Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Weekly pool service is a route business. The kit is light; what matters is a test kit you trust, chemicals on the truck and a way to fix the small things on the spot.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Telescoping pole with skimmer net and brush | Every stop | Varies by brand |
| Vacuum head and hose | Floors on weekly visits | Varies by brand |
| Water test kit with reagents | Chlorine, pH, alkalinity and more | Varies by brand |
| Leaf rake and tile brush | Heavy debris and waterline scum | Varies by brand |
| Chemical dispenser and measuring tools | Dosing the right amount | Varies by brand |
| Gloves and eye protection | Handling chlorine and acid | Varies by brand |
| Locking chemical storage on the truck | Safe transport | Varies by brand |
| Filter cleaning wand | Cartridge and DE filter cleans | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most pool service companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Digital photometer test kit | Faster, consistent readings for the customer report | Varies by brand |
| Pool vacuum or robot for green pools | Recovery jobs | Varies by brand |
| Submersible pump | Draining and green-to-clean work | Varies by brand |
| Multimeter | Pumps, heaters and timers | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Truck rack or trailer for chemical drums | Bigger routes | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Liquid chlorine and tablets. Every stop.
- Muriatic acid or pH down, and pH up. Balancing.
- Alkalinity and calcium increaser. Balancing.
- Pump lids, O-rings and baskets. Common repairs on site.
- Filter cartridges in common sizes. Swaps on the spot.
What a pool service kit costs
None of the 8 starter kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $305 at the maker's listed price, out of 5 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The truck and its chemical storage swing the total most. Chemical spend grows with each stop, so most shops price chemicals into the monthly rate.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most pool service companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our pool service suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the pool service services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.