How can I check how many pool service customers are on seasonal contracts?

A list that says "seasonal" means little until you see the paper. Ask for a sample of signed agreements and read what each one commits the customer to: the service level, the start and end of the season, the payment schedule and any cancellation terms. Then check whether the money actually arrived the way the contract says.

Look at renewals, because that is where seasonal work shows its strength. Ask how many customers came back for the next season, how many needed a call or a discount to return and how many simply lapsed. A customer base that renews automatically is different from one that has to be won again each spring.

Also read the contracts for transfer. Some may not pass to a new owner without the customer’s agreement, and customers may have signed because of the person who sells and services them. Ask your lawyer how the assignment works, and ask your accountant how deposits and prepaid fees are handled in the statements, since prepaid service is work you may owe after closing. Remember to ask how the customers who pay per visit compare, since they can leave without any notice at all.

Key takeaways

• Get a list tagging every account by type, then read the signed agreements for the seasonal ones.
• Check renewal history to see which customers return without a push.
• Ask your lawyer whether contracts can be assigned and your accountant how prepayments are recorded.