In-ground pool builder

Homeowners building a backyard pool, and sometimes small commercial clients like motels, condo boards or campgrounds.

A contract price per project, usually paid in stages (deposit, shell installed, completion). Margin comes from managing materials, subcontractors and schedules well.

• Construction or landscaping experience
• Project management and scheduling
• Quoting, contracts and sales

• Commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage, with cost depending on province and number of workers
• Municipal building permits, setback rules and fencing bylaws, which differ by municipality
• Quebec contractors should check licence requirements with the provincial construction regulator
• Gas heaters and electrical work need certified tradespeople, check provincial rules
• Weather and frost limit the building season, and deposits can be tied up in materials, so manage cash flow carefully
• Written contracts and clear payment stages help avoid disputes over delays and extras

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how much work you subcontract. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000. Treat both as estimates and check them against local quotes.

Check these points: commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage, municipal building permits, setback rules and fencing bylaws, licence requirements with the provincial construction regulator if you are in Quebec, and certified tradespeople for gas heaters and electrical work under provincial rules.

Helpful skills are construction or landscaping experience, project management and scheduling, and quoting, contracts and sales. Plan for at least about 30 hours a week. Weather and frost limit the building season, so manage cash flow and use written contracts with clear payment stages.