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What's the route really worth?
Industry-standard pool routes typically trade between 6x and 12x monthly recurring revenue, with the multiple flexing based on route quality, churn, density, documentation, and risk. This calculator models the full picture, valuation, total investment, every operating cost, projected cash flow, and payback.
Revenue & route quality
Monthly recurring revenue
$15,000
Monthly one-time / repair revenue
$2,000
Number of accounts
100
Avg ticket
$150/mo
% of accounts on recurring service
92%
% of revenue on auto-pay (CC/ACH)
80%
Annual gross churn rate
6%
Largest account % of revenue
8%
Account tenure profile
Geographic density
Number of zip codes covered
5
Documentation & systems
Owner involvement in operations
Realistic equipment + vehicle value
$12,000
Deal structure & closing
Closing costs (attorney, escrow, broker)
2.5%
Working capital reserve (months)
2 mo
Chemicals & pool supplies
Chemical cost per account / month
$28
Typical residential range: $20–$40/account/month depending on pool size, salt vs chlorine, and regional water chemistry.
Fuel & vehicle
Miles driven per week
450 mi
Vehicle MPG
15 mpg
Fuel price per gallon
$3.65
Vehicle payment / lease ($/mo)
$0
Vehicle maintenance ($/mo avg)
$120
Commercial auto insurance ($/mo)
$180
Insurance & licensing
General liability insurance ($/mo)
$85
Workers comp ($/mo, if employees)
$0
Licenses, bonds & professional fees ($/mo)
$40
Software & subscriptions
Route / CRM software ($/mo)
$60
Business phone & internet ($/mo)
$80
Accounting / bookkeeping ($/mo)
$35
Equipment, parts & repairs
Brushes, poles, vacs (replacement $/mo)
$110
Parts inventory carried ($/mo)
$80
Labor
Marketing & overhead
Marketing & advertising ($/mo)
$150
Bank & merchant fees baseline ($/mo)
$25
Misc (uniforms, hand tools, supply runs)
$120
Card processing fees on auto-pay revenue (~2.9%) are calculated automatically.
Tax assumption
Effective combined tax rate (SE + fed + state)
22%
Rough planning estimate only, actual taxes depend on your entity, deductions, and state. Talk to a CPA.
Estimated route value
$160,500
Range: $148,620, $172,380
Multiple: 9.9x MRRIndustry typical: 6–12x
Recurring value: $148,500 + Equipment: $12,000
Total cash needed to close
Purchase price$160,500
Closing costs (2.5%)$4,013
Working capital (2 mo)$3,000
Total investment$167,513
Annual profit & loss
Gross revenue (recurring + one-time)$204,000
Chemicals & supplies-$33,600
Fuel-$5,694
Vehicle (payment, maint, ins.)-$3,600
Insurance & licensing-$1,500
Software & subscriptions-$2,100
Equipment & parts-$2,280
Marketing, fees & overhead-$8,273
Total operating costs-$57,047
Gross profit (pre-tax)$146,953
Estimated taxes (22%)-$32,330
Net cash to owner$114,623
Investment returns
Gross margin
72%
Net margin
56%
Cash-on-cash return
68%
Payback period
1.5 yr
How we calculate
We start at a 9x base (midpoint of the typical 6–12x industry range), then adjust for recurring %, auto-pay, churn, tenure, density, documentation, owner involvement, concentration, transition support, and contracts. Operating costs roll up into an annual P&L with cash-on-cash and payback. Education only, not legal, tax, or appraisal advice. For a defensible valuation on a real deal, hire a licensed business appraiser or CPA.
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