Pool Cleaning Route
Sunshine, chlorine, and $80K in your pocket
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
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.
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.
BizBite verdict
Contact broker
Pool Cleaning Route has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 50% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 212 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
SBA 7(a) data
Real acquisitions in this category
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | NY | $135K | $159K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $150K | $177K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $1.4M | $1.6M |
| Mar 2026 | CA | $333K | $392K |
| Mar 2026 | MN | $83K | $97K |
| Mar 2026 | IL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Mar 2026 | MA | $100K | $118K |
| Mar 2026 | FL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Feb 2026 | SC | $480K | $565K |
| Feb 2026 | IN | $990K | $1.2M |
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.
Deal Calculator
Priced off $65K SDE — can this deal service its own debt?
SDE = revenue × margin estimate for this niche; it includes owner compensation, so budget your salary out of cash flow. Excludes working-capital injection, capex reserves, and taxes. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower.
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.
Where to Buy
Dedicated marketplace for pool service route acquisitions
Find pool cleaning routes and businesses for sale
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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