How to still make a profit with high gas prices

Written on Jul 04, 2008 at 12:10 PM by Davy Feller

An arm and maybe a leg or two – that's how much a tank of gas is going to run you these days. Eventually that crunch at the pump is going to put a dent in your bottom line. The good news is that you can still make a profit as a pool cleaner even with the high price of gas.

Pack a Lunch

First, start brown bagging it. I'm as guilty as the next pool cleaner when it comes to popping in and out of the mini-mart all day grabbing a Coke and a Snickers bar. I've been saving a whole lot of money since I started bringing along a cooler filled with cold drinks. For the price of a couple of fountain drinks you can pretty much buy an entire 12-pack of your favorite soda. Pack healthier snacks and you could lose a few pounds while you save a few bucks!

Charge'em

Next, pass the cost onto your customers. I know it sounds harsh when you say it that bluntly, but that's how business works. You have to charge a fee that covers your operating expenses and still allows you to make a profit. Take a walk down the aisles of the grocery store. Prices are increasing because of the cost of fuel. A pool cleaning business should be no different than any other business.

Shop Around

Be a comparison shopper. A few cents a gallon can add up over time. Check around for the cheapest gas prices instead of filling up at the first station you see. Some stores offer shopper reward cards that will save you up to ten cents a gallon after you've spent X amount of dollars. If you're shopping there anyway, why not get cheaper gas?

Watch Your Grade

Speaking of cheaper gas, most vehicles will get along just fine with the lower grade fuel. Leave the premium unleaded for your champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

Tune it Up

Whatever kind of car you're driving, be sure to keep it tuned up. Even something as small as under-inflated tires can waste gas. All the big gas stations offer free air, so this one is a no-brainer.

I also try to schedule my appointments so that I'm not driving back and forth all over town. I take a few minutes the night before to plot out the most efficient route for the next day. It also helps ensure that I'm always on time for my appointments.

A quick word of caution: The one thing you don't want to do is cut corners when it comes to the quality of your work. Don't chintz out on supplies or do less than your best work to pack in more customers each day. Without happy customers, falling profits become zero profits!

Downsize

Consider downsizing to a mini-truck. Most pool cleaners drive large utility vans, which are definitely convenient for carrying all of your supplies and equipment. Chances are, though, you could fit all of your equipment in a smaller vehicle. And the smaller the vehicle, the less gas it's going to use. On a similar note, only bring along the equipment you need. Taking off your roof rack alone could improve your gas mileage by 5%.