Which Pool-Service Customers Actually Need a Price Increase?

A blanket price increase is simple, but it assumes every account has the same economics. Routes built over time rarely work that way. Some stops are dense and fast; others absorb more drive time, chemicals or labor.

The useful question is not “What percentage should I raise?”

A better first question is: What monthly price would this account need to reach my chosen margin? Once you know that number, the gap between the current fee and target price gives you a concrete starting point.

For example, if an account costs 120 per month to service and the selected target margin is 30%, the target price from this model is about 171.43. If the customer currently pays 150, the mathematical gap is about 21.43.

Why the same increase can be wrong for different customers

Two customers can pay the same monthly fee and produce very different results. A nearby easy pool may be comfortably above target while a remote, slow or chemical-heavy pool is below it. Applying the same percentage increase to both preserves that difference.

Use the price gap as a diagnostic, not an automatic invoice

The calculated target price depends entirely on the assumptions you enter. Before acting, verify service minutes, drive time, supplies and overhead allocation. Then consider customer relationship, scope, market conditions and any contractual or legal requirements that apply to your business.

Prioritize the route instead of raising everyone blindly

A useful audit sequence is: identify loss-making accounts first, then positive-profit accounts below target, then inspect the largest price gaps. That concentrates attention where the economic mismatch appears strongest.