Pool Nation Podcast
Pool Nation Podcast
Pool Nation
E-275 Pool Nation Podcast - Pool Service Pricing 2026: How to Calculate Your REAL Cost Per Pool
1 hour 13 minutes Posted Nov 24, 2025 at 6:00 am.
– Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast
– The intro Edgar finally nailed after 6 years πŸ˜‚
– Team updates, nervous presentations & personal branding training
– Customer retention challenges & why winter months are deceptive
– Pool guy holidays & California storm stories
– Price increases for 2026 & what the financial reports are showing
– Why most pool pros undercharge without realizing it
– The β€œaha moment” when you finally calculate your real costs
– Why small companies MUST learn their cost per pool early
– The real expenses pool pros forget to include
– Death by a thousand cuts: the sneaky costs killing your margins
– Why you don’t need to be a CPA to understand your numbers
– Step 1 of the 5-Minute Cost-per-Pool Calculator
– Step 2: Add ALL your expenses (no exceptions)
– Cost per pool vs cost per stop β€” and why both matter
– How cost per stop reveals the β€œleaks” in your business
– Why your emotional pricing is hurting your profits
– The hidden expense that steals thousands: drive time
– Fuel, maintenance, and the REAL cost of trucks
– Insurance: the fastest-rising expense in the industry
– Labor burden explained (your $22/hr tech REALLY costs $28–$30)
– Red flags to look for when reviewing your chemical spend
– Office & administrative costs most pros forget to calculate
– How non-billable hours crush profitability
– Why clarity is the most powerful business advantage
– What’s coming in Part 3: Pricing for 2026 & target margins
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Show notes
Pool service pricing has changed β€” and today we break down the number that decides EVERYTHING in your business: your true cost per pool and cost per stop.
In episode 275 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac go deep into the financial side of running a profitable pool service business. We walk through the 5-minute cost-per-pool calculator, the expenses most pros overlook, how to calculate your real cost per stop, how drive time destroys profitability, and why understanding this number becomes your most powerful business tool heading into 2026.
Whether you're a one-pole operator or building a multi-truck operation, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to price correctly, protect your margins, grow profitably, and eliminate the guesswork.
If you’ve ever wondered β€œHow much should I charge?” β€” THIS is the episode you’ve been waiting for.
⏱️ Timestamps
πŸ™ Thank You to Our Visionary Sponsors
A huge thank you to our podcast partners and sponsors who make education like this possible:
The SPPA –
BluRay XL – 
AquaStar Pool Products – 
Natural Chemistry – 
Raypak – 
Heritage Pool Supply Group
Hayward Pool Products – 
Poolside Tech – 
Pool Brain
NEC / US Motors – 
We appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to the pool industry.