Side Hustleslow risk
Pool Route Arbitrage: Buy Cleaning Routes for $50-100/Month
Pool cleaning routes sell for 10-12x monthly revenue. Buy underperforming routes, optimize with apps and chemicals markup for 40%+ margins.
Last verified: 3/29/2026
Pool cleaning routes sell for 10-12x monthly revenue. Buy underperforming routes, optimize with apps and chemicals markup for 40%+ margins.
Capital Required
$0-$1K
Time Commitment
5-20 hrs/week
Skill Level
beginner
Risk Level
low
Pool maintenance businesses are selling cleaning routes at massive discounts right now, creating an arbitrage opportunity that most people completely miss. While everyone chases trendy side hustles, established pool cleaners are retiring or downsizing, selling profitable customer routes for just 10-12x monthly revenue.
Here's what makes this interesting: a typical pool cleaning route generates $80-120 per customer per month. Routes with 20-30 customers are selling for $15,000-25,000, meaning you're buying $2,000-3,000 in monthly recurring revenue for roughly one year's worth of income. The economics work because you're not starting from scratch — you're buying existing customers with payment history.
The Current Market Dynamics
Three factors are creating this opportunity right now. First, the pool service industry is experiencing a generational handoff. Many pool cleaners who started their businesses 20-30 years ago are hitting retirement age. Second, the 2020-2022 pool construction boom created more pools than the industry could properly service, leading to rushed business expansions that are now being consolidated. Third, most pool cleaners are terrible at business operations, creating routes ripe for optimization.
The typical seller is a 55-65 year old who built their business through word-of-mouth, uses paper scheduling, and charges below-market rates. They're selling because they want out, not because the business doesn't work.
Real Economics Breakdown
Let's examine a realistic scenario. You find a route with 25 customers paying $90/month each, generating $2,250 monthly. The seller wants $22,500 (10x monthly). Your costs break down as:
Your monthly operating costs:
Net monthly profit: $850-950, or roughly $10,000-11,000 annually after the first year. This gives you a 28-31% return on your initial investment, assuming zero growth.
The Optimization Edge
The real profit comes from optimizing routes that previous owners ran inefficiently. Most pool cleaners service pools on whatever day customers prefer, creating routes that zigzag across town. By migrating customers to geographically efficient service days, you can service 30-35 pools per day instead of 20-25.
Second, chemical markup represents massive untapped revenue. Pool stores mark up chemicals 200-300%, but most cleaners only charge cost-plus-20%. By properly marking up chemicals and selling additional services (equipment repairs, seasonal prep), you can add $20-40 per customer monthly.
Third, most routes are underpriced. Pool cleaning rates haven't kept pace with inflation in many markets. Customers paying $80/month in 2019 should be paying $95-105 today. A gradual price increase over 12-18 months can boost revenue 15-25% with minimal customer loss.
Where to Find These Opportunities
The best deals aren't advertised publicly. Start with BizBuySell.com and BusinessBroker.net, but focus on direct outreach. Drive through affluent neighborhoods with older pools and look for service trucks. Most pool cleaners advertise on their vehicles.
Create a simple letter: "I'm looking to purchase pool cleaning routes in the [area] and heard you might be interested in selling or know someone who is." Include your contact information and mail it to every pool service company within 30 miles.
Facebook groups like "Pool Service Professionals" and "Pool Route Sales" are goldmines. Post that you're a qualified buyer looking for routes in specific zip codes. Many deals happen through word-of-mouth in these communities.
Due Diligence Essentials
Never buy a route without verifying customer payment history for the past 12 months. Request bank statements showing customer payments, not just a customer list. A route with 30 customers that averages 25 paying customers is worth 17% less than advertised.
Physically visit every pool on the route. Note equipment age, pool condition, and access issues. Customers with green pools, broken equipment, or difficult access will likely cancel within six months.
Understand your local regulations. Some cities require contractor licenses for pool cleaning, others just business licenses. California requires a C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor license for equipment repairs, while Texas has minimal requirements.
Technology Stack for Modern Routes
Replace the seller's paper system immediately. PoolNest ($49/month) or Skimmer ($39/month) handle scheduling, invoicing, and customer communication. These apps include GPS routing optimization that can save 2-3 hours daily.
Integrate mobile payment processing. GoCardless or Fattmerchant charge 2.9% for ACH payments, eliminating collection issues. Customers pay automatically, improving cash flow and reducing administrative time.
Use pool chemistry apps like PoolMath to optimize chemical usage. Many cleaners over-treat pools, wasting 20-30% on chemicals. Proper dosing calculations can save $300-500 monthly on a 30-pool route.
