Florida has always been one of the strongest performing markets in the pool industry. When Florida grows, the rest of the pool world feels it. When Florida slows, that slowdown echoes across every major pool market in the country. With permit data now available through September, we finally have a complete view of how the state is performing year-to-date — and what the numbers reflect is a market still cooling, but in a steady and predictable way.

When measuring true year-to-date performance from January through September, Florida recorded 21,268 permits for 2025 compared to 21,908 during the same period in 2024. That’s a decline of 640 permits, or –2.92% YOY.

This marks the third consecutive year of softening permit activity since the highs of the pandemic boom. But the pace of the decline, and the underlying factors behind it, tell a far more balanced story than simply calling it a slump.

📊 Florida Pool Permit Data Overview (Jan 2024 – Sep 2025)

Month-by-month YOY totals sourced directly from Florida Pool Pro Magazine & HB Weekly.

📈 Top 10 Counties with the Biggest YOY Increases

📉 Top 10 Counties with the Sharpest YOY Declines

A Market Cooling, But Much Less Than Expected

The COVID surge pushed the industry to extraordinary highs. Builders saw unprecedented demand and permit numbers that were never meant to be the new normal. With rising rates and higher construction costs, some cooling was predictable as the market settled into a more sustainable rhythm.

Many analysts predicted sharp declines in the 10% range for 2025.

Instead, Florida is hovering just under a 3% decline year-to-date, and several months posted meaningful year-over-year growth:

February 2025: +16.97%
March 2025: +16.76%
May 2025: +11.89%
July 2025: +16.24%
September 2025: +1.58%

These gains counterbalance weaker months, showing a market that has stayed resilient despite challenging economic conditions.

The only true outliers pulling the year down are the months of April and August.

A Weak Spring and a Soft End to Summer

If there were two stretches that really weighed on Florida’s 2025 permit numbers, it was a weak spring and a soft end to summer.

April 2024: 2,850 permits
April 2025: 2,218 permits
Difference: –632 permits
Drop: –22.2%

August 2024: 2,898 permits
August 2025: 2,269 permits
Difference: –629 permits
Drop: –21.7%

Industry veterans know that a couple of bad months don’t define a year. But the fact is, a dip during those two traditionally big pool months dragged down the curve for the reporting period. A weak spring and a soft end to summer were enough to tip the scales, keeping 2025 in negative territory despite steady performance across most other months.

Why Florida’s Market Remains Fundamentally Strong

Despite the mild 2.92% YTD dip, on-the-ground activity tells a different story. Builders, service companies, and renovation specialists across the state are staying busy.

Here’s why:

Renovation Work Is Robust

Even if homeowners aren’t building new pools, they’re investing in:

1. Pool resurfacing
2. Pool equipment upgrades
3. New tile and coping
4. Pool automation
5. Pool remodeling

The renovation market continues to prop up revenue and stabilize contractor schedules even as new pool construction projects continue to cool in 2025.

High-End Construction Hasn’t Slowed

Florida’s high-end residential pool market — especially in counties like Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Lee, Sarasota and Collier — continues to show resilient demand. Miami-Dade posted a roughly +22% increase in permits year-over-year, Lee moved about +13%, Sarasota climbed about +11%.

Population Growth Continues

Florida remains one of the top inbound migration states. More residents = more long-term pool demand. That pipeline remains extremely healthy.

Swimming Pools Still in High Demand

A slowdown could be driven by hesitation, but it is certainly not a lack of desire. Swimming pools still rank high on homeowners’ wish lists; roughly 15% of the homes in the state of Florida have a pool.

Final Thoughts

Economic Headwinds Are Real — But Not Overwhelming

The factors shaping today’s environment are challenging but aren’t going away quickly:

1. Interest rates remain elevated
2. Construction costs remain high
3. Insurance premiums are a major pressure point
4. Homeowners are more cautious

Florida’s pool industry enters 2026 on steadier footing than many expected. Even with the current market conditions, permits are down less than 3% for the year — a far better outcome than the double-digit drop analysts were bracing for.

Looking ahead, 2026 has room for quiet but meaningful growth. Even a modest improvement in rates could unlock a wave of buyers who have been waiting for the right moment, and continued in-migration keeps Florida’s long-term demand solid. Homeowners are still building, still upgrading, and still prioritizing their outdoor spaces — just with more intention than in the frenzy years.

DALLAS, TX. – The largest global franchise pool service brand, Poolwerx, continues its ambitious growth plans with the announcement of Nic Brill as Global CEO, effective Oct 2, 2025. 

This newly created role marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s evolution, as Poolwerx unites its Australian, New Zealand and U.S. markets under one global vision, one business, and one strategy to position the brand for the next phase of international growth.  

Brill, who first joined Poolwerx in 2019 as Chief Operating Officer, before becoming ANZ CEO in 2022, has guided the company through record sales, profitability and market share growth. His appointment as ANZ CEO followed the global Norwest partnership announcement, which strengthened Poolwerx’ capacity to accelerate expansion across its three core markets.

Under his stewardship, Poolwerx has consistently delivered above-market results and demonstrated resilience, with growth every year since inception—through multiple recessions and even during the global pandemic.

