Commercial pools — profits or pitfall
I really enjoy learning about the commercial side of the pool service industry. It’s probably the area I know the least about, partly because the scope is so vast. A commercial account could be anything from a waterpark or resort to a splash pad or small HOA pool.
We have several articles in this issue about the commercial pool space. It’s not something every company and pro is equipped for, and you should know your limits before jumping in.
This summer, my family was swimming at an HOA pool when I noticed one of the homeowners cleaning the filter and doing other maintenance. Curious, I asked why he’d taken on that responsibility. He explained that the HOA had previously hired a pool company — but the company admitted it was just collecting automatic payments and couldn’t actually service the pool as often as required. So, the HOA stopped using a professional and now pays a neighbor a stipend to maintain it.
And before you ask — because it was my first question, too — in Oklahoma, you don’t have to be a Certified Pool Operator to work on this type of pool. So, while it’s probably ill-advised, it’s not illegal.
As a member of the pool industry, I was disappointed to hear that story. But it was also a good reminder why education on commercial pools, both the technical aspects and the business side, is so important. Steve Easland of Breakpoint Pools, who we feature in this issue (Page 40), says of doing commercial service, “You better be in it for the long haul. You better be well capitalized, have good insurance and have good training facilities. Because that’s what it takes.” And he is so right.
It feels odd, but this is also the edition of the magazine that we will be taking to the Pool | Spa | Patio Expo! The show is a few weeks early this year, so don’t forget to add it to your calendars for October. Come visit us in our booth #1953 — we’d love to meet you.
Best,
Megan Kendrick, publisher, CPO
