Pool Service Pricing by Region: Real Rates from 15+ Professionals (2026)
What should you charge for pool service? It's one of the most common questions new operators ask, and the answer varies dramatically by region, service type, and how you structure your chemical billing. We compiled responses from 15+ pool service professionals who shared their real pricing in a recent r/PoolPros discussion. The data reveals significant regional differences and strong opinions on which service tiers are worth offering.
Key Findings
- Weekly full service ranges from $130/month (Florida) to $450/month (Virginia)
- Texas operators in DFW charge $200-$350/month for weekly service with chemicals
- Many experienced pros have stopped offering bi-weekly service entirely
- Chemical billing structure varies: included vs. billed separately affects pricing
- Filter cleans are increasingly charged as extras, not included in base price
Survey Overview: Who Responded
The data comes from a Reddit discussion in r/PoolPros where professionals openly shared their regional rates for weekly, bi-weekly, and chemical-only services. Respondents span Texas, California, Florida, Virginia, New York, and other markets. The sample includes solo operators, multi-truck operations, and everything in between.
Weekly Full Service Pricing by Region
Weekly full service—cleaning plus chemicals—is the bread and butter of most pool routes. Here's what professionals reported charging across different markets:
Texas: DFW vs. Houston
Texas shows interesting regional variation even within the state. DFW operators reported higher rates than Houston, likely reflecting different market dynamics and cost structures.
| Location | Weekly Service | Chemicals | Filter Clean | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFW (Flower Mound) | $225-$400/mo | Included | Extra | "Have some at $400 but they are extreme" |
| Fort Worth (SW side) | $200-$350/mo | Basic included | Extra | Stabilizer, algaecides extra |
| Houston | $150/mo | Separate | — | Market rate $180-200 |
California: SoCal and Sacramento
California operators reported consistent pricing around $180/month for weekly service with chemicals included. Filter cleans are commonly charged separately.
| Location | Weekly Service | Chemicals | Filter Clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoCal (average) | $180/mo | Included | $125 extra |
| Sacramento | $180/mo | Included | — |
Florida: The Race to the Bottom
Florida operators reported the lowest prices in the survey, with some noting the competitive pressure is intense. Dynamic pricing based on pool type helps differentiate.
| Pool Type | Weekly Service | Chemicals | Filter/Salt Cell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screened pools | $130/mo | Included | Included |
| Open pools | $150/mo | Included | Included |
Florida operators noted that anyone charging in the $115-120 range is "going to run themselves out of business in a few years" but acknowledged the competitive reality of the market.
Virginia and New York: Premium Markets
Virginia reported the highest per-visit rates in the survey, though the billing structure differs significantly. Chemicals are billed separately, which changes the math considerably.
| Location | Service Type | Price | Chemicals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Weekly (billed every 4 weeks) | $450 | Extra |
| Virginia | Bi-weekly (after 2nd visit) | $250 | Extra |
| Virginia | Monthly | $125 | Extra |
| Upstate NY | Per visit | $100-$150 | Extra |
The Case Against Bi-Weekly Service
One of the strongest themes in the discussion was experienced operators advising against bi-weekly service. Multiple professionals shared that bi-weekly customers cause disproportionate problems.
Bi-weekly service means there's a timeline where the pool has only been seen once in 21 days. Many operators have stopped offering it entirely.
Problems with Bi-Weekly
- Twice the work every other week for less money
- 21-day gap between service visits
- Customers blame you when storms cause bad pools
- Higher complaint rate than weekly customers
- Insurance considerations in some states
When Bi-Weekly Makes Sense
- When you're building your route and need volume
- Customers who truly understand the limitations
- Markets where it's standard (rare)
- Documented agreements about maintenance expectations
This respondent noted that there was a lawsuit in Texas involving someone getting sick from an untreated pool where service had been discontinued. While the pool company won, insurance companies don't like going to court.
Chemical-Only Service Pricing
Chemical-only service—where you handle water chemistry but not cleaning—is offered by some operators as a lower-cost alternative. Pricing varies significantly:
| Location | Chemical-Only Rate | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $75/mo + chemicals | Base + materials | Below market rate |
| Fort Worth, TX | $150/mo | Flat rate | No baskets, bags, backwash extra |
| Virginia | $125/hr (1hr min) | Hourly | Chems sold by lb/qt/bag |
Filter Cleaning: Include or Charge Extra?
Filter cleaning is increasingly being charged separately rather than included in base service. The survey showed varying approaches:
- SoCal: $125 for filter cleans (service customers), $175 for non-service customers
- DFW: Filter cleans extra, price varies
- Florida: Often included in base price (contributing to lower margins)
- Virginia: Included if filter is 5 lbs above clean pressure
Per-Visit vs. Monthly Billing
An important pricing consideration raised in the discussion: billing per visit vs. flat monthly rates.
Per-Visit Billing
- Capture all 5-week months (5 months/year)
- More transparent for customers
- Common in Northeast and seasonal markets
- Example: $100-150/visit (NY)
Monthly Flat Rate
- Predictable revenue for planning
- Simpler for customer budgeting
- Common in year-round markets
- May leave money on table
Setting Your Prices: Key Considerations
Based on the survey responses, here are the factors professionals consider when setting prices:
Market Factors
- Regional competition and going rates
- Cost of living in your area
- Seasonal vs. year-round market
- Pool density and travel time
- Customer demographics
Service Factors
- What's included (chemicals, filters, etc.)
- Screened vs. open pools (debris load)
- Pool size and complexity
- Equipment age and condition
- Customer expectations
Use our Service Price Calculator to model different pricing structures for your market, or check our Chemical Dosage Calculator to understand your true chemical costs.
Key Takeaways
Summary: What the Data Reveals
- Regional variation is significant: Florida at $130 vs. Virginia at $450 for similar services
- Texas varies within the state: DFW commands $200-350 while Houston sees $150-200
- Bi-weekly is risky: Experienced operators recommend avoiding or charging premium prices
- Charge for extras: Filter cleans, stabilizer, and specialty chemicals should be line items
- Per-visit billing captures more: 5-week months happen 5 times per year
- Document everything: Especially for bi-weekly and chemical-only service
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