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How Jim’s Pool Care is tapping into a huge market

Sarah Stowe

Inside Franchise Business: Jim's Pool CareResearch suggests there are more than one million swimming pools in Australia and that equates to huge potential for the pool care services sector.

“Many pools are in full display from both inside the house and outside,” says Jim’s Pool Care Australian divisional franchisor Brett Blair. “Their owners want them to be sparkling all year round and, ideally, ready to swim in whenever they want. That means there is a huge market for pool-cleaning services.”

All Jim’s Pool Care franchise owners start out “on the tools”.

“They provide their customers with all levels of cleaning and onsite electronic water-balancing right through to the latest equipment, sales and repairs,” says Blair. “As a result, they have multiple sources of income – they can charge for their time, the chemicals they provide and the lucrative equipment options every pool owner needs.”

A typical franchise owner will have between 80 and 120 regular clients with a number of one-off or casual customers.

“They target residents and body corporates and, when they’re experienced, they can also include commercial pools,” says Blair. “As they grow they have the option of putting on staff and moving into more of a team-management role.”

The ideal franchise owner is a self-starter with a “can do” attitude.

“Customers like this, and so do we,” says Blair. “Sales, management and trade qualifications are a bonus but not mandatory as we provide all the necessary training. Getting into business is hard work but the rewards are there for people who approach it carefully, follow the systems and put in 100 per cent effort.”

Jim’s Pool Care – mobile pool shops

  • Concept: Mobile pool-cleaning service
  • Launch year: 2003
  • First franchise: 2003
  • Investment: $50,000 to $100,000; plus capital investment of $69,000 (including GST/vehicle/working capital)
  • Terms: 10 years with zero cost to renew
  • Number of units: 94