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A pool is a luxury many enjoy for swimming laps or simply lounging with friends and family. But once everyone leaves the pool, dirt, oils, sweat, dust, pollen, and other airborne debris remain in the pool water. A good filtration system will clean out a significant amount of contaminants, but every pool owner knows that you also need to clean the swimming pool with a series of pool cleaning accessories, like a brush, net, or one of the best pool vacuums. And maintaining the right cleaning schedule and chemical balance is something that can drive many pool owners batty, which is why you may consider professional swimming pool cleaning services. It can be difficult to find the best pool cleaning service in your area, but this guide will highlight some noteworthy nationwide providers.
- BEST OVERALL: America’s Swimming Pool Company
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Pool Troopers
- BEST FOR HOT TUBS: Premier Pool Service
- BEST COMMERCIAL SERVICE: American Pool
- BEST AGGREGATOR: HomeAdvisor
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Pool Cleaning Services
Before hiring a company to clean a pool or perform regular maintenance, it’s a good idea to learn more about key factors that can impact your decision-making process. Consider the service area, the inspection process, offered contracts, and certification, as well as several additional factors detailed below.
Service Area
A pool cleaning company’s service area refers to the geographic area where the company operates. If an address falls outside of this area, the company may not offer its services, though some companies may still work with clients outside of the service area for an additional fee. If the only thing preventing a customer from deciding on a pool cleaning service is that they are a few minutes outside the service area, consider contacting the company and discussing whether this would require an additional travel fee.
Keep in mind that pool cleaning service often takes place over a months-long contract or even a yearly contract. Customers would need to clarify with the company representative whether an additional fee would be based on per visit pricing or bundled into the contract pricing. Also, it’s worth mentioning that companies closer to a customer’s home or business are better able to respond promptly to leaks and other pool emergencies than companies located farther away.
Residential vs. Commercial Service
A factor that is often overlooked is whether a pool cleaning service caters to residential clients or only offers cleaning and maintenance services to commercial customers, like community-owned pools or athletic centers. Prospective clients can check on a company’s website to determine if it provides residential services, commercial services, or a mixture of both.
Companies that only provide residential pool cleaning services tend to have contracts focused on specific residential pool owner needs, like opening and closing services. Hotels, schools, and athletic centers typically require pool cleaning and maintenance professionals that have experience working with much larger pools and a range of pool filtration equipment. However, companies that offer residential and commercial services benefit from stocking a wider variety of pool chemicals and pool cleaning accessories, so they can respond quickly to any issues that arise in either section of the industry.
Inspection and Quote Process
Due to the various pool sizes and types, it’s necessary for most companies to book an inspection appointment. The company will send an experienced pool technician to inspect the pool and its filtration system and get an idea of the current state of the pool before providing the customer with an estimate. Pricing can also depend on whether the customer is looking for a one-time cleaning or setting up an ongoing cleaning contract.
Some companies may provide a rough quote over the phone or by email, though customers should expect some difference between this blind quote and the final price. Suppose a prospective customer is on the fence about hiring a pool cleaning service. In that case, it’s recommended to ask for a blind quote based on the company’s average cleaning contract price because at least the customer will have an approximate price to work with while they decide.
Scheduling, Pricing, and Contracts
To start the process of hiring a pool cleaning service, it’s necessary to discuss the pricing and find out exactly how much it would be to have a professional cleaner in for a one-time cleaning or to sign a cleaning contract that will be fulfilled over a month or year. Some contracts may offer daily or weekly maintenance visits, while others may include pool opening and closing.
Find out the exact details from the individual who comes to inspect the pool and provide a quote, or speak to a customer service representative to better understand the prices and contract obligations. Most companies will allow a customer to book several appointments or even set up a recurring weekly appointment so that customers can plan family events around pool maintenance.
Certification and Insurance
One of the main reasons to pay for a professional pool cleaning service is that the technicians responsible for the pool are expertly trained and certified. In short, they know what they are doing and can get the job done in the most effective way possible for the best result.
