Are you opening the door to costly mistakes by logging job details, expenses, and invoices into separate systems—or worse, onto spreadsheets? Have your technicians forgotten to note extra materials used, resulting in awkward corrections and delayed payments? Do you face delays in invoicing due to missing essential parts or chemicals? 

Come tax season, are you sifting through piles of receipts and disparate records that completely take your focus away from your business? 

If this sounds all too familiar, you are already falling behind the competition. Mistakes are bound to happen with disconnected tools. Find out how integrating accounting software into your pool service solution is the key to success. 

Why integrate accounting with your pool service software?  

The answer is simple—you want an easier workflow and a customer experience that stands out. Integration empowers you to manage your financials and field operations simultaneously, creating a cohesive workflow that boosts productivity and reduces the risk of errors. This unified view helps you identify your most profitable services, control expenses, and adjust your business strategies based on real-time data. 

The benefits of linking pool service software with accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage Intacct include: 

• Automated invoicing and payments: Generate invoices directly from completed jobs, including details like hours worked, materials used, and charges incurred. This seamless syncing to your accounting system ensures accuracy and saves time. 
• Faster payment cycles: Expedite payments with pre-filled templates, automated alerts, and streamlined recurring billing. This improves your cash flow and reduces the time spent on administrative tasks. 
• Real-time financial tracking: Sync your field service data with your accounting software to monitor profitability, customer payments, and expenses—all in one place. This unified view helps you make informed decisions quickly. 
• Integrated inventory management: Automatically update inventory levels, allocate parts for jobs, and set re-order triggers to minimize stockouts. This ensures your technicians always have what they need, preventing service delays. 
• Bi-directional data flow: Sync customer information, invoices, and payments across platforms to eliminate double data entry and reduce errors. This connectivity ensures that both your field data and accounting data are always up to date. 
• Comprehensive financial reporting: Combine your field service and financial data to generate accurate, up-to-date reports on profit margins, revenue streams, and overall performance. This comprehensive insight supports strategic planning and growth. 

Simplify accounting with pool service software and QuickBooks  

Integrating your pool service software with an easy-to-use accounting solution like QuickBooks offers significant advantages. It’s not just about finding the right accounting tool—it’s about ensuring it works seamlessly with your pool service software. 

With Zuper, you don’t have to compromise. Whether it is CRM, accounting, expense management, digital payments, or communication platforms, we connect with the technology that fits your business needs. We are already connected to 60+ tools you love — QuickBooks, HubSpot, Zoho, Clyr, Stripe, and more. 

Here are the benefits that highlight the perfect synergy of integrating pool service management solutions like Zuper with QuickBooks for your business. 

1. Automate your accounting process 

Automate your accounting process with pool service software and save precious time by eliminating the need for manual data reconciliation. With seamless integration with QuickBooks, all your transactions are recorded accurately through bi-directional data flow. Automatically sync your customers, products, services, estimates, invoices, and payments, ensuring everything is up-to-date and streamlined. This means less hassle, fewer errors, and more time for you to focus on growing your business with confidence. 

2. Streamline your invoicing and payments 

Take the hassle out of invoicing and payments with pool service software. Sync payments directly from QuickBooks, ensuring your financials are always accurate and up to date. With automated invoices, on-site payment collection becomes a breeze, so you can say goodbye to manual follow-ups. Plus, with easy tracking of expenses and payments, you’ll always have full visibility into your cash flow, empowering you to make smarter decisions and keep your business running smoothly. 

3. Facilitate faster and more accurate billing 

Pool service software eliminates the frustrations of manual invoicing and ensures every detail—down to the exact hours worked—is accurately captured. Send invoices swiftly, maintain clear communication without switching platforms, and rely on automated alerts to accelerate payment cycles. Repetitive tasks become effortless with pre-filled invoice templates and scheduled workflows for recurring jobs. It’s not just about saving time; it’s about redefining billing with precision and efficiency. 

4. Track your inventory availability in real-time  

Take control of your inventory, where every part is accounted for, and stockouts are a thing of the past. Pool service software lets you sync inventory levels across systems to ensure your field technicians always have the right parts available for on-time service delivery. Real-time updates keep you informed, so allocating parts for jobs becomes effortless and precise. Need to restock? Set automatic re-order triggers, generate purchase orders, and get approvals with just a few clicks. Pool service software simplifies inventory management by keeping QuickBooks updated in real-time, helping you stay organized and deliver on time. 

 Want to stand out in the pool business? 

