Pricing Power: Building Profit Into Every Pool Service

Pool Nation Podcast — Episode 274

In Episode 274 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac kick off a new business series by tackling one of the most uncomfortable—but critical—topics in the pool industry: pricing. More specifically, they break down why so many pool pros feel busy every day yet struggle to build real profit into their services.

Fresh off the Pool Nation Conference, the guys recap the energy around the $10,000 Pool Pro Challenge, recognize this year’s Pool Guy/Girl of the Year and Rookie of the Year winners, and then dive headfirst into the financial reality pool businesses are facing in 2025.

Equipment prices are rising.
Chemical costs continue to climb.
Insurance, utilities, labor, and drive time are more expensive than ever.

Despite all of this, many pool pros delay raising prices until it’s almost too late—or try to fix profit problems by adding more pools instead of improving margin. Edgar and Zac explain why chasing revenue instead of profit keeps businesses stuck in the grind, and why understanding your true cost-per-pool is the foundation of financial stability.

They walk through what really belongs in cost-per-pool calculations, why most pros dramatically underestimate their true costs, and how things like drive time, callbacks, admin labor, insurance, and vehicle wear quietly destroy profit when ignored. They also explain why relying only on apps to track chemical costs can create a false sense of security if you’re not looking at what actually leaves your bank account.

This episode is Part 1 of a multi-episode series on Pricing Power: Building Profit Into Every Service. By the end of this conversation, you’ll understand why knowing your numbers matters more than working harder—and why clarity creates confidence in pricing decisions.

If you’ve ever looked at your account balance and thought,
“Why am I working seven days a week and still feel broke?”
—this episode is for you.

Episode Chapters / Timestamps

[00:00:00] Intro – Pool Nation Podcast opening & show welcome
[00:01:00] Edgar sets the stage – pricing & building profit into every service
[00:02:00] Zac on the “slow season” that isn’t really slow
[00:03:00] Post-conference recap – Pool Nation Conference, Awards & $10K Challenge
[00:06:00] The reality of 2025 – slowing builds and rising costs
[00:07:00] Equipment price increases and margin pressure
[00:09:00] Everything costs more – chemicals, supplies, utilities
[00:11:00] The loss-leader trap in weekly service
[00:12:00] Treating each business vertical as its own micro-business
[00:14:00] Why most pool pros fall behind financially
[00:16:00] The “busy but broke” problem
[00:18:00] The power of knowing your numbers
[00:19:00] Why pros avoid raising prices
[00:21:00] Reality check – costs don’t wait
[00:23:00] Confidence through cost-per-pool clarity
[00:27:00] What cost-per-pool really means
[00:31:00] Breaking down real costs that kill profit
[00:34:00] Drive time and hidden minutes
[00:37:00] Vehicle wear and tear
[00:38:00] Insurance creep
[00:40:00] Replacing equipment and office tools
[00:42:00] Scenario math – why a “$30 stop” barely profits
[00:45:00] Hidden leaks in service work
[00:48:00] Growth realities as teams scale
[00:51:00] The four phases of a pool business
[00:55:00] App data vs real-world costs
[00:59:00] Edgar’s warning – don’t get lost in pool-by-pool math
[01:01:00] What’s coming in Part 2
[01:02:00] Final thoughts – financial wellbeing starts with knowing your numbers

What’s Coming Next

This episode is Part 1 of the Pricing Power series. In upcoming episodes, Edgar and Zac will break down a 5-minute cost-per-pool calculator, margin-building strategies, confident price increases, and how to retain customers while charging what the business actually needs.

Thank You to Our Visionary Partners & Sponsors

This episode is made possible by the Visionary Partners who support education and financial success for pool pros:

SPPA
Blu-Ray XL
AquaStar Pool Products
Natural Chemistry
Raypak
Heritage Pool Supply
Hayward Pool Products
Poolside Tech
Pool Brain
Nidec
US Motors

Thank you for supporting the Pool Nation Podcast and the Pool Nation community.