Number of pools in a given area??? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 03:35 PM

Wondering if anybody has any ideas on how to find out how many existing pools are in a county/city? Can you find out how many pool service companies there are in that area? While on a job bid once, this guy rattled off how many pools were in some city in Cali and how many service companies were in that area. Is this easy info to get? Or does it all depend on the city, state, etc.

Trying to get an idea how good a pool service would do in a couple of areas. I know Cali, AZ, Vegas, most major Southern Metros, northern areas with lots of money, are pretty good areas. But wondering how good of a market somewhere like Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Austin, TX, might be.

dirt diggler · 10-16-2007, 04:14 PM

if you're starting a pool service biz - you're headed in the wrong direction ....

POOLMANinCT · 10-16-2007, 04:31 PM

rent a helicopter

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt diggler

if you're starting a pool service biz - you're headed in the wrong direction ....

Really? Startup costs don't seem to be too bad. I haven't ran exact numbers, but figure enough chems and equipment to start, less than $2k. $50-70 per pool, 45min-1hr avg. per pool to clean. Already have the truck. Easy in/out, buy supplies as needed, maybe $100-200/mo for insurance...Seems like if your in the right area there's plenty of business. Doesn't seem to be an industry that is flooded with illegals and bubba trunk slammers doing the same thing...

Amber · 10-16-2007, 06:18 PM

Check with County offices to see how many permits were pulled in a given time span. That should give you an idea of how many pools were installed in lets say 2007 to date.

dirt diggler · 10-16-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2006Silverado

Doesn't seem to be an industry that is flooded with illegals and bubba trunk slammers doing the same thing...

what a highly ignorant thing to say ...

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt diggler

what a highly ignorant thing to say ...

"Doesn't seem to be..." That means I was stating what I've observed. I wasn't stating that as a fact. Didn't mean to cause you to get your panties in a wad. Please if your just going to be an a$$ find something better to do with your time. Or maybe your just a really miserable person and this is the best thing you can find to do.

From what I have observed, cleaning/doing maintenance on pools here around Atlanta, there doesn't seem to be the same level problem as you see in say lawn care, painting, etc. Yeah I've seen some guys that hire illegals, but doesn't seem to be nearly on the same level. I have yet to see a truck full of amigos out doing pool maintenance. But maybe I'm wrong, is this a problem in the industry?

I would think most of the bubba trunk slammers would be run out of business. If they're not doing things legit, correctly, cutting corners so they can lowball, I would think the pool maintenance quality would go south quickly and they wouldn't keep the customer very long.

Tmrrptr · 10-16-2007, 06:58 PM

I don't know how to determine a head count for any area, but once had a friend pay for infrared pics taken by a pilot in areas of choice prospects.
He was doing solar...
Today, google satellite would do, just as well.
r

Celtic · 10-16-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POOLMANinCT

rent a helicopter

...or use Live Earth

and spend the money you saved on pies for me

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amber

Check with County offices to see how many permits were pulled in a given time span. That should give you an idea of how many pools were installed in lets say 2007 to date.

I didn't think they would have info on old permits. But thanks for the suggestion, I will try them first.

dirt diggler · 10-16-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2006Silverado

"Doesn't seem to be..." That means I was stating what I've observed. I wasn't stating that as a fact. Didn't mean to cause you to get your panties in a wad. Please if your just going to be an a$$ find something better to do with your time. Or maybe your just a really miserable person and this is the best thing you can find to do.

.

no, im quite happy actually

it's just that you said something that was very ignorant.

you can PM me at anytime and I will gladly explain.

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt diggler

no, im quite happy actually

it's just that you said something that was very ignorant.

you can PM me at anytime and I will gladly explain.

I don't think I can PM, I cannot find the PM Icon anywhere. For some reason it's not enabled.

POOLMANinCT · 10-16-2007, 08:14 PM

wanna be in the pool biz?
anything can happen.....

2006Silverado · 10-16-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POOLMANinCT

wanna be in the pool biz?
anything can happen.....

Do you build? Or clean/service? Or little of everything?

One thing I love about the pool business compared to other trades, low overhead to startup, much easier to control inventory/costs (typically your buying supplies 'as needed', unlike other trades you don't really have to invest a bunch into equipment, etc. to do a job and then end up never making your money back for the equip), easy in/out (if you can walk to the pool w/your equipment your basically set, no having to haul a big trailer, worrying about how your going to get your equip to the location to provide the service, etc.), much easier for customer to see value in what they are paying for (pool full of leaves and crap, turning green, they call you 2 days later pool is clean as a whistle, and water is crystal clear), average rates being charged seem very reasonable (well within a good range that you can make a handsome profit, unlike many other trades where it is often a struggle).....

Hurley · 10-17-2007, 08:16 PM

Do ya know the biz, or know someone that does.
You're probably right it's a good lane to get into and not hard to get started but to build and keep a customer base you'll need problem solving experience. I.E. when to change filter sand, what to do about a green pool, why the heater/chiller ain't runnin.
Your customers will call you first, when you can't fix it...
p.s. Yes there are a few different "green water" problems you'll come across.

daArch · 10-17-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt diggler

no, im quite happy actually

it's just that you said something that was very ignorant.

you can PM me at anytime and I will gladly explain.

Hey Diggler, I'm sitting here biting my tongue. I get a feeling explaining would be like f*arting in a hurricane

POOLMANinCT · 10-17-2007, 09:45 PM

so easy a pool guy can do it?????

good luck

daArch · 10-17-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2006Silverado

Trying to get an idea how good a pool service would do in a couple of areas. I know Cali, AZ, Vegas, most major Southern Metros, northern areas with lots of money, are pretty good areas. But wondering how good of a market somewhere like Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Austin, TX, might be.

I'm trying to get a handle on you. Since August you asked how a number of businesses would be. They all seem to be low investment, low risk, minimal equipment, "easy in/out", easy sell, lucritive, and you have no to low experience in all of them.

Sounds like you're totally at loose ends as to what to do with yourself, but you want to make some good money running a small business with the above attributes. Doesn't sound like you want to work for someone else, learn a business, and then maybe go off on your own once you've mastered a trade.

but I could be wrong.

POOLMANinCT · 10-17-2007, 10:02 PM

walk to your pools????

kick rocks, lock a thread

**joasis** · 10-17-2007, 10:08 PM

So where is this thread going anyway? I told my son today Ray that you are going to teach him the pool business next summer.....free room and board, big salary...the works.