Issues like delayed billing, data entry errors, and inventory shortages aren’t just minor issues—they directly affect your customer experience. In an industry where timely service and accurate billing can set you apart, gaining a competitive advantage is crucial for your growth and profitability.
 

Zuper’s adaptable and intelligent pool service solution helps forward-thinking businesses turn technology into a competitive advantage. Our customers love us because we seamlessly integrate with the tools of their choice.  

Learn more about how we position your business at the forefront of the industry. 

The pool, spa, and hot tub industry has returned to pre-pandemic norms, albeit in a more volatile economy, during a presidential year. As the road sign cautions drivers “Bumpy Road Ahead,” does that same road sign also apply to day-to-day business operations? The recently published Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) 2024 Business Operations Survey Report shares some key findings collected from nearly 500 survey participants earlier this year.

Overall Sales Growth

The industry overall saw a sales growth of 7% in 2023, with service, maintenance, and repair companies seeing the most growth at 12%. Conversely, the retail sector experienced an 8% decrease. Retail companies appear to be the hardest hit by the return to pre-pandemic sales numbers as more people are back to traveling for their vacations now. All sectors—retail, service, and build—are optimistic about sales growth in 2024, projecting a 9% increase for the industry by the end of the year.

New Pool Construction

Gunite was by far the most popular pool material in 2023, making up nearly 60% of new pool construction. The second most popular was vinyl with a steel wall, which made up 15% of new construction, followed closely by fiberglass at 13%. There was also a slight increase in the number of aboveground pools sold from 2022 to 2023.

The average number of new pools sold decreased considerably for build, design, and remodel companies, dropping from an average of 145 in 2022 to 78 in 2023. This is partially due to the fact that there was such a large project backlog from 2020 and 2021 that carried new work into 2022, but that backlog has started to clear out. Nearly half of all large builders ($2 million or more in sales) reported a decrease in project backlog in 2023.

The revenue per new pool sold also decreased, from an average of $117,016 to $110,204. Part of the change in revenue can be explained by a correction to the supply chain. During the pandemic, supply chain issues caused prices to rise, which pool builders often passed on to their customers. Now that supply-and-demand has returned to more normal levels, prices have decreased and pool builders have been able to lower their rates again, which is good news for consumers.

Hot Tub Sales

Hot tubs continue to be popular with consumers, with the average number of units sold by retailers increasing from 380 in 2022 to 444 in 2023. The average revenue per unit also increased slightly, from $9,678 to $11,627. Retailers were able to deliver hot tubs to the buyers in a more timely manner in 2023 compared to the previous year, with over 92% of units sold in 2023 delivered during the year purchased. As with builders, more than half of retailers saw a decrease in backlog in 2023 compared to 2022.

Service Calls

Service, maintenance, and repair companies performed an average of 1,100 calls in 2023, which is nearly double the number from 2022. With so many new pools built between 2020 and 2022, it only makes sense that all of those pools would need regular service and maintenance. Service, maintenance, and repair companies had an average revenue per service call of $702, a slight decrease from $746 in 2022.

The service sector enjoyed increased customer loyalty in 2023, with a maintenance agreement retention rate of 93.9% compared to just 89% in 2022.

Conclusion

Although many of us in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry dreamed of the pandemic boom lasting forever, we have all come back down to Earth and a new reality. This means different things for different sectors—the backlog for builders is returning to a manageable level, which puts less stress on the employees, while all of the new pool owners from the past three years are eagerly looking for service and maintenance professionals to help them keep their pool an enjoyable space to be. Although retailers struggled a bit in 2023, they are staying positive and expect to bounce back.

Interested in additional industry trends? PHTA produces a wide range of quarterly, annual, and biannual reports to help business owners and industry stakeholders keep track of current trends and where they are headed. Learn more at phta.org/research. To become a member of PHTA and receive discounted pricing on all reports, visit phta.org/join.

In the United States, May is recognized as National Water Safety Month (NWSM), a timely moment to educate swimmers on the importance of water safety as the peak swim season approaches. A joint effort by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) with support from the American Red Cross, National Drowning Prevention Alliance, National Recreation and Park Association, and World Waterpark Association, Pentair Pool is proud to return as a Program Sponsor for NWSM this year.

In every facet of life, learning keeps your skills sharp, and this is particularly essential for aquatics. Whether you’re a service professional or pool owner, learning to safely enjoy water should be a top priority to mitigate risks, prevent accidents and create a secure environment for enjoyable aquatic experiences.

“At Pentair Pool, we help people safely and sustainably enjoy water. And safety is more than a priority — it’s at the core of our values and the foundation for how we conduct business,” said Greg Claffey, group president for Pentair Pool. “National Water Safety Month is a time to reflect and act on the importance of pool safety innovation and education in creating a safer environment for everyone, from pool owners to pool service professionals.”