The best way to identify a high-quality pool cleaning service is to ask about the employees’ training and if the company is certified. A Certified Pool and Spa Professional certificate provided by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance certifies that a technician has the knowledge, techniques, and skills required for proper pool operations.
Customer Support
If a company lacks customer support, it’s likely that it won’t last very long because there are few things more important than clear, concise communication, especially when customers are dealing with recurring scheduling, inspections, quotes, and providing access to the property. Pool cleaning services with knowledgeable customer support personnel who understand the industry and can quickly identify the customer’s needs can set a company apart from competitors, despite providing similar pool cleaning services.
To get a good idea of the quality of a company, call the customer support number or contact the company through email (if available) and ask about some of the essential services offered, the scheduling process, and pricing. Top-tier companies will have customer support representatives that can provide customers with the information they need in a friendly manner while remaining clear and to the point with the answers.
Additional Services
Very few pool cleaning services will limit the scope of the business to only cleaning pools. It would be difficult to find a company that didn’t include chemical balancing as another service alongside pool cleaning. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many pool cleaning services also offer maintenance contracts.
Some companies specialize in a few different pool cleaning and maintenance tasks, but others may be able to set up pool filtration equipment, work on hot tubs, or even dig in the yard to install a new pool. Check the company website or speak to a customer service representative for a complete list of services.
Our Top Picks
This list of the best pool cleaning services was selected for top-tier customer service, reasonable inspection processes, flexible scheduling, and reliable pool cleaning knowledge.
Best Overall
America’s Swimming Pool Company
- Service area: 22 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Certified technicians: Yes
- Additional services: Repairs, remodeling
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Proprietary software system automatically emails weekly water quality reports to customers
- Green-to-Clean service developed for algae-infested pools accelerates cleaning process
- Free in-depth inspection
Cons
- Customer service quality may vary by location due to franchising
Why It Made the Cut: Available in 22 states, America’s Swimming Pool Company offers free, in-depth inspections, and scheduling is available by phone or through the website. Founded in 2002, America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) has grown to 257 different locations across 22 states, making it one of the nation’s largest pool cleaning services. The company hasn’t just increased the number of locations; it has also steadily increased the various services it provides, including hot tub installation, pool leak repairs, and pool remodeling, alongside standard pool maintenance and cleaning services. Customer service quality may vary by location due to how each franchise is managed, but generally positive reviews mean customers can expect a seamless experience. After booking, customers can sign up to receive weekly water quality reports via email. Interested clients can head to the website or call in to speak to a customer service representative to book an appointment. They will be able to book a free, in-depth inspection, and the pool professional will provide a quote for the requested services. ASP offers a specialized algae treatment service called Green-to-Clean, which promises a 3- to 5-day recovery period for the pool water.
Best Bang for the Buck
Pool Troopers
- Service area: 3 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Certified technicians: Yes
- Additional services: Chemical service, repairs
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- “Net Zero” approach to pricing aims to save pool owners money on pool cleaning
- No contracts required
- Multiple cleaning or chemical-only packages so homeowners can customize the level of pool care
Cons
- Service area is limited to Florida, Texas, and Arizona
- Reports of customer support being difficult to reach
Why It Made the Cut: With its several decades of experience, Pool Troopers is a reliable pool cleaning service throughout Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Contracts can be prohibitive to some individuals who would like to hire a pool cleaning service but don’t like the idea of signing up for a monthly or yearly contract. With Pool Troopers, customers don’t need to worry about contracts because the company offers individual services that can be started or canceled at any time. This even includes the premium service. Once the service is canceled, a pool professional will remove the Pool Trooper salt chlorine generator and replumb the system at no extra cost. Some reviews report that customer support can be challenging to reach, but customers can contact representatives via phone or email. Pool Troopers is only available in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. But as these are some of the states where there are the most swimming pools per capita, many customers will benefit from Pool Troopers’ service. The company has a substantial amount of experience in the industry, having been in business since the company’s founding in 1952. Pool Troopers has a “Net Zero” approach to pricing, which essentially means that the company prices the cleaning services according to what a pool owner would spend if they were to buy the chemicals and cleaning accessories to take on the work themselves. Additionally, this company offers multiple cleaning or chemical-only packages, allowing customers to customize the level of service and price.