Common Mistakes That Kill Profits
The biggest mistake is buying routes with geographic sprawl. A route covering 40 square miles is worthless regardless of customer count. Limit your search to routes with customers within a 15-mile radius.
Don't assume all customers will stay. Plan for 15-20% customer loss in the first six months as customers test your service quality. Price your deal assuming you'll lose the weakest accounts.
Avoid routes with high-maintenance customers. Customers who call weekly with complaints or demand daily service visits destroy profitability. During due diligence, ask about problem customers specifically.
Never finance the entire purchase through seller financing without equipment collateral. If the business fails, you're stuck with debt and no assets. Aim for 60% conventional financing, 40% seller financing maximum.
Scaling Beyond Your First Route
Once you've optimized your first route, acquisition becomes easier. Banks will finance subsequent purchases using your proven cash flow. A second route in an adjacent area can be serviced with the same equipment, improving efficiency.
Consider vertical integration. Partner with pool equipment repair technicians or purchase wholesale chemicals direct from manufacturers. Routes with 50+ customers can negotiate better chemical pricing, improving margins 5-8%.
Build referral systems with pool builders and real estate agents. New pool owners need service providers, and realtors can connect you with new homeowners inheriting pools.
Start This Week
Research local regulations: Contact your city/county licensing department to understand pool service requirements. Some areas require contractor licenses, others just business permits.
Set up deal alerts: Create saved searches on BizBuySell and BusinessBroker for "pool service" and "pool route" within 50 miles. Set up Google Alerts for "pool cleaning business for sale" in your metro area.
Drive affluent neighborhoods: Spend 4-6 hours this weekend driving through neighborhoods with pools. Note company names and contact information from service vehicles.
Execution Steps
Complete market research: Identify 3-5 target neighborhoods with high pool density. Research current service rates by calling competitors for quotes.
Secure financing pre-approval: Contact SBA lenders about business acquisition loans. Many banks finance pool routes as established businesses with proven cash flow.
Begin outreach campaign: Mail introduction letters to 50+ pool service companies. Follow up with phone calls after one week.
Conduct due diligence: For interested sellers, request 12 months of bank statements, customer payment records, and service schedules.
Negotiate purchase terms: Aim for 60% bank financing, 30% seller financing, 10% cash down. Include 90-day transition period with seller introduction to customers.
Execute transition plan: Install route management software, introduce yourself to customers, and implement pricing optimization within first 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if customers cancel when I take over the route? A: Expect 15-20% customer loss in the first six months. This is normal and factored into deal pricing. Focus on service consistency and communication. Most customers who stay past six months become long-term accounts.
Q: Do I need experience cleaning pools to buy a route? A: Basic pool chemistry knowledge helps, but it's learnable. Many successful route buyers start with zero experience. Consider working with an experienced pool cleaner for your first month to learn operational basics.
Q: How do I know if a route is priced fairly? A: Pool routes typically sell for 10-14x monthly revenue. Routes priced below 10x monthly are either distressed sales or have hidden problems. Above 14x, you're overpaying unless the route has exceptional characteristics.
Q: What's the biggest risk in this business? A: Customer concentration risk. Routes with 50%+ revenue from 5-10 customers are vulnerable to mass cancellations. Prefer routes with distributed customer bases where no single customer represents more than 5-8% of revenue.
Q: Can this business be run part-time initially? A: Yes, but only for routes under 20-25 customers. Most pools need weekly service, requiring 2-3 service days per week. Routes with 30+ customers typically require full-time commitment or hired help.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Pool route investments carry risks including customer loss, equipment failure, and regulatory changes. Conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before making any business investment decisions.
Research local regulations and licensing requirements for pool service businesses in your area
Set up deal alerts on BizBuySell and BusinessBroker for pool cleaning routes within 50 miles
Drive affluent neighborhoods to identify active pool service companies and collect contact information
Mail introduction letters to 50+ pool service companies expressing interest in purchasing routes
Secure SBA loan pre-approval for business acquisition financing
Conduct thorough due diligence including customer payment verification and physical pool inspections
Expect 15-20% customer loss in the first six months. This is normal and factored into deal pricing. Focus on service consistency and communication. Most customers who stay past six months become long-term accounts.
Basic pool chemistry knowledge helps, but it's learnable. Many successful route buyers start with zero experience. Consider working with an experienced pool cleaner for your first month to learn operational basics.
Pool routes typically sell for 10-14x monthly revenue. Routes priced below 10x monthly are either distressed sales or have hidden problems. Above 14x, you're overpaying unless the route has exceptional characteristics.
Customer concentration risk. Routes with 50%+ revenue from 5-10 customers are vulnerable to mass cancellations. Prefer routes with distributed customer bases where no single customer represents more than 5-8% of revenue.