Pool Cleaning Route
Sunshine, chlorine, and $80K in your pocket
Pool cleaning routes involve visiting residential and commercial pools on a weekly schedule to test water chemistry, add chemicals, clean filters, and vacuum debris. In Sun Belt states, routes operate year-round. A route of 80-100 pools can be serviced by one person and generates strong income with minimal overhead.
Avg Revenue
$130K
Profit Margin
50%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 4x
Startup Cost
$5K - $50K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
You visit 15-20 pools per day on a set route. Each stop takes 15-30 minutes: test water chemistry, add chemicals, skim debris, brush walls, clean filter baskets. Customers pay $100-$200/month per pool. Routes are geographically clustered to minimize drive time.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561730 · Landscaping Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | FL | $1.9M | $2.3M | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $475K | $559K | 6 | — |
| Dec 2025 | CO | $1.4M | $1.6M | 17 | — |
| Dec 2025 | GA | $3.0M | $3.5M | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $1.7M | $2.0M | 100 | — |
| Nov 2025 | UT | $4.7M | $5.6M | 38 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $2.1M | $2.5M | 4 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MA | $2.2M | $2.6M | 15 | — |
| Nov 2025 | AZ | $159K | $187K | 7 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $781K | $919K | 20 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Very low startup costs — truck, chemicals, and basic tools
- +50% profit margins with owner-operator model
- +Year-round demand in Sun Belt states
- +Easy to learn — no certifications required in most states
Cons
- -Outdoor work in extreme heat
- -Seasonal in northern climates
- -Customer acquisition requires door-to-door or referral marketing
Best For
Sun Belt residents who want an outdoor, route-based business with immediate cash flow
Operating Costs
Costs include pool chemicals ($15-25 per pool/month), fuel, equipment maintenance, truck payment, insurance, and marketing. Most costs are variable, keeping overhead low.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
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.
Where to Buy
Dedicated marketplace for pool service route acquisitions
Find pool cleaning routes and businesses for sale
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $260K–$520K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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