For years, pool service has had a reputation for being a simple business. Show up, clean the pool, balance the water, and move on to the next stop. And in many ways, that’s still true: the work is hands-on, local, and built on trust.

But in 2026, the data makes one thing obvious: the businesses winning in pool service aren’t winning because they’re grinding harder. They’re winning because they’re operating with more discipline.

That’s the defining story in Skimmer’s 2026 State of Pool Service report, built from survey insights from more than 1,600 pool pros, plus platform data from over 35,000 Skimmer users servicing more than 1,000,000 pools each month.

Demand is still strong. The market is still durable. But the industry is entering a phase where professionalism is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the dividing line between companies that grow with control and companies that grow into chaos.

Here are the biggest takeaways shaping what pool service looks like in 2026—and what the smartest operators are doing about it.

1) The market is stable, durable, and still growing

Pool service continues to benefit from a rare advantage in home services: maintenance isn’t optional. Once a homeowner owns a pool, recurring care becomes necessary, creating a dependable base of ongoing demand.

The report clearly frames the opportunity: there are roughly 10.7 million pools in the U.S., including 10.4 million residential pools, and residential pool owners spend an average of about $1,700 per year on maintenance.

And interest is rising, not fading. Total annual search volume across major pool categories is up 22% from 2022 to 2025 (29.7M to 36.3M), signaling that pool care demand is holding strong well beyond the post-pandemic surge.

What it means: The market isn’t disappearing. The winners will be the operators who build businesses capable of delivering consistent service at scale.

2) The biggest risks are the same ones owners feel every day

If you want a reality check on what’s shaping the industry, the report delivers it: pool pros still see macroeconomic conditions as the biggest swing factor heading into 2026.

Nearly 40% rank economic conditions—such as inflation, interest rates, and consumer spending—as the #1 factor affecting their business.

Costs are also a looming variable. Most operators expect tariffs to raise prices over the next year: 47% anticipate slight cost increases, and 18% expect significant increases.

What it means: 2026 rewards operators who know their numbers and price with intention, rather than reacting late after margins have already eroded.

3) Customer expectations are rising, and digital proof is part of service now

Pool service has always been built on trust, but in 2026, homeowners want trust backed by visibility.

Pool pros believe customers will increasingly expect:

• Digital communication and photo/video reporting 
• Consistent technician assignments 
• Eco-friendly or low-chemical options 

This is a major shift in what defines “great service.” The quality of the water still matters, but it’s no longer the full story. Consistency, transparency, and communication are becoming part of the product.

What it means: Operators who systematize reporting and customer communication will retain customers more easily and build pricing power faster.

4) Optimism is rising in a measured, disciplined way

Pool pros aren’t blindly bullish. They’re confident because they’re building stronger operations.

This year, 64% expect to bring in more revenue than last year, while only 8% expect a decrease.

The report also points to a mindset shift: owners are moving away from growth that depends on piling on more stops, and toward “better revenue per stop.”

What it means: The industry is maturing. Growth in 2026 is about execution quality, not only customer volume.

5) Efficiency is the #1 growth strategy—and some owners are cutting accounts on purpose

When asked how they plan to hit their 2026 goals, operators aren’t betting on a single lever. They’re using a more balanced playbook.

The top strategies for 2026 include:

• 61% will find internal efficiencies and streamline services
• 47% will increase marketing spend
• 42% will expand into other service lines (repairs, renovations, builds, etc.)
• 24% will reduce customer count and increase profitability per pool

That last number is one of the most telling signals in the entire report. A quarter of operators are willing to trim accounts to protect route health and profitability.

What it means: In 2026, smart growth often looks like doing fewer things better—and charging appropriately for it.

6) Pricing is stabilizing, but chemical billing is evolving fast

Pricing in 2026 is becoming more consistent and more structured across the industry. Monthly billing is now the clear standard, with 76% of companies billing monthly and only 19% billing per stop.

But the biggest shift is how operators handle chemicals. In 2026:

• 45% include chemicals in the monthly price
• 30% bill chemicals separately
• 25% use a hybrid model

This reflects a market that’s tired of absorbing chemical volatility inside a flat rate. It’s also a sign that customers are becoming more accustomed to transparent billing.

What it means: “Chems included” is no longer the default strategy for protecting margin. More operators are moving toward clarity and cost control.

7) Software is no longer a differentiator—it’s becoming the baseline

The report makes it clear that modern pool service businesses are building cleaner, more connected operations stacks: fewer disconnected tools, tighter workflows, and systems that support the full job cycle from scheduling to billing.

Among companies planning to purchase software in 2026, 68% plan to buy an all-in-one solution.

AI is entering the conversation too, but in a measured way:

• 16% actively using AI tools
• 31% testing or exploring
• 45% interested but not using yet

And owners have clear guardrails. 40% say they would never trust AI to fully handle invoicing and payments.

What it means: Technology is becoming operational infrastructure. The competitive edge comes from how well systems are implemented—not whether they exist at all.

2026 is the year that organized operators pull away

The State of Pool Service in 2026 isn’t defined by chaos or collapse. It’s defined by a widening gap.

On one side: businesses running on memory, habit, and heroic effort.

