Industry News
What a $2 Trillion Market Crash Means for the Pool & Spa Industry

On what many are already calling a historic market nosedive, the stock market just hit an all-time low not seen since 2020, wiping out nearly $2 trillion in value in a single day. For many sectors, this event signals uncertainty, tighter budgets, and reevaluated priorities — and the pool and spa industry is no exception.
So what does this mean for pool builders, hot tub dealers, service techs, and suppliers? Let’s break it down.
🧊 Consumer Confidence May Take a Cold Plunge
When trillions vanish from the market in a day, the psychological impact is swift and powerful. Even homeowners with secure jobs and stable finances may begin rethinking large discretionary purchases, especially those tied to luxury and lifestyle — like pools, spas, and backyard renovations. The sentiment amongst economists correlates with what one insider told Pool Magazine at an industry event just last month.
“We’ve had a few clients hit pause on their projects, just to see how this plays out. It’s a gut reaction to economic fear,” said one of the nation’s largest pool builders who requested to remain anonymous for this article.
What We See Happening Today
While builders are concerned that rising prices may be causing consumer confidence to falter, the sentiment is doubly troubling for those supplying their materials. What we see happening in the market today are tariff rumors spurring concern amongst manufacturers and suppliers.
Many have already begun sending notices that they may begin raising prices to offset increases. With numerous suppliers already following suit, it’s logical to presume that recent declines in market confidence have been largely attributed to investor concerns over the economic impact of newly imposed tariffs. This could be what is sparking fears of slowed growth and rising inflation. If the trend persists, industry analysts warn it could have a ripple effect across the outdoor living and pool sectors.
The Most Recent One-Day Declines Are Raising Eyebrows (April 3, 2025):
- S&P 500: Fell 4.8% (274.45 points) to close at 5,396.52.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Dropped 1,679.39 points (4%) to close at 40,545.93.
- Nasdaq Composite: Declined 6% (1,050.44 points) to close at 16,550.61.
Continuing the trend we saw throughout 2024, right now we expect to see slower sales in new pool construction during Q1 and Q2, as homeowners grow more cautious with big-ticket purchases. Hot tub and swim spa sales have also declined as buyers began taking a more measured approach. The trend resulted in delaying purchases or opting for lower-priced models. Additionally, following the trend from 2023 through 2024, luxury enhancements in outdoor living spaces—such as custom lighting, premium decking, and high-end features—could see reduced demand as consumers tighten their belts.
In our latest Industry Check-In, we polled members of the “Pool & Spa Industry Professionals” LinkedIn group to find out what they believe is the biggest challenge facing the industry right now. The overwhelming response centered around inflation—particularly the rising costs of labor and materials. Many pool pros shared concerns about how these increases are squeezing margins and making it more difficult to price projects competitively. While some mentioned tariffs and softening demand, it was clear that inflation remains the top issue on everyone’s mind as companies navigate a more expensive and unpredictable 2025.

💰 Financing Becomes a Hurdle
For pool builders who’ve been leaning on financing options to help customers afford projects, now is the time to watch that channel closely. Market deviations can prompt lenders to:
- Tighten credit standards
- Raise interest rates
- Reduce available credit limits
This could result in fewer approvals and less attractive loan terms — a double hit for homeowners considering a new pool or hot tub who may now find financing terms fluctuating.
🏡 Luxury May Lag… or Lead
It might seem counterintuitive, but historically, the high-end market often remains resilient during downturns. In 2020, even at the peak of COVID-related economic fear, pool and outdoor living projects soared — in part because homeowners stayed home more and looked to invest in their surroundings. Despite ongoing inflationary pressures and tariff concerns, demand for outdoor living projects is expected to remain well above pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent report from The Freedonia Group.