“The appointment of a Global CEO is a strategic move to align the business as one unified network, operating with a clear global structure and consistent growth strategy,” said Poolwerx Chair, Sue Collyns. “The Board made a conscious decision to select a proven and dynamic leader who not only understands our Poolwerx business, franchisees and partners but also has the vision and agility to lead a global organisation. We couldn’t be more excited and Nic’s track record of leveraging innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence within the franchise industry, positions Poolwerx to create even greater value for our franchise partners, clients, stakeholders alike.”

With this transition, the organization reaffirms its commitment to its number one corporate KPI – franchisee profitability – along with a continued focus on innovation, partner success, and long-term growth.

“I’m honoured to lead Poolwerx into this next chapter of growth and this appointment signals the beginning of a unified global strategy for our brand.  Operating as one business, with one vision and one strategy, will enable us to compete at scale and grow our brand into new territories,” Brill said. “What excites me most is the opportunity to build on our 30-plus year legacy and create a consistent global platform for growth—one that empowers our franchise partners to achieve their own business goals, while helping families everywhere enjoy their pools and create lifelong memories.”

For more information and franchise opportunities, please visit https://poolwerxfranchising.com.

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About Poolwerx

Today, Poolwerx is the world’s largest franchise network in pool and spa maintenance, providing expert services in water testing, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, equipment installation, and water balancing for both residential and commercial clients. Headquartered in Brisbane since 1992 Poolwerx has grown globally to a network of over 185 retail stores, with+700 service vehicles, and operates across more than 350 territories. For more information about Poolwerx and its franchise opportunity, please visithttps://poolwerxfranchising.com.

At precisely 9:30 a.m. this morning, the sound of the Nasdaq opening bell echoed through Times Square as Pool Corporation (Nasdaq: POOL) marked 30 years as a publicly traded company. CEO Peter Arvan and members of the leadership team stood shoulder to shoulder on the balcony of the Nasdaq MarketSite — the same stage they last occupied five years ago for POOLCORP’s 25th anniversary.

It was a fitting backdrop for a company that started as a small regional distributor in Louisiana and grew into a global powerhouse with 450 sales centers, 6,000 employees, and $5 billion in annual revenue. From its humble IPO debut in 1995 at $0.92 per share (split-adjusted) to a market cap nearing $11 billion today, POOLCORP’s journey reads like a case study in disciplined expansion.

For long-time industry observers, the milestone was more than symbolic — it was a reminder of how profoundly POOLCORP has reshaped the pool and outdoor-living economy.

From SCP to S&P: A Thirty-Year Ascent

The Early Days

The story begins in the 1980s, when South Central Pool Supply — the company that would become POOLCORP — was distributing chlorine, filters, and fittings from a handful of warehouses across the South. When it went public on October 12, 1995 under the name SCP Pool Corporation, annual sales stood at $161 million.

The IPO gave the company breathing room to expand, pay down debt, and begin a string of acquisitions that would transform it from a patchwork of regional distributors into a single, cohesive network. Within a decade, SCP Pool Corporation rebranded simply as Pool Corporation, reflecting its broader reach and ambition.

Quiet Consolidation, Steady Expansion

What followed wasn’t a meteoric rise — it was something rarer: slow, predictable, dependable growth. POOLCORP spent the late 1990s and early 2000s expanding market by market, warehouse by warehouse, earning a reputation for operational consistency and logistical precision.

The company’s playbook was simple: integrate small local distributors, modernize their systems, and deliver a uniform level of service to pool builders, retailers, and service professionals nationwide. Over time, that discipline made POOLCORP the backbone of the pool-supply chain — the unseen infrastructure keeping backyard construction projects on schedule and stores stocked all summer.

A Broader Vision

As the American backyard evolved, so did POOLCORP. Recognizing that homeowners were investing in complete outdoor spaces — not just pools — the company diversified its catalog to include lighting, pavers, outdoor kitchens, and irrigation.

That expansion into outdoor living positioned POOLCORP to thrive even during housing slumps and off-seasons. And when the pandemic unleashed a surge in home improvement spending, POOLCORP’s distribution network became essential. By 2020, it joined the S&P 500 Index, a rare achievement for a company once considered niche.

The Industry’s Steady Hand

More Than Numbers

Behind the data — a $10,000 investment in the initial IPO would be worth in the range of $4.23 million today — is a company that’s built its success on relationships. Pool builders and service pros often describe POOLCORP less as a supplier and more as a partner that keeps their operations running smoothly.

That reliability has made POOLCORP one of the few constants in a cyclical industry. Its digital platform, POOL360, now serves as the go-to tool for tens of thousands of professionals managing orders, stock, and logistics in real time.

Thirty Years Later

“I am incredibly proud to celebrate Pool Corporation’s 30th anniversary by having my leadership team join me to ring Nasdaq’s opening bell,” stated Peter D. Arvan, president and CEO. “Pool Corporation’s growth and success over the past 30 years has been built by our people. Our outstanding field leadership and support teams work together to form the most talented team in the pool and outdoor living industry, centered around providing the best customer experience. Their tireless dedication has driven, and continues to drive, our success.”

POOLCORP’s rise from a handful of regional warehouses to a global enterprise mirrors the evolution of the modern pool industry itself. What was once a seasonal business has become an integrated, technology-driven sector — and POOLCORP has quietly led the way.

The Nasdaq bell may have rung for only a few seconds, but the sound carried three decades of growth, grit, and determination. For a company built on movement — trucks, warehouses, and water — standing still to mark the occasion felt well deserved.

Read More About POOLCORP: Why is Buffett Bullish on POOLCORP?