Pool repair: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering pool repair

Pool repair is diagnostic work, and the customer mostly pays for a correct finding. Win the job by proving where the water is going before you quote the fix.

What customers ask

  • Where is my pool leaking, and how sure are you?
  • Do I need to drain the pool for this repair?
  • Can you fix it without digging up the deck?
  • How long will the repair last?
  • Will the patch match my pool surface?
  • What happens if you find more problems while you work?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the surface type, the water loss rate, the equipment age and any recent work, so you bring the right tools and parts.
  • Run a bucket test and a dye test on site, and show the customer the results before you quote the repair.
  • Write each repair as its own line in the quote, with the part, the surface and the area it covers.
  • Photograph the crack, fitting or wet spot before and after the repair, so the customer can see the work.
  • Put a clear note on what you did not fix, such as an old buried line, so there is no surprise later.
  • Quote a return visit for the cure and check, and list the date in the quote.

What to put on your profile

  • Post before and after photos of leak repairs, showing the crack, fitting or tile and the finished repair
  • List the surfaces you repair, such as plaster, pebble, tile, fiberglass and vinyl liner
  • State the leak detection methods you use, such as dye testing, pressure testing and listening devices
  • Name the equipment and fitting brands you can get parts for quickly

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Suggest a pump and heater check after a leak repair, since equipment can cause the same water loss
  • Offer a coping and tile inspection when the waterline has stains or loose tile
  • Recommend a plumbing pressure check on lines that will be dug up again soon
  • Offer a seasonal check after a repair, so the owner can see the fix holding through the season

Licenses and permits

Pool repair that involves plumbing, excavation, structural work or electrical bonding may require a contractor license or a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency, and confirm which permits your local office requires before you start.

Questions

Should I charge for the diagnosis if the leak is not found?

Put a diagnostic line in the quote that says what it covers, and agree on it with the customer before you start. Owners accept a diagnostic charge more easily when they can see the tests you ran.

Do I need to tell the owner about the age of the shell?

Yes. If the shell or plumbing is old, say so in writing with photos, and separate the repair from future work the owner may need to plan for.

What do I do if the leak is in a buried line?

Explain the location, the dig depth, the restoration needed and the risks of digging. Quote it as its own job so the customer can compare the repair with other options.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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