Swimming Pool Inspection Service
Every pool sale is a fee — and pools are everywhere
Pool inspection companies perform pre-purchase inspections for real estate buyers, insurance underwriters, and property managers. With over 6 million in-ground pools in the US and millions changing hands annually, there's consistent demand for certified professionals to inspect pump systems, plumbing, structural integrity, electrical bonding, and code compliance. Average inspection takes 1.5–2 hours and bills at $150–$350. No inventory, no recurring overhead — just a kit, a truck, and a certification.
Avg Revenue
$180K
Profit Margin
62%
Acquisition Multiple
1.75x - 3x
Startup Cost
$8K - $25K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Inspectors are called in during real estate transactions, when pool equipment fails, or when homes are listed. You inspect the pool shell, plumbing, pump and filtration, electrical bonding and grounding, safety features (fencing, drain covers), and overall code compliance. Reports are delivered digitally and often include repair cost estimates. Real estate agents and home inspectors are your best referral sources — building those relationships drives consistent volume.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 541350 · Building Inspection Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | TX | $3.6M | $4.2M | 300 | — |
| Sep 2025 | TX | $125K | $147K | 14 | — |
| Sep 2025 | TX | $1.2M | $1.4M | 14 | — |
| Sep 2025 | WI | $99K | $117K | 1 | — |
| Oct 2024 | SC | $280K | $329K | 4 | — |
| Apr 2024 | CO | $640K | $753K | 6 | Pillar To Post |
| Feb 2024 | IL | $899K | $1.1M | 8 | — |
| Sep 2023 | KS | $150K | $177K | 6 | — |
| Mar 2023 | IL | $230K | $271K | 13 | HouseMaster |
| Mar 2023 | FL | $256K | $301K | 9 | — |
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
- +Extremely high margins — primary cost is your time and a $3,000–$8,000 equipment kit
- +Real estate transaction volume is large and continuous in most markets
- +Referral-driven flywheel: one good realtor relationship = dozens of jobs/year
- +Scalable to a multi-inspector team with minimal infrastructure
Cons
- -Tied to real estate market cycles — volume drops when transactions slow
- -Certification and licensing requirements vary by state
- -Competition from general home inspectors adding pool inspection to their services
- -Solo inspector ceiling: can only do 3–5 inspections per day
Best For
People with pool service or construction background; ideal bolt-on for home inspectors, pool cleaners, or plumbers looking to add high-margin services
Operating Costs
Equipment: pool inspection kit ($3K–$8K), moisture meters, electrical testers, inspection software ($50–$100/month), E&O insurance ($1,500–$3,000/year), marketing. At 3 inspections/day × $200 average × 200 working days = $120,000 gross revenue with ~60% falling to the bottom line.
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
Find home and pool inspection businesses for sale with established referral networks
Industry certification body for pool and spa inspectors — required credential for most markets
Browse real estate-adjacent service business acquisitions
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
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $315K–$540K
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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