Short answer
- Routes are priced as a multiple of monthly service revenue, commonly about 8x to 12x, with Florida brokers citing 10x to 15x.
- Density, retention, billing, pool condition and rates move the multiple.
- Protect yourself with a roughly 90-day retention guarantee and a 10% to 20% holdback.
- Cleaning generally needs no state license in Florida; repairs and equipment work do.
How pool routes are priced
Pool routes are usually priced as a multiple of monthly recurring service revenue, not profit. Repairs, equipment sales and one-off jobs are typically excluded from the base. Published industry ranges cluster around 8x to 12x monthly service revenue, with starter routes lower and dense, well-documented routes higher. Florida brokers commonly cite 10x to 15x because routes run year-round here.
| Monthly service revenue | At 8x | At 10x | At 12x |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| $10,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 |
| $20,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 | $240,000 |
Trucks and equipment are usually priced separately. A quick sanity check: divide the multiple by your expected service margin. At a 30% margin, a 10x route pays back in about 33 months.
What moves the multiple
- Density. Tight clusters cut drive time and earn a premium. Map every account before you make an offer.
- Retention and account age. Long-tenured accounts with documented history are worth more than a list of recent sign-ups.
- Billing. Autopay and written service agreements beat monthly invoices and handshake deals.
- Pool condition. Neglected pools and failing equipment become your problem the first week.
- Rates. Under-priced accounts look cheap to buy and churn when you raise rates.
- Who the customers are loyal to. If they're loyal to one technician who isn't coming with the deal, expect losses.
Deal terms that protect a buyer
- Retention guarantee: commonly about 90 days, during which the seller replaces or refunds accounts that cancel.
- Holdback: often 10% to 20% of the price, released when the guarantee period ends.
- Itemized account exhibit: every account, address, rate and service day listed in the purchase agreement.
- Non-solicitation and non-compete: so the seller doesn't take customers back.
- Ride-alongs: at least one full service day before closing, and a seller introduction plan for the first 90 days.
Florida rules to know
- Routine residential cleaning and chemical service generally doesn't require a state contractor license, but repairs and equipment installation do, through a licensed pool/spa servicing contractor. If the route's revenue includes repair work, confirm who holds the license.
- Public and commercial pools must be maintained by a certified pool service technician under Florida Department of Health rules. CPO certification is the common path.
- Residential pool cleaning is generally exempt from Florida sales tax. Commercial pool service, chemicals and parts are generally taxable, so check that the seller has been collecting correctly. Under Florida Statute 213.758, unpaid sales tax can follow the business to you.
- Expect local business tax receipts, and in some counties, separate registration requirements.
Financing a route purchase
Small routes are usually bought with cash, a home equity line or seller financing. Larger route businesses with clean tax returns can qualify for SBA financing, which now requires 10% equity, an independent valuation and 1.25x debt coverage on historical earnings. See buying a business with an SBA loan.
Why I wrote this one
I'm in the Florida pool business myself, so I know what a route looks like from the truck, not just the spreadsheet. Because I'm in the industry, I'll tell you up front if I could be a buyer for your route, and I won't advise you on a sale where I'm also bidding.
FAQ
How much is a pool route worth in Florida?
Routes are usually priced at a multiple of monthly recurring service revenue. Industry sources commonly cite about 8x to 12x, and Florida brokers often cite 10x to 15x because routes run year-round.
Do you need a license to clean pools in Florida?
Routine residential cleaning and chemical service generally doesn't require a state contractor license, but repairs and equipment installation do. Public and commercial pools require a certified pool service technician.
What is a pool route retention guarantee?
A promise, commonly for about 90 days after closing, that the seller will replace or refund accounts that cancel, usually backed by a 10% to 20% holdback of the purchase price.
Is pool cleaning taxable in Florida?
Residential pool cleaning is generally exempt from Florida sales tax. Commercial pool service, chemicals and parts are generally taxable.
Sources
- Pool route valuation guide (PoolDial)
- How to buy a pool route (Skimmer)
- Florida pool service legal requirements (PoolDial)
- Successor liability, s. 213.758 (Brewers Law)
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. SBA rules and Florida law change; confirm current terms with your lender, attorney and CPA.