Hey Skimmer Community,

I’m in Beaumont, California, planning a career change by purchasing a pool route next year. I’m researching costs and profit potential, leaning toward a service-plus-chemicals pricing model, and exploring products like PoolRx, BlueRay XL, and Orenda enzymes. As a newbie, I need help understanding wholesale chemical pricing (since many distributors only sell to established pros) and how to integrate these specialty products effectively. Your insights would mean the world!

Here’s what I’m curious about:

•  Wholesale Pricing: How do you find typical wholesale prices for chemicals like liquid chlorine, Cal hypo tablets, pH balancers, or algaecides? Are there beginner-friendly suppliers in Beaumont/Southern California or online options for new pros getting licensed? What’s a ballpark monthly chemical cost for a 10,000–15,000-gallon residential pool?

•  Service+Chem Billing: How do you bill for the service-plus-chemicals model? Do you itemize service and chemicals separately on invoices or use a flat rate? What’s a typical markup on chemicals to stay profitable yet competitive? Any examples of how your invoices look to keep things clear for clients?

•  PoolRx, BlueRay XL, and Orenda Enzymes: Are these products a solid strategy for maintaining pools in the service-plus-chemicals model? How and when do you pitch them to customers? For example, do you introduce them when taking on new accounts, at the start of the season, or for specific issues like algae? Any tips on marketing these as premium solutions to boost customer satisfaction and profitability?

I’m so thankful for this community—stumbling upon you has given me the confidence to dive into this venture! I’m excited to use Skimmer’s game-changing software to streamline my route once I’m up and running. Any advice, ballpark figures, billing examples, or strategies for using PoolRx/BlueRay XL/Orenda would be incredibly helpful as I plan this career shift. Thanks so much!