If a truck and equipment are in the deal, they need a real inspection, separate from the financial diligence.
Vehicle inspection checklist:
- Independent mechanic check at a shop you choose, not the seller's. Cost: $150–$250. Worth it.
- Title search, confirm the seller actually owns it and there are no liens.
- VIN check for accident history (Carfax / AutoCheck).
- Mileage and service records. A service truck with 180k+ miles and no records is a 12-month problem.
- Commercial-use insurance eligibility. Some vehicles or older trucks aren't eligible for commercial policies in your state, check before you commit.
- Trailer, if included, title, brake function, tire condition, lights.
- Cargo equipment, racks, reels, water tank, pump-out system. Photograph and document.
Tools and route equipment:
- Inventory and photograph all chemicals, poles, brushes, leaf rakes, vacuums, hoses, test kits, salt cells, and parts.
- Note any company-branded apparel or signage (worth something only if you're keeping the brand).
- Verify any included software subscriptions (Skimmer, Pool Office, Jobber, etc.) actually transfer cleanly. Some require a new account in your name; some let the seller transfer ownership; some require contacting the vendor for a buy-out fee.
- Confirm the business phone number transfers, if the route's business line goes through the seller's personal cell, plan for a phone-system migration in week one.
- Confirm the website, domain, social handles, and Google Business Profile transfer with documented credentials.
Chemicals and inventory:
- Hazardous materials require careful handling, confirm the seller is transferring them legally and that you can transport them under your insurance.
- Note expiration dates. Stabilizer doesn't expire, but liquid chlorine, algaecides, and some specialty products do.
The "equipment is rarely worth what sellers think" rule. Sellers value equipment at what they paid; buyers should value it at what they'd pay for the equivalent in working condition on the used market. A 7-year-old truck with 160k miles that the seller bought new for $40k may be worth $9k–$13k today. Discount accordingly.
Document with photos. Every piece of equipment included in the deal should be photographed at the walk-through and listed in an inventory schedule attached to the purchase agreement. This prevents disputes later when "the spare pump head" turns out to be missing.