Deliver High Quality Pool Inspections Using Pro Pool Inspectors App with Founder, Dennis Boyd
Key Takeaways
- Professional pool inspection software can reduce report creation time from 4 hours to minutes while improving quality and consistency
- Separating inspection services from repair work enhances credibility and eliminates conflicts of interest with clients
- Pool inspections can serve as powerful lead generation tools for service companies when positioned correctly
- Limiting liability by focusing on observable conditions rather than invasive testing protects inspectors while still providing valuable client insights
- The pool inspection market extends beyond traditional service companies to include real estate, insurance, and independent inspection professionals
Picture this: You're a pool professional called to inspect a property, you identify all the issues, and then the client asks you to "write it up." Where do you start? How do you create a professional report that covers everything without spending hours on documentation? This exact scenario sparked the creation of what would become one of the pool industry's most innovative inspection solutions.
In a recent episode of the Pool Chasers Podcast, Dennis Boyd, founder of Pro Pool Inspectors App, shared his journey from struggling pool inspector to software innovator. His story reveals not just the challenges facing pool professionals today, but also the creative solutions that can transform how we approach pool inspections and grow our businesses.
The Birth of a Solution: From Four-Hour Reports to Streamlined Inspections
Dennis Boyd's entry into pool inspections came through an unexpected path. With a background in healthcare where he performed arterial blood gas testing, he had a natural understanding of water chemistry when he transitioned into the pool industry. However, his first inspection experience revealed a glaring problem in the industry.
A buddy of mine called me, he was a home inspector, and he said, hey, come over here and tell me what's wrong with this pool. And so I did, basically pointed to the heater that was leaking and said, hey, that's not per manufacturer design, that's probably got a heat exchanger busted. This was like, you know, 2010, I think it was. And then he said, write it up. And I was like, how do I do that? What do you want me to do? Write it up to who, who gets it?
— Dennis Boyd, Pool Chasers Podcast
This moment of confusion led to a painstaking process of cutting and pasting photos in Excel, spending up to four hours creating a single inspection report. When other home inspectors in town heard about Dennis's pool inspection capabilities, the demand grew, but so did the time burden. It became clear that the pool industry desperately needed dedicated inspection software.
The turning point came when Dennis realized that existing home inspection software couldn't accommodate pool-specific requirements. This gap in the market presented both a challenge and an opportunity that would ultimately reshape how pool inspections are conducted.
Building Software by Pool People, for Pool People
What sets the Pro Pool Inspectors App apart from generic inspection software is its foundation in real-world pool industry experience. Dennis and his team didn't just create software; they solved problems they had personally encountered in the field.
Some of the features of the app are designed based on problems that we ran into ourselves. It's a product created by pool people for pool people. It's for a person that wants to go out, record data, make notes, take pictures, create a file, and email that file PDF.
— Dennis Boyd, Pool Chasers Podcast
The app's development philosophy centers on practicality and user experience. Rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity, the software focuses on answering the two most critical questions clients ask: "Does everything work the way it's supposed to work?" and "Does it leak?"
Key features of the Pro Pool Inspectors App include:
- Comprehensive checklists covering gates, pools, spas, and mechanical equipment
- Color-coded reporting system with clear explanations for non-technical readers
- Professional PDF report generation with cover pages and welcome letters
- Photo integration and documentation capabilities
- Customizable inspection categories based on property features
The software's intuitive design means that inspectors can focus on what they do best—identifying issues and providing expert analysis—while the app handles the documentation and report generation seamlessly.
Transparency and Ethics: Separating Inspection from Repair Services
One of the most valuable lessons from Dennis's experience involves the importance of transparency in pool inspections. Initially, his pool service company offered inspections as part of their service portfolio, but this created potential conflicts of interest that could undermine client trust.
We noticed that offering that in our service company was kind of a gray area because it wasn't transparent as it could be. And so we just decided, hey, let's make this thing as transparent as possible. And so we separated it. We created another LLC.
— Dennis Boyd, Pool Chasers Podcast
This separation of inspection and repair services addresses a common concern in the industry: the perception that inspectors might exaggerate problems to generate repair work. By creating Pro Pool Inspectors as a separate entity that doesn't perform repairs, Dennis established credibility and trust with clients who need unbiased assessments.
