Pool Contract

C) Achievable: The average pool route business owner, running the route correctly should have a yearly net income (income after expenses) of $75,000 to $85,000 per year. This net income amount will vary slightly depending on the average service rates for the area.

Most pool opening services charge around $200 in total to open your pool in the summer, however you could pay anywhere between $150 and $350 for the job. Hourly rates range between $75 and $100 per hour. A very dirty tool may cost more for the added cleaning and chemical expenses.

A vehicle large enough to transport your equipment. A trailer for the equipment if your current vehicle isn't large enough. Business insurance. Water-testing kits. Pool-cleaning chemicals. Skimmers and brushes. Leaf rakes. Company branded T-shirts or hats.

The good news is, there's a low barrier to entry, especially if you already have a truck or trailer. Your initial startup costs shouldn't run more than about $2,000, not including any fees paid to setup your legal business structure. You'll need: A vehicle large enough to transport your equipment.

If you're astute, it's easy to do. For builders whose overhead is already established, a pool division is a way to add profits. Wells says that whereas pool builders aim for a 5 percent to 7 percent net profit and a 22 percent to 28 percent gross profit, home builders can push gross profits to 40 percent.

Go above and beyond to over-deliver at every opportunity possible - such as a leave-behind gift (like a pool inflatable) with a referral card (magnets with your number on it work really well) OR a followup call after their first service to make sure they're happy with their first service.

How much profit can a pool cleaning business make? A pool service business owner will make about $50 to $60 per hour cleaning pools. Working full time, this comes to $2,000 to $2,400 per week. (There may not be full-time work available in the offseason).