In the swimming pool industry, you sell two things: your labor and your chemicals. When a client doesn’t pay, you aren’t just losing profit; you are physically paying out of pocket to keep their water blue.
Many pool business owners fall into the trap of trying to be their own debt collectors. They send awkward texts, leave polite voicemails, and hope for the best.
Here is the hard truth: If you are scrubbing tiles, you shouldn’t be scrubbing your aging report. Here is why handing accounts over to a professional agency is the smartest move for your bottom line.
Serving Pool Companies NationwideNeed a Collection Agency? Contact Us |
The “Neighborhood Reputation” Trap
Pool service is a hyper-local business. You rely on referrals from neighbors.
-
The Problem: Aggressively chasing a client for $300 can lead to them bad-mouthing you on Nextdoor or local Facebook groups.
-
The Agency Solution: A third-party agency acts as a professional buffer. They play the “bad cop,” allowing you to remain the “good cop” who just wants to provide great service. You can truthfully say, “I’m sorry, our accounting system automatically forwards accounts at 90 days, it’s out of my hands.” This preserves your reputation while still applying pressure.
Service Routes vs. Construction: Where Agencies Shine
1. The Maintenance Route (Unsecured Debt)
For weekly cleaning, chemical stops, and minor repairs ($200 – $1,000), you generally cannot file a Mechanic’s Lien. The legal costs to sue in small claims court often exceed the debt itself.
-
Why DIY fails: A homeowner knows you won’t sue them for $250. They prioritize their mortgage and car payment over you.
-
Why Agencies win: A collection agency can report the debt to the Credit Bureaus. Suddenly, that “ignorable” $250 bill threatens their credit score. This is often the only leverage that works for service debts.
2. The “Missed Window” Construction Debt
For builders and plasterers, the Mechanic’s Lien is powerful, but the window to file is tight (often 60-90 days).
-
The Reality: Many builders wait too long because the client keeps promising “the check is in the mail.” Once that lien deadline passes, you have zero leverage.
-
The Fix: When the lien window closes, a collection agency is your safety net. They have the tools to trace assets and demand payment even after your lien rights are gone.
The Hidden Power: Skip Tracing
A common scenario in the pool industry: The “Sold Home” Vanishing Act. A client runs up a bill getting the pool ready to sell, sells the house, and moves out of state without paying you.
-
You: Send invoices to an empty house.
-
The Agency: Uses “Skip Tracing” technology to locate the debtor’s new address, new phone number, and sometimes even their new place of employment. They find the people who are trying to hide.
The 90-Day “Hand-Off” Rule
When should you stop asking and start assigning? The industry standard is 90 days.
-
Days 1-60: This is your job. Send the invoice, send the reminder, pause service.
-
Day 90: If they haven’t paid after three months, they aren’t “forgetting.” They are ignoring.
-
The Cost of Waiting: Research shows that once a debt is 6 months old, the chance of collecting it drops to 50%. Hand it off while the debt is still “fresh” to maximize your recovery rate.
Focus on Blue Water, Not Red Tape
Your expertise is hydraulics, chemistry, and construction. A collection agency’s expertise is the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act).
-
If you call a debtor at the wrong time or threaten the wrong thing, you can be sued.
-
Agencies are licensed to apply maximum legal pressure without crossing the line.
Stop funding your clients’ swimming pools. Get a Collection Agency Specialized in the Pool Industry