Break-Even Truck & Tech Calculator
Calculate exactly how many stops you need to break even on a new service vehicle and technician hire. Expand with confidence, not guesswork.
Break-Even Analysis
When to Add a New Truck to Your Fleet
Adding a new truck and technician is one of the biggest decisions a pool service company makes. It's a significant monthly commitment that either accelerates your growth or drains your profits. This calculator helps you make that decision with clarity.
Understanding the Break-Even Point
The break-even point is the minimum number of stops needed for the new truck to pay for itself. Below this number, you're subsidizing the expansion from other routes. Above it, the new truck generates profit.
Most pool service trucks need 60-80 stops to break even, depending on your market rates and cost structure. Don't add a truck until you have enough demand to reach break-even quickly—ideally within 30-60 days of launch.
Common Mistakes When Expanding
- Underestimating vehicle costs: It's not just the payment. Insurance, fuel, maintenance, and eventual replacement all add up.
- Forgetting payroll taxes and benefits: A $3,500/month salary actually costs $4,000-4,500 with taxes and benefits.
- Optimistic revenue projections: New routes take time to fill. Plan for 3-6 months to reach capacity.
- Ignoring chemical costs: At $5/stop, chemicals cost $400/month on an 80-stop route. That's real money.
- Not planning for turnover: What happens if the tech quits? Have contingency plans.
Signs You're Ready to Expand
- You're turning away new customers regularly
- Existing routes are at 90%+ capacity
- You have a waiting list of interested customers
- Cash reserves to cover 3-6 months of negative cash flow
- Systems in place to train and manage a new tech
The Right Way to Add a Truck
Don't buy the truck until you have the customers. Start by building a waiting list. When you have enough committed customers to reach 70% of break-even, make the purchase. This ensures you're profitable quickly rather than bleeding money while building the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy or lease the truck?
Both options work. Leasing preserves cash and often includes maintenance, making monthly costs more predictable. Buying builds equity and typically has lower total cost over time. For pool service, a 3-5 year old used truck often offers the best value—let someone else take the depreciation hit while you get a reliable vehicle at a lower payment.
How long should it take to reach break-even?
Aim to reach break-even within 60-90 days of launching the new truck. If you don't have enough customer demand to hit this target, you may be expanding too early. Build your waiting list before committing to the expansion. Slower markets may take 4-6 months, which means you need sufficient cash reserves.
What about overhead costs beyond the truck?
This calculator focuses on direct costs. Remember to account for increased overhead: additional equipment, uniforms, phone line, insurance riders, software licenses, and management time. These typically add 10-20% to your direct costs. Factor them into your planning.
Should I hire before or after buying the truck?
Ideally, hire and train the tech 2-4 weeks before the truck arrives. They can ride along on existing routes, learn your processes, and be ready to work independently when the new truck arrives. Never put an untrained tech on a route solo—it destroys customer relationships and creates expensive callbacks.
What ROI should I expect from a new truck?
A well-run pool service truck should generate 25-40% profit margin after all costs. On an 80-stop route at $45/stop, that's $500-1,400/month in profit. The truck pays for itself in profit over 2-4 years while you build equity in the route. Focus on reaching and maintaining capacity—that's where the real money is.
Never Miss Another Customer Call
When you're expanding your fleet and training new techs, the last thing you need is missed calls. Pool Dial answers every call professionally and captures new customer inquiries 24/7.
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