Certified Pool Technician (Recession Proof)

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An individual who services a public pool by maintaining the cleanliness, water quality and chemical balance of public pools shall be certified. To be certified an individual must demonstrate knowledge of public pools. Examples of such knowledge include: pool cleaning, general pool maintenance, make-up water supply, bacteriological, chemical and physical quality of water and water purification, testing, treatment, and disinfection procedures. To ensure that the pool technicians are knowledgeable, said technician shall attend a training course of national recognition that is approved by the department of at least 16 hours in length and shall pass a test acceptable to the department. Certification is conferred upon an individual and is nontransferable.

Find a certified pool operator (CPO) class offered near you. To locate simply go to www.nspf.org and click the state you are in. This will give you contact information to find out who is giving the classes, times, and dates. Usually they are offered on a monthly basis during the week and on weekends. Every business with a pool has to have a CPO and they usually like to have 2-3 on staff. For around $200-$300, the two day course will get you in the door to most places because you took the initiative yourself instead of the employer taking a gamble and paying for a stranger.

The class itself is easy to follow and understand. You will be taking the class with people recertifying and newbie. The instructors will answer questions and get you the knowledge to pass the exam. A CPO handbook is included with the class but getting it before might be good idea for the first timer. This way you can read it a few times and write down any questions ahead of time. Bring a calculator to make the math portions easier. All you are doing for this is putting numbers into formulas in front of you. Don’t let this part scare you because they have worksheets for you to practice and most are willing to stay during the breaks and help those who need it.

Now that you completed your two day course, you are a CPO looking for a job. During these two days is a great networking opportunity. Some of these people are already in the industry so make up business cards or contact cards and hand them out to everyone during the breaks. You might get a job before you leave or at least get some good leads. The nice thing is that the certification is good for five years. Put an application out to everyplace that has a pool. Schools,hotels,amusement parks, YMCA’s, country clubs, and apartment complexes. You will get hired before anyone without this certification.

Each pool is different with the type of chlorine and mechanical operations. Someone already there will train you in all the procedures which are always written down. If this is not the case, the people who put on the CPO class are usually suppliers to the industry and will answer any questions you have. Also find out who your company buys the pool supplies from and they will be able to send someone out to train you in on the basics. The nice thing with this industry is everyone is willing to help each other out because the public’s safety is at stake. You will learn as you go but you will have many questions along the way. The websites and suppliers can answer any of your questions. Never forget there are pools that have to be maintained by your park service, training facilities for local athletes and for your school district.

Now that we have that certification and we know you need to have it to Start Your Own — Well let’s start our own!

What It Takes to Start a Pool Cleaning Service

Operating a pool cleaning service is one of those small business ideas where you might have business year round or you might be able to take time off in the off season. Those who live in warmer climes will be able to boost their income due to the large number of private pools needing cleaning year-round, while in colder regions, pool cleaners can earn money by helping owners shut down and reopen their pools as the seasons change. Based on four weekly visits, experienced pool cleaners can expect to earn between $75 and $165 per customer per month.

Pool cleaners adjust the water’s chemical balance and keep pumps and filters running. They scrub and skim when necessary. Their services are often needed after weather disturbances that can shower a pool with leaves and debris. The goal for most pool services is to establish weekly repeat business, because an individual startup will have a tough time attracting new customers.

Pool cleaning is not a learn-as-you-go enterprise. Pool cleaners should know their stuff, either through apprenticing or tagging along with a respected practitioner. Due to health codes, some states require certification for those attending to public and health-club pools, Jacuzzis and spas. In Florida, for instance, candidates must take an open-book test to become certified.

Pros of a Pool Cleaning Small Business

• Fresh air, water and nice homes are part of the pool cleaner’s territory.
• Some of the manual pool cleaning tasks can help keep you fit.
• Because the work is usually done outside, pool cleaning hours can be planned around a regular workday.
• A casual dress code is acceptable; it’s a physical job, after all. But you’ll want to look like a professional pool cleaner, regardless.

Cons of a Pool Cleaning Small Business

• Constant sun and prolonged exposure to some pool chemicals can be health hazards.
• Like many small business ideas, it can be tough to build a pool cleaning clientele at first.
• Pool cleaning business may be tougher to find in colder regions, but you may also offer snowblowing or plowing during the winter. Additionally, many homes have year-round spas, even in colder regions.

What You Need to Get Started in a Pool Cleaning Small Business

• Good physical health. Efficient pool-cleaning requires energy.
• Business cards and flyers to pass out to pool-supply stores and contractors in your area. These sources will likely help you land your first customers. You can approach motels, apartments and spas as well.
• About $2,000 for basic pool cleaning equipment and chemicals. On this note, a knowledge of environmentally friendly products, including chlorine alternatives, can be a plus these days and help you set your pool cleaning small business apart from others.
• Reliable transportation to tote all of your pool cleaning gear
• Certification. Check with your area’s health department.
• Insurance
• Ability to swim. This cannot be overemphasized for those with ideas of starting this type of small business.

Most pools have to be maintained year round even if someone isn’t using them. (I didn’t know that) So this means if you get your client base up and charge reasonable prices you will be able to make money every month.  Find out what other people are charging for their service and see if you can undercut them by 10%. Since you got the experience under someone else why can’t you stack your money, buy the equipment and do for self! I just thought it was a summer thing but it looks like it can be a year round business. Remember this Business is a service that takes a task away that most people hate to do. If you’re reasonable in price, prompt in service and certified I’m sure people will give you the business.

Extra: A lot of houses on Foreclosure have pools. The banks don’t want to pay the extra costs of paying someone to re-glaze the whole damn pool. I bet you some money no one is looking at those foreclosures and the maintenance needed on them. Also, keep in mind that unmaintained pools usually are cesspools for mosquitoes so there’s another angle for you to bring up when trying to get that business.

Extra Extra: This is a great Side Hustle too that you can do on the weekends or in the afternoons. There are so many people tired of cleaning their pools (Carl) that they would probably take a young cat who got the certifications to do it. I would’ve put it in Quick Hustles but the Certification makes it bigger than normal.

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