---
title: "Pool Route Value & Cost Calculator, Free"
url: https://poolroutemarketplace.com/calculator
description: "Comprehensive pool route valuation. Models multiple, full operating costs, cash flow, and payback. Free, instant, no signup."
lang: en
---

Free comprehensive tool

# 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 MRR Industry 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.

Learn the full method (https://poolroutemarketplace.com/learn/valuation-mastery)

## Structured data

```json
[
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Pool Route Marketplace",
    "url": "https://poolroutemarketplace.com",
    "logo": "https://poolroutemarketplace.com/favicon.png"
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "WebSite",
    "name": "Pool Route Marketplace",
    "url": "https://poolroutemarketplace.com",
    "potentialAction": {
      "@type": "SearchAction",
      "target": "https://poolroutemarketplace.com/browse?q={search_term_string}",
      "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
    }
  }
]
```