Q's about going into pool business?

[BillyBumbler]

Thank you for the kind advice. That helps a lot considering how nervous I am about all of this. Been in the family business since graduating high school (dairy farm operation) and feel that I am just not happy with it anymore. This is a huge deal for me. Anyway, I have decided not to start this summer, I feel I am not ready, not armed with enough information to make a good name for myself. Cleaning and maintaining a pool seems simple enough after all I've learned here and on my new pool, but the first time someone calls me with a serious problem or a repair, I'll be in trouble. So I am going to find out where the local Ipssa guys meet and see who I can make friends with. I'll get all my ducks lined up (business license, DBA, etc. etc). I was thinking of taking the TECH courses offered by NSPI (good idea?). Go to the conventions you mentioned (Hope to see you there as well) and by early next season, if I'm not ready to make a good go of it I'll never be ready I guess. If anyone can think of any other suggestions for me, I'm all ears!

Thanks again.

Frank

[Poolsean]

"Been in the family business since graduating high school (dairy farm operation) and feel that I am just not happy with it anymore."
***Heck, if you can milk a cow, you can service a pool.

"Anyway, I have decided not to start this summer, I feel I am not ready, not armed with enough information to make a good name for myself. Cleaning and maintaining a pool seems simple enough after all I've learned here and on my new pool, but the first time someone calls me with a serious problem or a repair, I'll be in trouble."
***LOL...I'm sure there are some "closet" pool service people on here that won't admit it, just searching for answers to "serious problems" too.
You should make sure you get the proper licenses for what you want to do. A pool maintenance company, from what I understand, cannot do repairs.

So I am going to find out where the local Ipssa guys meet and see who I can make friends with.
***IPSSA is a good organization, as long as the board of directors for that chapter are not stagnant "good ole' boys". However, they are for the most part highly into education so take advantage of this.

I'll get all my ducks lined up (business license, DBA, etc. etc). I was thinking of taking the TECH courses offered by NSPI (good idea?).
***Yes, education is always a good idea. Take advantage of distributor seminars too. As I mentioned, SCP or Superior distributors, are a good resource. They will most likely have a bulletin board that may announce seminars or classes. This is usualy to the trade only, so letting them know your intentions, or by getting your licenses now, just so you can establish a relationship with them, may be wise.

Go to the conventions you mentioned (Hope to see you there as well) and by early next season, if I'm not ready to make a good go of it I'll never be ready I guess. If anyone can think of any other suggestions for me, I'm all ears!
***I highly recommend the conventions and take advantage of attending as many classes you can. These are fairly well attended, and taught classes. I should know, I'm an instructor for the salt chlorine generator classes offered at almost all the pool biz trade shows. lol...

Feel free to correspond directly with me if you wish...
[email protected]

[BillyBumbler]

Thanks again, and I will keep your email handy, I may call on you for guidance one day if you don't mind, lol. As for the repairs, my understanding is that as long as the bill is less than $500, no contractor's license is needed. Requirements are pretty lax where I live. Honestly, a business license and a net are about it. That's not the route I want to take, however...There was actually an article in the local paper a few weeks ago lamenting a lack of qualified pool service techs for the ever growing number of pools in our town. The good ones apparently have waiting lists.