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 The pool service industry is changing fast—and 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point.In this video, I break down my thoughts on The State of Pool Service in 2026, a report complied by Skimmer, covering the biggest industry trends, technology shifts, pricing pressures, labor challenges, and digital tools reshaping how pool pros operate.From automation and route optimization to customer expectations and profitability, this is a must-watch for pool service companies, pool techs, and pool business owners who want to stay competitive in the years ahead.You’ll learn:📌 Where the pool service industry is headed in 2026📌 How software, automation, and digital tools are changing the game📌 What successful pool companies are doing differently📌 Common mistakes holding pool businesses back📌 How to prepare your pool service company for the futureWhether you’re a solo pool tech or running a growing pool service business, this breakdown gives you a clear look at what’s coming—and how to stay ah

Greetings:My name is Brian Woodworth and I consider myself to be an independent “expert” on the programming and operational optimization of Skimmer.   I am a business consultant that specializes in helping small companies achieve operational control using available technologies like Skimmer.In the two years that I have been using Skimmer, I have helped new users configure and optimize new implementations, and I have also helped existing users modify/supplement/enhance their existing installations.   I have installed CRM’s to work in concert with Skimmer, and I have also optimized their financial connectivity using the QBO integration.  I have helped companies with 0 to 6 years of experience with Skimmer, and ALL have benefited immensely.  I am well-versed in the fields of finance, employee engagement, quality control, human health & safety, engineering, inventory control & management, training, and customer service.  With respect to Skimmer, I am proficient at strategically con

I’m looking to buy some routes in and around Northern California to support my pool service operations.  LMK if interested!

I’m looking to buy some routes in and around Northern California to support my pool service operations.  LMK if interested!

Asking Price: $144,000Annual Gross Revenue: ~$184,000Route Size: 80 residential poolsStatus: Actively Serviced · Turnkey Operation This is a high-quality, tightly clustered Tri-Valley pool service route designed for operational efficiency, predictable cash flow, and low overhead. Ideal for an owner-operator or an established company looking to scale with minimal friction. Key Highlights80 well-maintained residential pools Tight geographic footprint across San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore Low mileage: ~10,000 miles driven annually Strong customer quality: Long-term, stable accounts 50% of customers on auto-pay, improving cash flow consistency Annual filter cleaning program: $229 per pool per year Clean service history, no deferred maintenance issues Why This Route PerformsEfficient routing reduces fuel, labor, and wear on vehicles Auto-pay penetration lowers collections risk and admin time Annual filter cleaning program provides built-in upsell and recurring revenue Prime Tr

 Space Coast Pool School is hosting a live virtual CPO course on Saturday, January 17, 2026, taught by industry professional Anthony Stanback, a valued member of our expert SCPS instructor team.🔥 Small Zoom classes🔥 Interactive, instructor-led training🔥 Perfect for pool pros, property managers & operators📅 01/17/2026 (Saturday)📍 Live on Zoom🔗 Save your spot today:https://cpocertified.com/event/january-17-2026-sat-1-day-virtual-fusion-hybrid-cpo/ 

Hey everyone,I’m curious to hear how other pool professionals approach billing for plaster startups. Do you typically charge a flat fee, base it on square footage, gallons, or go time and materials?Personally, I charge by the square foot of water surface area, with the rate varying depending on the type of interior finish. I stay on the pool for at least three weeks, and I usually try to wrap up the startup during the last week of the month so it transitions smoothly into normal maintenance billing. I’ll often discount the startup if the customer hires me for ongoing service — and in some cases, like a pebble pool with no salt system, I’ll even include the startup at no additional charge, since my costs are minimal.That said, I’m not always sure if I’m giving away too much on the startup when they sign on for maintenance, so I’d love to hear how others handle that balance.How do you all handle it? What’s your philosophy on pricing, timeline, and transitioning into regular maintenance?

POOL ROUTE & STORE FOR SALE   AREA/LOCATIONPORTERVILLE, LINDSAY, STRATHMOORE, TERRA BELLA, SPRINGVILLE STORE LOCATION 1031 W N GRAND AVE PORTERVILLE AMOUNT OF POOLS 140 POOLS TOTAL  MOSTLY RESIDENTIAL 5 ARE COMMERCIAL FEW ARE START UPS PENDING SERVICE APPROVAL ABOUT 5 TOTAL GROSS INCOME MONTHLY/YEARLYROUTE: 25K MONTHLY 300K ANNUALLY BASED ON MONTHLY INVOICE NOT INCLUDING FILTER CLEANS AND REPAIRS STORE: 6K MONTHLY ON AVERAGE 70K ANNUALLY TOTAL MONTHLY 30K+ TOTAL YEARLY 370K+ SALES PRICE ASKING 175K  CALL HERE FOR MORE INFO559-901-6783 OR EMAIL INFO@POOLS PLUS FOR MORE INFO   OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE IF NEEDED (PAY DEPOSIT AND MONTHLY PAYMENT) CAN DO A RIDE ALONG TO CHECK OUT POOLS MIXTURE OF NEW BUILD POOLS AND OLDER POOLS 

Hey everyone,I’m curious to hear from other pool service companies, when did you decide it was time to bring in a CRM tool to manage your business?A few specific things I’d love to know:Roughly how many pools/accounts were you managing when you made the switch How many employees or techs you had at that point What CRM features ended up making the biggest difference for your operations And of course, which company or platform you went withI’ve heard some people using Go High Level as a good budget CRM option, and it sounds like Skimmer might be planning an integration with them, which sounds interesting.Would love to hear your experiences, what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently if you were starting over.

💻 Fusion Hybrid | Live on ZoomJoin David Rockwell, seasoned PHTA instructor, for a weekday Fusion Hybrid Certified Pool Operator® (CPO®) course designed for busy pool professionals.🗓 Wednesday, January 14, 2026🖥 Live via Zoom👥 Small class sizes for better interaction and personalized online instructionThis interactive virtual format combines expert instruction with real-world experience—perfect for those who want quality training without the weekend commitment.⚠️ Limited spots available – register early!👉 Register now:https://cpocertified.com/event/january-14-2026-wed-1-day-virtual-fusion-cpo/ 

I think we should be looking at HVAC, electrical, plumbers who are all a decade ahead of us. Im in a best practices group and they are running trades much more profitable. Here is what I would like to see in Skimmer for pricing a jobSet a Job Install Pump. That is the job. In the job you set time. Two hours. In the system you set your $250/hr for labor. So it knows it needs to charge $500 for labor. Then when you select the job there is  an add product feature and you select the product from your catalog. So say you select a pump and the cost is $1500. you set in the settings all products between $1000-2000 get a 75% margin on them. So if the pump is 1500, and then later when we have heritage linked if the price becomes 1600 you don’t need to do anything, it will stall take the margin you want on the pump and the labor. And maybe you add a second item which is a new electrical whip. Price is $20 and your margins on that may be 150% because you set your margins at 150 for anything betwe