On the other: businesses running on systems—clear pricing, consistent service standards, documented work, and modern communication.

The report’s message is simple: demand is steady, but expectations are rising. The operators who win in 2026 will be the ones who treat pool service like the professional operation it has become—disciplined, digital, and built to scale.Download the full 2026 State of Pool Service report from Skimmer now, for more insights, benchmarks and helpful tools to successfully tackle everything 2026 has in store.

SPS PoolCare, the largest swimming pool services company in the United States, has acquired Pool Troopers, solidifying its position as the industry leader in pool maintenance and repair. This strategic combination brings together the nation’s top two pool service providers, expanding SPS PoolCare’s reach to over 42,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers across 19 markets in five states.

This transaction represents a significant milestone for SPS PoolCare, a portfolio company of Storr Group, marking its 191st and largest acquisition to date. SPS PoolCare will keep Pool Troopers’ field teams intact, enabling branches to maintain continuity in day-to-day operations, local decision-making authority, and existing customer contracts and commitments.

“The combination of SPS PoolCare with Pool Troopers creates an industry powerhouse that will set new standards for pool care across America,” said Lance Martin, CEO and COO of SPS PoolCare. “Pool Troopers has earned an outstanding reputation for quality service and customer satisfaction. Their values mirror our mission to make pool ownership a joy by putting customers first and treating employees as our greatest asset.”

Pool Troopers will continue providing pool maintenance, repair, and renovation services to its customers, while benefiting from SPS PoolCare’s technology platform and operational infrastructure. The transaction strengthens the combined company’s ability to deliver exceptional service, while also creating new career-advancement opportunities for field teams. Pool Troopers was previously a Shoreline Equity Partners portfolio company, and Shoreline remains a minority investor in the combined business following the transaction.

“SPS PoolCare has a proven track record of successfully onboarding regional pool companies, and with our complementary geographic footprints, this partnership was a natural fit,” said AD Gonzalez, President and CFO of Pool Troopers. “As the #2 provider in the industry joining forces with #1, we saw a real opportunity to combine the best of both companies to take even better care of our customers and our employees.” 

Fraser Ramseyer, CEO of Storr Group and Founder of SPS PoolCare, added, “For customers and the many valued team members who serve them every week, this acquisition expands service coverage and strengthens the platform behind their work. It reflects our multi-year strategy of building – and investing in – institutional-grade operating infrastructure, from technology and field systems to standardized service delivery and workforce development. With experienced leadership in place, the platform is positioned to sustain consistent execution, while continuing to scale across the country.”

“Pool Troopers has always been defined by its people and its customers, and that will remain true in this next chapter,” said Mike Hand, Managing Partner at Shoreline Equity Partners. “Following many years of getting to know Storr Group and watching them thoughtfully invest in and methodically build a category-leading platform, we trust their stewardship and execution and are excited to partner with them.”

William Blair served as exclusive advisor to SPS PoolCare in the transaction, and SPS PoolCare partnered with Balance Point Capital to provide the debt capital for this transaction.

About SPS PoolCare:
As the #1 swimming-pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,000,000 weekly-recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,000 staff across five states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt, as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. SPS PoolCare is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and being an employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com.

About Storr Group:
Storr Group is an operationally focused lower-middle-market investment firm that backs, builds, and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with strategic M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology – to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. Storr Group has offices in West Palm Beach, New York City, and Austin. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com.

About Shoreline Equity Partners:

Shoreline is a lower-middle-market private equity firm based in Jacksonville, Florida, that focuses on actively partnering with leading management teams. Shoreline strives to acquire businesses primarily within specialized manufacturing, value-added distribution, and business and facility services, among others. For more, please visit shorelineequitypartners.com.

About Balance Point Capital

Balance Point is an alternative investment manager focused on the lower middle market. With approximately $2.3 billion in assets under management, Balance Point invests debt and equity capital in select lower middle market companies across a variety of investment vehicles. Balance Point takes a long-term, partnership approach to investing and is committed to building lasting relationships with its partners, management teams and intermediaries. Balance Point is a registered investment adviser. Further information is available at balancepointcapital.com.

[LONDON, January 7, 2026] — Pentair Pool, a global leader in sustainable pool solutions, is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards. This year’s award theme, “The Backyard Legends,” honors the multi-faceted pool professionals who work to keep pools swim-ready and help pool owners safely and sustainably enjoy water. Winners will be celebrated at a special ceremony at the Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners

The awards recognized seven outstanding individuals for their exceptional expertise and dedication to the pool industry. The winners are:

“It’s inspiring to see the impact these pool professionals have had on their communities,” said Greg Claffey, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Pentair Pool. “And hearing their stories of success and growth has been downright humbling. It’s an honor to recognize them with these awards in tandem with our sponsors – AQUA Magazine, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and GENESIS®.”

Attendees to the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show can visit the Pentair Pool Booth (2219) on Wed., Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. EST for a public celebration of these winners.

For more information on the winners and to see highlights of the upcoming awards celebration in Atlantic City, please visit www.pentair.com/pool-pro-awards or www.facebook.com/pentairpool.

About Pentair Pool

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.    

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa.