recurring service is what gives the business its foundation. Ongoing maintenance creates consistency for the operator and often leads to stronger customer relationships over time.
“I would have to say that the recurring services are where that revenue is truly coming in,” Burrows said. “Getting that person in the door, having them understand what service we provide, where they’re very content with that service and they just want to continue it because we make it seamless, that’s really the key factor. Yes, there’s a lot of revenue that comes in from doing the repairs, but I feel like you have to have the commitment from the customer first, who feels like they can trust you in the process.”
That trust can determine whether a homeowner calls for a one-time fix or stays on for weekly service. In a category built around repeat visits, reliability matters as much as technical skill.
Homeowners are also asking more from service providers than they did a few years ago. They want quick communication, clear pricing and proof of what was done. Burrows said digital tools have become central to meeting those expectations.
“A lot of them really do prefer the text messaging process. Sending them those notifications, letting them know, ‘Hey, we’re out here. This is what’s going on,’” Burrows said. “They really appreciate those reports that we send out, the before-and-after photos telling them what we did, so they know and they feel like, ‘Hey, I’m in the loop with this,’ and they don’t feel as though we’re trying to get one over on them. It’s a trust issue.”
That kind of visibility helps turn routine service into a more professional, transparent customer experience. It also gives operators another way to stand apart in a fragmented market.
As the category grows, Burrows said success will depend on more than just demand. Hiring reliable team members, maintaining quality in the field and marketing strategically all play a role in long-term growth.
“I think advertising plays a key role,” Burrows said. “If you hit the market and you hit the right people, you’re not going to have a problem getting those customers in because you’re going to be out there in their face. But you have to play that strategically. If you put all your money into, ‘I’m going to advertise on so many different avenues,’ you’re never going to make all that back.”
For pool service businesses, the path forward looks less like a race to offer everything and more like a push to do the basics exceptionally well. The companies that communicate clearly, show up consistently and earn trust week after week are the ones most likely to keep growing.
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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