This approach offers several benefits:
- Enhanced credibility with real estate agents and homebuyers
- Elimination of conflicts of interest
- Ability to provide truly objective assessments
- Increased referral potential from satisfied clients
- Clear separation of revenue streams
For pool professionals considering inspection services, this model demonstrates how transparency can become a competitive advantage rather than a limitation.
Smart Risk Management: Limiting Liability While Maximizing Value
Professional pool inspections require a careful balance between thoroughness and liability management. Dennis's approach emphasizes staying within the bounds of expertise while still providing valuable insights to clients.
We instruct guys not to get in the pool to open up that liability because the question being asked, does the pool leak? We can tell them with tools, does the pool leak? And we're answering that question. So we're not telling them where the leak's at because the computers just won't do that. But we can answer the question, does it leak?
— Dennis Boyd, Pool Chasers Podcast
This philosophy of limiting liability while maximizing value extends throughout the inspection process. The app is designed to help inspectors stay within safe boundaries while still providing comprehensive assessments that answer clients' most pressing questions.
Risk management strategies include:
- Using non-invasive testing methods and tools
- Focusing on observable conditions rather than hidden structural issues
- Providing clear disclaimers about inspection scope and limitations
- Documenting findings thoroughly without overstepping expertise boundaries
- Referring specialized issues to appropriate professionals
Market Opportunities: Beyond Traditional Pool Service
The Pro Pool Inspectors App has found applications far beyond traditional pool service companies. Dennis reports success with home inspectors, real estate professionals, insurance inspectors, and even creative applications like neighborhood marketing tools.
The versatility of the platform has opened up multiple revenue streams and market opportunities:
- Real Estate Market: Home inspectors and real estate agents use the app to provide comprehensive pool assessments during property transactions
- Insurance Industry: Insurance professionals utilize the software for policy evaluations and claims assessments
- Pool Service Companies: Traditional service providers use inspections as lead generation tools and premium service offerings
- Independent Inspectors: Entrepreneurs launch dedicated pool inspection businesses using the platform
The pricing model accommodates different usage levels, from one-time users at $29 per inspection to monthly subscriptions for regular users. This flexibility makes the platform accessible to both occasional users and full-time inspection professionals.
Training and Support: Building Industry Expertise
Recognizing that effective pool inspections require both software tools and industry knowledge, Pro Pool Inspectors offers comprehensive training and support programs. Dennis emphasizes that while the app streamlines the documentation process, inspector expertise remains crucial for accurate assessments.
What makes me a good inspector is my knowledge of the industry. So when it does that, it will put a cover photo page, a welcome letter. It even has a third page is a color key information that says, hey, the information you're getting ready to see is color coded. And this is what red means. And this is what orange means on the report.
— Dennis Boyd, Pool Chasers Podcast
The company provides multiple support resources:
- Regular training classes, especially during peak season preparation
- Video tutorials and archived training materials
- Zoom-based training sessions for remote learning
- Direct access to Dennis for personalized consultation
- Ongoing app updates based on user feedback
This commitment to education ensures that users can maximize the app's potential while developing the expertise needed to provide valuable inspection services.
The Future of Pool Inspections
As the pool industry continues to evolve, professional inspection services represent a growing opportunity for service providers looking to diversify their revenue streams and provide additional value to clients. The success of Pro Pool Inspectors App demonstrates that technology can solve real industry problems while creating new business opportunities.
For pool professionals considering adding inspection services to their portfolio, the key takeaways are clear: focus on transparency, invest in proper tools and training, understand liability limitations, and recognize that inspections can serve as powerful lead generation and relationship-building tools.
The combination of industry expertise, professional software tools, and ethical business practices creates a foundation for successful pool inspection services that benefit both service providers and their clients. As Dennis Boyd's journey shows, sometimes the best innovations come from solving your own problems—and those solutions often address industry-wide needs that create lasting business opportunities.
Whether you're a seasoned pool professional looking to expand your services or a newcomer seeking a specialized niche, professional pool inspections offer a path to differentiation, increased revenue, and enhanced client relationships in an increasingly competitive market.
Episode Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and Dennis Boyd's Background
- 05:30 The Problem with Manual Pool Inspections
- 12:15 Creating Pro Pool Inspectors App
- 18:45 Separating Inspection from Repair Services
- 25:20 App Features and Functionality
- 32:10 Liability Management and Best Practices
- 38:50 Market Opportunities and Pricing
- 45:30 Training and Support Programs
- 52:15 Future Plans and Industry Impact
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