How much does a Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance cost to buy?

A typical Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance sells for 1.8x to 4.6x seller's discretionary earnings. With estimated SDE of $145K, expect to pay roughly $261K to $667K before adjustments for assets, debt, growth, and local market quality.

How much does it cost to start a Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance?

Startup costs range from $35K to $220K depending on location, equipment, and scale.

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Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance

Q: What are the profit margins for a Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance?

The average profit margin for a Commercial Pond & Fountain Maintenance is around 29%. Costs include service trucks, pumps, hoses, nets, water-treatment chemicals, test kits, PPE, small tools, disposal, insurance, and technician labor. Route density and recurring contracts drive profitability.

Decorative water features look peaceful until algae, pumps, and leaks show up

Bottom line

Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.

Commercial pond and fountain maintenance businesses clean, treat, inspect, repair, and winterize water features for HOAs, office parks, hotels, shopping centers, campuses, golf courses, municipalities, and apartment communities. The revenue is boringly practical: property managers need clear water, working pumps, and fewer resident complaints.

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Acquisition score

Strong

Avg Revenue

$500K

Profit Margin

29%

Acquisition Multiple

1.8x - 4.6x

Startup Cost

$35K - $220K

How It Works

Crews visit on recurring schedules to remove debris, treat algae, inspect pumps, clean filters, test water, repair liners and plumbing, service aerators, winterize systems, and respond to leaks or cloudy water. Revenue comes from monthly maintenance contracts, seasonal cleanouts, pump replacements, lighting upgrades, aquatic plant work, and emergency calls.

Revenue Range

Low End

$140K

Typical

$500K

High End

$1.6M

Pros

+Recurring property-manager contracts create predictable routes
+Pump and equipment replacements add profitable project work
+Visible results make retention easy when water clears up
+Pairs well with landscaping, irrigation, and aquatic weed control

Cons

-Seasonality in cold climates
-Leaks and electrical issues can become messy troubleshooting jobs
-Water quality problems may require repeated visits before improvement is visible

Best For

Operators with landscaping, irrigation, aquatics, pool service, or property-maintenance experience

Operating Costs

Costs include service trucks, pumps, hoses, nets, water-treatment chemicals, test kits, PPE, small tools, disposal, insurance, and technician labor. Route density and recurring contracts drive profitability.

SBA Financing Estimator

Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service

$-2870/mo

after debt service

Deal price — $1.4M

Range: $650K (1.8×) to $2.8M (4.6×+)

Down payment — 15% ($218K)

SBA minimum equity injection is 10% for change-of-ownership

Interest rate — 8.00%

Current prime-based SBA rates: 7.5–10.5%

Loan term — 10 years (120 mo)

Standard SBA 7(a): 10 years for business acquisition

Down payment

$218K

15% equity injection

Loan amount

$1.2M

85% SBA-financed

Monthly payment

$15K/mo

$562K total interest

Monthly profit

$12K/mo

at 29% margin

Monthly cash flow after debt service

$-2870/mo

Margin does not cover debt service at these terms. Lower the deal price, increase the down payment, or extend the loan term.

Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.