🔧 The Service Sector Stays Strong
While new construction may cool off, one segment is always in demand: pool maintenance and repair. Whether the economy is booming or busting, pool owners still need:
- Weekly cleaning and chemical balancing
- Filter changes, pump repairs, and heater diagnostics
- Pool openings, closings, and seasonal tune-ups
For many companies, the service department could become the reliable foundation that helps them weather any extended downturn.
“Anytime there is a monumental drop, we all need to take note and make prudent choices going forward in the new reality. We have historically survived downturns like this fairly well. When the housing bubble burst, the service industry weathered that better than the construction segment of the industry,” said Jerry Wallace, President of Swim Chem, Inc., “We will persevere through this as we have other downturns in the past.”
📉 Builder & Supplier Outlook
Builders who rely heavily on new projects may need to pivot, fast. If contracts stall and leads slow down, having cash reserves and flexible operating models will be key. At the same time, suppliers may tighten terms, requiring faster payment or changing order minimums.
We may see:
- Delayed start dates on already-sold projects
- Longer sales cycles
- Cash flow challenges for smaller builders
- Pressure on pricing from discount competitors
📦 Smart Shoppers Look for Smaller, Simpler Options
While the premium market may remain steady, many middle-market buyers will look for more affordable ways to upgrade their backyards:
- Plug-and-play spas
- Pre-cast, container, or modular pools
- DIY-friendly above-ground setups
Retailers who stock these options may see an uptick in foot traffic from customers who still want a slice of the good life — just with a lower price tag and less risk.
🔮 Industry Insiders Remain Cautiously Optimistic About a Better Second Half to 2025
Some industry insiders are expressing cautious optimism, viewing the recent market crash as a temporary setback rather than a long-term downturn for the pool and spa industry. Jared Schwab, President of Alpha Group, remains hopeful about what’s ahead.
“I believe we will see an interest rate decline and a renewing of Trump tax cuts leading to a blissful second half,” Jared Schwab, President of manufacturer representative firm, The Alpha Group said. “Advice: stay the course — this too shall pass.”
His sentiment echoes a broader belief among industry veterans that while uncertainty may define the moment, resilience and long-term demand will prevail. For many, it’s not the time to panic — but to prepare.
✅ How to Respond Right Now
While it’s too early to tell how long this volatility will last, the time to act is now. Here’s what pool and spa professionals should do today:
✔️ Double Down on Digital
Stay visible. Keep posting on social, stay active on Google, and keep SEO up to date. When customers are ready, you want to be easy to find.
✔️ Sell Stability
Remind homeowners that pools and spas aren’t just luxuries — they’re investments in family, wellness, and home value. That message will land well in times of uncertainty.
✔️ Promote Service Plans
Your recurring revenue could be your lifeline. Offer seasonal packages, loyalty discounts, or pre-paid maintenance plans.
✔️ Reassess Financing
Talk with your financing partners. Explore new options or incentives that can help close the deal.
✔️ Diversify Your Offering
Think beyond the pool. Lighting, landscaping, outdoor audio, patio covers, fire features — these are all lower-cost ways clients can upgrade without committing to a major project.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Every downturn eventually ends — and often, the companies that thrive in the recovery are the ones who adapted early. A $2 trillion market crash is a wake-up call, but it’s also an opportunity to sharpen your strategy, focus on what’s essential, and be the steady hand clients trust in uncertain times.
If you’re in the pool and spa industry, the message is clear: stay visible, stay flexible, and stay ready. Your next opportunity might come sooner than you think.
Industry News
Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.
Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.
Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.
Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit
The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.
Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.
The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.
Taking the Conversation to France
The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.
On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.
Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.
Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.
Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027
The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.
Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.
Industry News
Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics
The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.
The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.
As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.
“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”
Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.
“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”
“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”
Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.
About Skimmer
Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.
About Poologics
Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.
About Pool Builder Geek
Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.
Media contact
Travis Wingate
Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161
Industry News
Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.
“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”
As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.
“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.
Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.
With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.
Jason can be reached at [email protected].
About Landmark Aquatic:
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.
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