How to Become a Pool Guy or Pool Gal
In this article I will cover some tips on
how to become a pool guy or pool gal. If you are looking to change
professions or just want to make some extra money part time, I will
go over some points on how to get started. This is an overview video
so if you have specific questions feel free to contact me.
I start with the basic four qualities you need to be successful in the business. The first is you need to be a hard worker. This job is not for everyone. There is weather to deal with, wind, rain, heat, humidity , snow. You are doing physical labor all day long. I did a calorie count test and input the amount of weight I lifted all day and added in a rowing machine which is close to skimming the pool all day, and found I burned over 2000 calories per day. It can be rigorous. So if you don't like hard work or working in 100 degree weather, this job might not be for you.
A
book I read years ago helped me and it might help you also is
called The
Go-Getter: A Story That Tells You How To Be One by
Peter B. Kyne. It was first published in 1921. This book will give
you a good lesson on what it takes to be successful.
I focus on not being lazy because this is one job that if you cut corners it will come back to bite you. A pool can turn from clear blue to a nice shade of green within a week in the Summer time. So if you don't do things with diligence you will be doing twice the work later. When I was formally trained way back in 1988 at the age of 16 the guy that taught me everything would say to me all the time that “You can't be lazy out here” - and it has stuck with me. So many problems can be avoided with hard work and attending to things right away.
I focus on not being lazy because this is one job that if you cut corners it will come back to bite you. A pool can turn from clear blue to a nice shade of green within a week in the Summer time. So if you don't do things with diligence you will be doing twice the work later. When I was formally trained way back in 1988 at the age of 16 the guy that taught me everything would say to me all the time that “You can't be lazy out here” - and it has stuck with me. So many problems can be avoided with hard work and attending to things right away.
You
can learn the trade by watching my YouTube videos and by taking
courses in your local area if they are offered. A great way to make
sure you are qualified and ready is to get CPO certified. This
National certification teaches pool professionals how to properly
maintain their pool in accordance with state regulations and industry
standards.
You can get CPO certified through NSPF – National Swimming Pool
Foundation. They also offer Online programs.
You
can also call them for more info: 719-540-9119
People
skills are essential because you are running a service business and
are providing a specific “work” in return for payment. You are
not selling a product, the product is you and the service you
provide. So you will make mistakes and customers will get mad and you
will need develop good people skills.
Christmas gifts for my customers |
I
take the trash cans in for some customers, drop off the newspaper in
the driveway at their front porch, watch their house and feed their
dogs when they are on vacation. Customers trust me so much that they
will leave their house unlocked so I can enter and reprogram their
automated system when they are at work. There are even customers that
wait for me each week so we can chat. Every Christmas I give them a
Christmas card and a gift. So remember you are providing a service
and not just doing a job.
Good
solid business skills are essential. You are in business to make
money and you are not just out there “spinning your wheels.” So
you need to learn how to draw up a business plan which includes
charging enough per pool so that you actually turn a profit. Prices
for service vary from region to region so it is up to you to set the
best price for your area. It is not smart business practice to
undercut your competition because they are probably charging what is
needed to turn a profit and if you charge less... instead offer
better service for the same price.
Getting
your personal finances in order is a great way to get your business
finances in order. A great resource that I used successfully was the
Dave Ramsey plan to become Debt Free myself. Learning how to run your
finances is critical and if you can't manage your personal finances
you certainly won't be able to manage your business finances.
Learn
more on his website: http://www.daveramsey.com/
The
last point I make is being an Honest person. Being a person of
Integrity takes a lot of effort. I was never taught as a youngster
the value of being honest, so I had to learn it as an adult. If you
lie to your customers and they find out, your reputation will be
damaged. And in the service business your reputation is everything. I
was going to put a pool light in for a customer and discovered that
the breaker was simply off. I could have charged the $180 and they
would not be the wiser. But I sent them a text message informing them
of the good news. I've charged up a D.E. Filter and left the backwash
valve open, resulting in 5 lbs of D.E. going back into the pool when
I corrected the mistake. I could have told the customer there was a
torn grid, instead I told them of my mistake. It took two weeks to
get rid of all the D.E, but they respected me for being honest even
though their pool was a mess. Honesty is the best policy.
So
how do you get started in the business? You can get a truck, open an
account at POOLCORP the parent company of SCP and Superior Pool
Products and get your equipment and chemicals. Then you can solicit
for accounts to service. This is a hard way to get started but doable
if you start part-time and build up a route while working at another
job. Over time you can build up a good business.
You
can also work for a pool company for a year or two and learn the
trade. This is also a good method and you can learn a lot that will
help you later when you are on your own. Typically you sign a
non-compete clause so you will have to get accounts out of the area
you are currently working in. This is also a good way to see if you
actually like the work and typically I say work a complete season so
you know for sure. You might even like working for a company long
term and it can provide a very good income.
You
can also purchase a full or partial pool route from a Pool Service
Broker. You basically purchase pools in your area. If you have the
money to invest this is a great way to do it. Look at it like
purchasing a business. If you started building a pool route from
scratch and already know the trade, this is a great way to make your
route bigger and bring in more income. In many cases buying pools
makes sense.
To
talk to an expert in this field you can contact National Pool Route
Sales at 877-766-5757 or on their website: http://poolroutesales.com/
I
also mention in the video that it is essential that you get a good
Liability Insurance Policy. This will protect you from lawsuits if
you do make a mistake that damages the customers property or person.
For instance you add water to the customers pool and forget to turn
it off. It floods their house and causes $30,000 in damage. They sue
you for $30,000 and you are out of business. Instead , get a policy
for less than $80 a month that will transfer the risk from you to the
insurance company. It is just good business sense and you will sleep
better at night. There are a few to chose from but I use SPPA, they
are affordable and offer monthly payments. I highly recommend them.
Learn
more at their website: http://thesppa.com/
Or
call them at 1-877-599-SPPA
Email
at: info@the SPPA.com
No
matter if you have 100 pools or 30 pools – get insured today.
So
becoming a pool service professional is a great career choice and I
hope you found this helpful. Start today and in five years you will
be in a great place financially.
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