Best for Hot Tubs
Premier Pool Service
- Service area: 9 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Certified technicians: Not specified
- Additional Services: Hot tub and spa service, equipment installation, pool construction, repairs
- Customer support: Phone, email
Pros
- Technicians can service hot tubs and spas in addition to pools
- Technicians can install and repair pool equipment and tiles
- Comprehensive web FAQ section and pool care guidelines
Cons
- Services may vary by location
- Customer service quality may vary by location due to franchising
Why It Made the Cut: Streamline appointments and keep both pools and hot tubs clean with Premier Pool Service. Prospective customers with pools, hot tubs, or spas can rely on Premier Pool Service for cleaning. The company handles hot tubs and spas in addition to standard pool cleaning, so customers only need to book one appointment. Trained professionals can also install and repair pool equipment and tiles. The website provides a comprehensive FAQ section and pool care guidelines for avid DIYers to help tackle pool maintenance projects. For over 30 years, Premier Pool Service has been available in nine different states, though the available services vary depending on the location. Ensure that the nearest location offers the desired service before booking an appointment by phone or through the website. Similarly, the customer service quality can vary by location, but customers can contact representatives via phone or email.
Best Commercial Service
American Pool
- Service area: 17 states
- Scheduling: Online
- Certified technicians: Yes
- Additional services: Management, repairs, water feature maintenance, renovations
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Complete pool management for commercial pools
- Fountain and water feature maintenance available
- In-house training programs allow technicians to achieve higher levels of certification
Cons
- Service area is unclear on website
Why It Made the Cut: American Pool is an experienced company operating in 17 states and specializing in commercial pool cleaning and maintenance. Schools, apartment owners, community center managers, and hotels can contact American Pool for help with maintenance and cleaning services. American Pool has reliable, expert pool professionals that can even perform maintenance on fountains and other water features. The technicians are trained in-house and must pass specific tests to achieve higher levels of certification. This continuous training method helps improve the available skill set and service offerings to customers while keeping technicians up to date on the latest techniques and products. American Pool also has a complete pool management service that includes maintenance, mechanical operations, and even lifeguards. The company was founded in 1984 and has expanded to 31 locations across 17 states. It should be mentioned, however, that the exact service area seems unclear on the site. Hence, it’s essential to verify whether a specific address is within the service area before booking with the customer support staff.
Best Aggregator
HomeAdvisor
- Service area: 50 states
- Scheduling: Online
- Certified technicians: Varies by provider
- Additional services: Varies by provider
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Potential clients can filter by project and choose from local professionals
- Website is streamlined and user-friendly
Cons
- Name, phone number, and email are required to browse local services
Why It Made the Cut: Instead of researching individual companies, head to HomeAdvisor and take a look through the searchable database of qualified local professionals. Sometimes companies and expert professionals are better at actually performing the work than at advertising the business, which can lead to many talented professionals that customers have a hard time finding. HomeAdvisor helps fill the gap by providing a searchable database for customers to match up with trained professionals working within the selected service area. This means less time spent researching a company that may not provide the desired service through the nearest location. However, it’s important to note that while the website is streamlined and easy to use, it requires clients to enter their name, phone number, and email, which some individuals may not be comfortable providing online. But this information allows customers to find professionals who can definitely service their address and needs instead of hoping that their home falls into a business’s service area.
Our Verdict
Take advantage of the free in-depth inspection and broad 22-state service area offered by America’s Swimming Pool Company, or, if you prefer a contract-free approach, Pool Troopers is an excellent choice that’s available in Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
How We Chose the Best Pool Cleaning Services
It was necessary to research each company, the services offered, and the service area as well as the training standards, insurance, and warranties in order to select a list of the best pool cleaning services. Companies with a multi-state presence and clear, identifiable training standards were preferred to relatively isolated pool cleaning services with limited detail about the experts trusted with pool cleaning and maintenance.
