How A 45-Pool Route Nets Real Money After Taxes

Most people judge a service business by the top-line revenue, but what matters is the cash that stays after expenses and taxes. We walk through a practical model for a pool service route built around 45 residential accounts at a monthly rate of $185. That yields roughly $100,000 in gross revenue, which is attainable in many urban markets for a four-day workweek. The power of this model is not just the revenue; it is the combination of lean operations, predictable recurring billing, and deductions that reduce taxable income. With disciplined tracking and sensible pricing, a route this size can generate solid take-home pay while keeping workdays short and focused.

To make the math real, we step through the core expense categories that shape profitability. Vehicle costs come first for any mobile service. You may choose the standard mileage deduction or actual vehicle expenses, but you must pick a lane and stick with it. At a hypothetical 18,000 business miles, the mileage method can deliver a sizable deduction that often beats actual expenses in high-cost states. Then come the essentials: chemicals, basic tools, office supplies, small equipment, licensing, insurance, and the occasional rental when your truck is in the shop. Even if you bill customers for certain chemicals, those purchases remain deductible because they are business inputs you paid for. Thoughtful bookkeeping turns these routine costs into reliable tax efficiency.

Entity choice shapes risk and audit exposure. Many sole proprietors file Schedule C, where audits are more common. Incorporating can add administrative cost but brings liability protections and, in some jurisdictions, lower audit frequency. Whether you choose an LLC taxed as a pass-through or a corporation, a qualified CPA can align structure with your goals and ensure clean books. That advisor also becomes an essential partner for timing asset purchases, planning quarterly estimated taxes, and evaluating whether bringing a spouse or first hire onto payroll improves the balance of growth and tax planning. The aim is clarity and predictability, not just saving a few dollars one year.

With expenses tallied, the model shows total costs near $36,600, leaving about $63,400 in net profit before self-employment tax and income tax. After accounting for federal and state taxes in a high-tax state, the ballpark annual liability in this scenario may land around $7,000, which translates to roughly $135 per week. The important lesson is perspective: you cannot avoid taxes, but you can shape your taxable base with clean records, mileage logs, and legitimate deductions. The result is compelling—net monthly income near $5,000 while servicing about eleven pools per day across four days, often finishing by early afternoon.

Profitability is only half the story; scalability is where this model shines. A route delivers recurring revenue that compounds as you add accounts or a trained tech. With each hire, your hours can stay steady while gross revenue grows. Expenses rise too, but many scale favorably. You gain leverage from bulk chemical buying, shared travel time within dense routes, and improved scheduling. A careful owner can double or triple revenue without doubling personal work hours. This makes pool service different from pure hourly labor: your systems and pricing do the heavy lifting once the route density and quality control are in place.

Compliance brings long-term benefits beyond peace of mind. Under-reporting might seem tempting, but it can penalize you later when you seek financing, plan retirement, or sell the route. Clean books support better loan terms, stronger Social Security credits, and a higher valuation if you decide to exit. Add disciplined quarterly tax payments to avoid penalties, keep receipts, track mileage with an app, and document your home office if you use one. These habits transform a simple service route into a reliable small business. With fair pricing, tight expenses, and strategic planning, a modest 45-pool route can fund your life today and build equity for tomorrow.