Commercial Swimming Pool Maintenance and Repair Business

This article outlines a structured acquisition plan for a commercial pool maintenance, repair, and compliance firm specializing in large-scale pools operated by hotels, HOAs, apartment complexes, municipalities, and universities. The business provides recurring services including water chemistry monitoring, mechanical equipment upkeep, seasonal openings/closings, and repairs to pumps, filters, heaters, automation systems, and safety equipment. Its technicians are certified pool operators (CPO) and the company adheres to Department of Health (DOH) water testing requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

With $3.85 million in annual revenue and $795,000 in adjusted EBITDA, the company operates year-round with heavier labor loads in spring and summer. About 75% of revenue comes from contracted, route-based maintenance (weekly or bi-weekly) and scheduled openings/closings. The remainder comes from equipment replacement, safety upgrades, resurfacing, and emergency service calls. A large portion of revenue is prepaid for the season, giving the business consistent cash flow and off-season stability.

The company is well-positioned for SBA 7(a) acquisition financing due to its recurring B2B revenue, trained technician base, seasonally recurring cash inflows, and physical asset value. A buyer can expand routes, add new counties, offer automation tech upgrades, and acquire smaller one-truck pool firms lacking compliance or commercial exposure.

Proposed SBA 7(a) Deal Structure

Due to its consistent route revenue and trained workforce, this deal supports conventional SBA financing:

• Purchase Price: $3.18 million (4.0x EBITDA)

• SBA Loan: $2.385 million (75%)

• Buyer Equity Injection: $318,000 (10%)

• Seller Financing (Subordinated): $477,000 (15%), amortized over 6 years with a 12-month interest-only period

Protective provisions:

1. 20% clawback on seller note if MRR drops by more than 12% in 6 months

2. $40K performance bonus if the buyer expands to 100+ additional pools in year one

3. Seller remains as technical advisor and compliance consultant for 9 months post-close

Client Base and Revenue Streams

Client segments:

• Hotels and resorts: 28%

• Municipal pools and aquatic centers: 24%

• HOAs and apartment complexes: 18%

• Universities and schools: 14%

• Wellness and rehab centers: 9%

• High-end country clubs and private facilities: 7%

Revenue breakdown:

• Weekly/bi-weekly maintenance routes: $2.1M

• Seasonal opening/closing services: $480K

• Equipment repairs and replacement (motors, filters, heaters): $620K

• Safety upgrades (rails, ADA lifts, signage): $310K

• Emergency repairs and chemical stabilization: $340K

Contracts typically span one season (April–October) with optional off-season visits or year-round indoor pool support. Prepaid contracts and automated billing are common. Compliance reports are uploaded weekly to client dashboards and used for DOH inspections.

No single client exceeds 6.8% of revenue. Top 50 clients generate 62% of total income.

Technician Base and Operations Model

Personnel:

• 7 CPO-certified technicians (3 dual-certified for mechanical and chemical services)

• 2 seasonal assistants (summer only)

• 2 schedulers and route coordinators

• 1 compliance officer for DOH and EPA records

• 1 general manager (non-owner)

Each tech manages 12–16 pools per week during peak season. Trucks carry mobile testing kits, tools, chemicals, and digital tablets for reporting and scheduling. Emergency calls are dispatched via text-based ticketing system with GPS prioritization.

Post-close team strategy:

1. Add 2 junior techs and increase route coverage 20% in 12 months

2. Launch bonus program for technicians tied to retention, route completion, and zero health code violations

3. Institute monthly training sessions for automation systems, saltwater pools, and ADA compliance upgrades

Facility, Fleet, and Equipment

Facility:

• 6,500 sq ft mixed-use building

  • Chemical storage and mixing room

  • Maintenance bay for fleet upkeep

  • Equipment staging and seasonal storage (covers, ladders, pumps)

  • Admin office and training room

Lease: $5,600/month with 3 years remaining and option to renew for 5

Fleet:

• 6 service vans with branded wraps and racks for hoses, vacuums, and chemical transport

• FMV: ~$230,000

• Vehicles equipped with GPS and field technician tablets

CapEx needs:

• Add 1 new van with heat and chemical-proof lining: $38K

• Replace 2 aging water vacs and robotic pool cleaners: $16K

• Install automatic chemical inventory tracking system: $11K

Sales and Growth Strategy

Sales channels:

• Direct outreach to property managers and hotel GMs

• Referrals from general contractors, health inspectors, and landscape companies

• SEO/Google Ads for “commercial pool maintenance + [region]”

• Summer expos for municipal and HOA vendors

Marketing budget: ~$35,000/year

Growth strategies:

1. Acquire solo pool operators with underdeveloped commercial clientele

2. Launch remote chemical monitoring and alert system as a high-ticket upsell

3. Target school districts and government buildings with enclosed pools

4. Bundle opening/closing packages with equipment upgrade discounts

5. Launch a revenue-based technician route ownership program

Financial Overview

• Revenue: $3.85M

• COGS (chemicals, labor, vehicles): $1.82M

• Gross Profit: $2.03M

• SG&A: $1.235M

• Adjusted EBITDA: $795K (20.6%)

Profit margins by segment:

• Maintenance contracts: 58–62%

• Equipment repair/replacement: 50–55%

• Open/close services: 60%

• Emergency and safety upgrades: 65–70%

Most contracts prepaid in quarterly or seasonal installments. Municipal clients pay net-30. Emergency visits are billed per hour plus materials. Equipment installs and ADA upgrades use milestone billing.

Compliance, Certifications, and Risk Management

• All techs certified through NSPF (now PHTA) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) program

• EPA-compliant chemical handling and SDS sheets on file

• Weekly DOH logs submitted digitally to clients

• Fully insured: $2M GL, $1M auto, $1M umbrella, $1M workers comp

No active complaints, EPA violations, or safety incidents. DOH inspections for client pools have passed at a 99% rate over the past 36 months.

Working Capital and Transition Plan

• Payroll float: $95K–$110K

• Van and equipment upgrades: $54K

• CRM and inventory tracking integration: $11K

• Seller consulting and transition budget: $30K

• Technician onboarding and marketing: $20K

Ideal Buyer Profiles

• Route-based B2B service buyers (HVAC, landscaping, janitorial)

• SBA-qualified buyers with experience in compliance or facility services

• PE-backed platforms aggregating outdoor/seasonal commercial service routes

• Pool service operators with residential exposure seeking commercial scale

Post-Close Execution Plan

1. Mail continuity letters and updated schedule confirmations to all pool clients

2. Recruit 2 new techs and cross-train in emergency and automation systems

3. Acquire 1–2 $300K–$500K revenue operators in adjacent counties

4. Deploy CRM-driven scheduling and compliance reporting tools

5. Launch automation and ADA upgrade sales campaign with GM and tech leads

Conclusion

This commercial pool maintenance and repair business offers reliable, recurring revenue tied to seasonal cycles and legally required upkeep. Its trained technician base, safety-first culture, and long-term client base make it a strong candidate for SBA 7(a) acquisition. With expansion potential through crew growth, automation add-ons, and regional roll-ups, it offers a durable, niche platform with long-term cash flow and regulatory tailwinds ideal for buyers seeking sticky clients, high-margin services, and year-over-year growth.