It was also important to determine whether a company provided residential service, commercial service, or some combination of the two to understand the rates and booking processes. Positive reputation and customer satisfaction factored into the decision-making process. Generally, the selected pool cleaning services were transparent, knowledgeable, warrantied or insured their work, and provided clear communication to the customers.
Before You Hire One of the Best Pool Cleaning Services
Pool cleaning isn’t an emergency service, so before deciding to hire a pool cleaning company, take the time to weigh the costs and benefits. Some pool cleaning companies offer yearly contracts that can help to save money and offer year-long peace of mind about the safety and cleanliness of the pool. Other companies may have dedicated professionals available to make repairs, upgrades, or even dig a new pool for installation in the yard.
Research pool cleaning companies, verify that they hold the appropriate certifications, check what services they offer, and ask about pricing. Keep in mind that some companies don’t offer pricing up front, so you will need to set up an inspection appointment, at which time a quote will be provided. Another factor to verify before attempting to book is whether the company is available in your location. Most pool cleaning services will state the service area, but if it isn’t listed on their website, it’s recommended to call or message the company.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Pool Cleaning Services
Given that pool cleaning and minor pool maintenance are tasks that a dedicated DIYer can complete, the cost of hiring a pool cleaning service is often the deciding factor. Many pool owners balance the benefit of freeing up time and getting high-quality cleaning and maintenance results against the monetary cost and ease of scheduling. So, it’s crucial to know the exact costs before deciding to sign a contract with a company.
The average cost to hire a pool cleaning service ranges from about $80 to $150 for a monthly cleaning service, though the first cleaning often costs more because more work is required to clean the pool and adjust the water chemical composition. With this in mind, the first cleaning averages about $150 to $350. Some companies also offer pool opening ($350 to $500), pool closing ($300 to $650), and repair services ($150 to $800).
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Pool Cleaning Services
Cleaning the pool is a task that the average DIYer can handle. Still, there are several benefits to relying on a professional pool cleaning service instead of tackling this job throughout the entire swimming season. The best reason to go with a pool cleaning service is that these companies have trained experts in pool cleaning because they do it every day. This means that there is less chance to make mistakes, and it takes workers significantly less time to complete the work than if it were left to you.
Hiring a pool cleaning service to get the job done doesn’t just ensure high-quality results; it also means that the appropriate safety precautions will be taken to avoid accidents. Professional pool technicians can spot potential problems and make educated suggestions for repairs or upgrades. They also have access to a supply of pool parts, accessories, and chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right pool supplies at the store.
- Expert pool technicians get the job done quickly and correctly.
- Trained individuals take appropriate precautions before, during, and after cleaning.
- Professionals can spot potential problems before they can cause damage.
FAQs
To learn more about the rates, frequency of cleaning, and other services offered by top-tier pool cleaning companies, you can read through the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below.
Q. How often should I clean my pool?
A pool should be cleaned about once every week, assuming an average use frequency. No one uses the pool the same amount, so base your cleaning and maintenance schedule on the amount of use the pool gets. Also, keep in mind that construction in the area, heavy winds, storms, and nearby trees or bushes can cause a pool to require more frequent cleaning due to the amount of debris that gets carried or dropped into the pool water.
Q. What is the average rate for pool cleaning services?
You can expect to pay about $80 to $150 for a monthly cleaning contract. A yearly contract can range from $960 to $1,800, though these contracts may include additional services depending on the company.
Q. Do I need to clean my pool during the winter?
Depending on where you live, the pool may still be in use for most of the year, so it’s important to base your cleaning and maintenance schedule on the frequency of use and not the time of year. While a drained pool shouldn’t need to be cleaned, it is necessary to inspect the pool and pool equipment to ensure that the winter weather isn’t taking a toll on it.
Q. How often will a pool cleaning service clean my pool?
You can have a pool cleaning service come out every day if you want; it all depends on the contract period and the agreed-upon frequency of cleaning. On the other end of the spectrum, you can also hire a pool cleaning service for a one-time cleaning or just to open and close the pool.
Sources: Forbes