Hi Folks - getting ready to launch my new pool service here in Nokomis, Florida - September 1, 2025 - crossing over from 38 years of the lawn & Landscape maintenance industry - learning the pool chemicals is the most difficult aspect - what podcasts can I watch to gather information about this - or where can I gain knowledge of the chemical situation to maintain good balance in pools and troubleshoot water problems - just completed my CPO course last weekend which helped, but still a long way to go….
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Pool Chemicals
+1Best answer by Tru-Blue Pool Service
Software out there today is far more helpful than they were 4 years ago when we opened up. Remember, no 2 pools are the same; each is a separate ecosystem that will require different chems based on bather loads and environment around the pool. Use your software to help dose and then keep track of your history each week to see if you need to adjust your dosing from week to week. The cleaning and chemical part can be learned fairly quickly; most have the most issues with the equipment side of things. Spend some time learning how to program the different pumps, salt systems, and how to troubleshoot. Can save you a lot of headaches each week if you spend the time learning the equipment.
Being in Florida as we are, the biggest mistake we see is that pricing for service is too low and all over the place. Do not make the mistake I see out here all the time and race to the bottom just to sign an account; you will regret that. Just to share, our service starts at $179 per month, and that is for a screened-in salt pool. We have 8 techs in the field, so trust me, if your service level is worth it, then you can charge what you're worth and not the so-called “going rate” others charge.
Big Steve (BBG Pool Service)
Hey, I’d highly recommend “the pool guy podcast show”. He has a podcast and a lot of stuff on YouTube for chemicals, repairs and good products. I’ve personally learned a lot from him.
+1Thank you Kellypools - I’ll check him out….
Software out there today is far more helpful than they were 4 years ago when we opened up. Remember, no 2 pools are the same; each is a separate ecosystem that will require different chems based on bather loads and environment around the pool. Use your software to help dose and then keep track of your history each week to see if you need to adjust your dosing from week to week. The cleaning and chemical part can be learned fairly quickly; most have the most issues with the equipment side of things. Spend some time learning how to program the different pumps, salt systems, and how to troubleshoot. Can save you a lot of headaches each week if you spend the time learning the equipment.
Being in Florida as we are, the biggest mistake we see is that pricing for service is too low and all over the place. Do not make the mistake I see out here all the time and race to the bottom just to sign an account; you will regret that. Just to share, our service starts at $179 per month, and that is for a screened-in salt pool. We have 8 techs in the field, so trust me, if your service level is worth it, then you can charge what you're worth and not the so-called “going rate” others charge.
+1Thank you True Blue - some very good, sound advice - I’m digging in daily and have learned so much just by reading, conversing with people like you and watching as many podcasts as I can get my hands on - I honestly feel this industry use to be a diamond in the rough - but not anymore - it’s becoming very technical which helps everyone step up their game - and as you stated, there is so much software available in all aspects of the business - alot of really smart people behind this software …..
Totally agree with you on understanding the equipment - makes total sense - I’ve just gotta dig in and learn ….
Thanks again for the advice - truely appreciated ….
+1Also wanted to commend you on pricing - we need to set a standard just like a Plummer, mechanic, or electrician does - there will always be lowballers out there as in any business - I truly believe if you do the service right the first time, you will build a trust in your customers - therefore, when they refer you to their friends and neighbors, you’re already ahead of the game ….
hope to run into you out in the field - take care - Big Steve / BBG Pool Services
+2Welcome to the business and to the area. I'm local to you if you need anything feel free to reach out. If you need someone licensed for any repair work just let me know.
+1Thanks Tom - its going to be a interesting, yet gratifying journey - I’ll definitely keep you in mind on the repair end of things - single poling it for awhile and going to lean on many of my past landscape clients with pools to be my first accounts to sign up - always looking for an ally in the business that I can trust - I’ll keep in touch with you…
If I could only get you to turn the heater down outside, that would help tremendously (haha) - working with these pools isn’t near as difficult as trimming hedges and pruning palms this time of year - this is going to be a good transition - so looking forward to being part of the pool community - thanks again Tom for reaching out….
+3I’m late to this post, but wanted to chime in. I recently vacationed in Nokomis- absolutely love that area.
I’m also new to the industry, since this spring but have one valuable lesson to pass along… Vacation rentals should be priced differently than typical residential pools. We don’t have nearly as many vacation rental where I am as you probably have. My experience is that some of them will require many more visits, emergency calls, and certainly more chemicals.
Good luck! Don’t get discouraged. Some weeks you may feel like you are going backwards, other weeks you will grow tremendously.
+1Thank you Sharkeypools - definitely makes sense to me on the rentals - more bathers in those vacation rentals which means lots of sanitation chems - can only imagine the emergency calls - never a dull moment….
Like anything else, doing the chemistry with water samples over and over again, it will all start making sense - especially as you see it from week to week - it will become elementary within time….
Hope you’re having a good summer up there- - CHEERS ……
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