Essential Tips for Ensuring Safety in Residential and Commercial Pool Settings

Discover crucial safety measures that both residential and commercial pool owners and professionals should implement to ensure the well-being of pool users and create a fun and effortless experience for all who dive in.

Pay Close Attention

Whether you have an above-ground pool or an inground pool, safety should always be a top priority, especially when children are involved. In fact, fatal drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a pool owner, supervision is the number one thing to save kids from drowning.

From repairing broken tiles to keeping your pool equipment in tip-top shape, your attentiveness now could prevent a sunny day emergency. In addition to creating a safer swim environment, leaning on a pool servicer can help you keep your pool in safe operating condition.

“Paying attention to safety is an important part of doing business and gaining people’s confidence,” said Kenneth Gregory, Safety and Compliance Manager at Pentair Pool. “If pool professionals see an issue in the backyard, it is their responsibility to flag those issues to the homeowner and correct them as soon as possible.”

Install Safety Equipment In & Around Water

Swim safety doesn’t start when you walk up to the pool. Pool fences, gate alarms, drain covers, cameras and water rescue equipment are just some of the essentials for a safe home pool environment.

“There are a myriad of things to pay attention to when owning and installing a pool,” said Eva Marcial, Director of Customer Experience at Pentair Pool. “Simple steps such as making sure the gate latch is working properly to ensure the continued security of your pool area to understanding the basic maintenance of a pool are all equally important when it comes to safety.”  

Innovative products that promote pool safety, such as Pentair’s NSF-certified BioShield® UV System, which reduces harmful chloramines, assist in making pools safer and more enjoyable for swimmers. The BioShield UV System reduces chloramines by up to 25%, which can help reduce itchy eyes and skin irritation*.

“Pentair’s BioShield UV Pro System water conditioning device is the very first to receive an NSF 50 approval to help reduce chloramines in swimming pools, which reduces chemical odors that can cause itchy skin and burning red eyes,” said Gregory.

Ensure Proper Maintenance

Getting to know the equipment at your pool and the do’s and don’ts of maintenance can also be valuable knowledge to keep in your toolkit. For example, understanding the safe and proper procedures for cleaning and maintaining your pool filters can help prevent safety hazards like trapped air. This is why pool owners should find a pool professional to handle this service. Trained experts know how to prevent this from happening, and they can answer any questions owners have about their pools, too.

Water chemistry is also a critical component of pool safety. To ensure the highest water quality, test pH and free chlorine levels daily, adding chemicals as needed. Proper chemical usage is important for maintaining a healthy pool. Be sure to follow the chemical manufacturer’s instructions closely regarding the proper dosage based on pool size.

When it comes to water clarity, pool owners should keep their filter, pump, lint trap and skimmer baskets clean and in proper working condition to help ensure their pool water stays sparkling clear.

“Clarity of water allows lifeguards to see swimmers and is a critical component of water safety,” said Marcial. “By following proper guidelines for handling, using and storing pool chemicals, you can help prevent accidents and assist in the maintenance of pool equipment.”

Qualified pool professionals can help keep your equipment in ready-to-use condition and check to make sure your pool complies with safety standards.

Teaching Water Safety

Pentair Pool provides educational materials thatdelve into crucial safety measures for both residential and commercial pool owners and professionals to ensure the well-being of users and to adhere to proper safety regulations. These resources offer key considerations such as proper fencing and gating, regular maintenance routines, service training and compliance with safety standards. By implementing these tips, pool owners and professionals can make water safety a priority beyond the swimming pool.

“Pentair Pool offers training on all its products for proper installation and maintenance,” said Gregory. “We conduct safety training for not only pool professionals but building and code officials as well on compliance with safety codes and standards. For this reason, Pentair is recognized as the industry leader for water safety.”

You can’t put a price on preparedness, so take the time to become First Aid/CPR certified. It doesn’t take a lot of time and the benefits are immeasurable. The Red Cross also offers classes, so don’t hesitate to find one near you. In addition to being certified in First Aid and CPR, you should have a pool safety plan, a phone nearby with emergency numbers and lifesaving equipment (like a hook or flotation device).

Pentair Pool takes water safety seriously. That’s why we’re a proud sponsor of the 2024 National Water Safety Month. Get more ideas on how to promote water safety here.

* Devices evaluated for a reduction in Combined Chloramine have demonstrated a 25% or 0.25 mg/L, whichever is greater, reduction during the test period as compared to the baseline period.