Calculate your maximum stops per day and see how many more accounts you can add to each route without overtime
Understanding your route capacity is essential for growing your pool service business without burning out your team. This calculator helps you determine the maximum number of pools you can service in a day and how much room you have to add new accounts.
Route capacity is calculated using a simple formula:
Maximum Stops = (Available Work Hours - Buffer Time) / (Service Time + Drive Time)
For example, if you work 8 hours with a 30-minute buffer, spend 25 minutes per pool, and drive 8 minutes between stops, your calculation would be:
(480 min - 30 min) / (25 min + 8 min) = 450 / 33 = 13.6 stops, rounded down to 13 stops per day.
Service Time Variations: Not all pools take the same time. Larger pools, pools with heavy debris, or pools with complex equipment may take 35-45 minutes, while small residential pools might only need 15-20 minutes. Use your average time for planning, but track outliers.
Drive Time and Route Density: This is often the biggest variable. Tightly clustered routes in one neighborhood might average 5 minutes between stops, while spread-out routes could average 15+ minutes. Route optimization can dramatically increase capacity.
Buffer Time: Always include buffer time for lunch, bathroom breaks, unexpected issues (equipment problems, customer conversations, traffic), and end-of-day paperwork. Most pros use 30-60 minutes of buffer per day.
Seasonal Variations: Summer pools often need more attention (higher chemical usage, more debris from swimmers). Winter pools in warm climates may be quicker. Adjust your estimates seasonally.
Once you know your maximum capacity, you can make informed decisions about growth:
Optimize Your Route: Use route optimization software or manually reorganize stops to minimize drive time. Even saving 2 minutes per stop adds up to an extra stop or two per day.
Cluster New Accounts: When taking on new customers, prioritize those near existing stops. A new account 2 minutes from your current route is worth more than one 15 minutes away.
Standardize Service Time: Create consistent service checklists and procedures. This reduces variability and helps you predict capacity more accurately.
Consider Service Tiers: Offer "quick service" and "full service" tiers. Quick service (skim, chemicals, basic check) might take 15 minutes, while full service (brush, vacuum, filter check) takes 35 minutes. This lets you fit more stops when needed.
Most pool technicians service 12-20 pools per day, depending on service type, drive times, and pool complexity. Weekly maintenance routes typically allow 15-18 stops, while chemical-only service might allow 20-25 stops. Full-service visits with vacuuming and brushing might limit you to 10-14 stops.
For weekly maintenance including skimming, chemical testing, basket cleaning, and basic inspection, most pros average 20-30 minutes per pool. Chemical-only service might be 10-15 minutes. Full-service with vacuuming and brushing typically runs 30-45 minutes.
Plan for 30-60 minutes of buffer time per day. This covers lunch, unexpected delays, customer conversations, traffic, and end-of-day paperwork. If you regularly run over your estimated time, increase your buffer or adjust your service time estimates.
Group accounts geographically by neighborhood or ZIP code. Use route optimization software like Google Maps, Skimmer, or dedicated routing tools. Schedule new accounts on days when you're already in their area. Consider dropping accounts that are far from your main service area.
No. Operating at 100% capacity leaves no room for delays, emergencies, or growth. Most successful pool service businesses target 75-85% utilization, leaving room to accommodate new customers and handle unexpected situations without overtime.
In peak season, pools may need more attention (longer service times). In off-season, some pools close or need less frequent service. Track your actual times by season and adjust your capacity planning accordingly. Many pros take on extra summer accounts knowing they'll have capacity in winter.
Consider hiring when you're consistently above 85% capacity and turning away work, or when growth opportunities exceed your personal capacity. A new tech typically needs 40-60 accounts to be profitable, so make sure you have enough demand before hiring.
Understanding your capacity helps you price appropriately. If you're at capacity and turning away work, you can raise prices. If you have excess capacity, you might offer discounts to fill empty slots. Knowing your true capacity also helps you calculate your effective hourly rate.
While you're maximizing your route capacity, Pool Dial answers every call professionally and captures new customer inquiries 24/7. Focus on the pools while AI handles your phone.
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