For the past few years we have only done weekly service on residential pools. This year we would like to take on a few commercial pools. I have been certified for years and have serviced commercial pools when I worked for another company. So my questions are, How do you price the job? I know that I will need to be there 2 times a week for cleaning and 1 time just to check chems. How did you word your contract? Is there anyone that would send me a copy of there commercial service agreement? What are some tips you have for someone just getting into the commercial side of things? Thanks for your help.
Derrick
Replies
You really need a good lawyer to word it right to limit your liability. There are all kinds of things that can go wrong that aren't really your fault that you can get blamed for. What if some kids shits in the pool between services and someone gets ecoli. Even though you've done everything right chemically...you can still get blamed. What if a drunken guest leaves broken glass on the bottom. And dealing with county inspectors is another headache. If you get off to a good start and make them your friend your life will be easy. I do commercial pools in Atlanta and have found that the inspectors can be either 20 year pros or a teenage kid doing a summer job. At one pool I had to actually show the young kid how to test for the Ph using his Taylor kit. He said my Ph was off and I told him "no way"...I had just checked it. He didn't even know the proper reagents and he never rinsed the tube out...as well as not putting the drops in right. Try to do commercial pools that don't have a lot of traffic and aren't busy like a Super 8 Motel pool in the suburbs. If you get a busy neighborhood pool the moms will drive you crazy!!!