How much do pool cleaning services cost?

As a homeowner, having a backyard or indoor swimming pool is a luxury. However, regular maintenance and cleanings are necessary to extend your pool's life and prevent costly swimming pool repairs down the line. For these reasons, many pool owners hire a pool company to come in once a week or once a month to keep their pool water sparkling clean, and the pumps and filters humming.

Whether you want to up your weekly cleaning game or get your swimming pool ready for a new season, a professional pool cleaner can help. Before you hire someone, get an estimate on pool cleaning costs with this guide.

The cost to clean and maintain your pool depends on a variety of factors, including the type of service you need, the pool's size and whether you get a package deal. Keep all of these factors in mind when researching swimming pool cleaning companies:

• Cleaning service. One-time pool cleanings cost $110-$134, on average. But you might pay a different amount if you opt for just a weekly shock treatment or chemical-only cleanings.
• Extra services. You'll usually be charged extra for treatments like a chlorine shock (a chemical process that's a deep clean for pool water), phosphate removers, clarifiers, algaecide and backwashing the filtration system. Acid washing (which you should do approximately every five to seven years), costs $175-$255. 
• Pool cleaning packages. Depending on the pool company, you may be able to secure a package deal that offers a discount on weekly or monthly cleanings.
• Swimming pool size. If you have a larger pool, pros might charge you more for cleaning services.
• Swimming pool type. Your costs will vary depending on whether you have an above-ground, in-ground, saltwater or chlorine pool. 

Some pool cleaners may offer hourly rates as part of their services.  For example, a Thumbtack pro in Phoenix charges $60 a month to only check chemicals and $90 a month for weekly full-service visits that include skimming, brushing, emptying all baskets and an equipment check. Additional services are $60 per hour.

A basic pool cleaning package usually includes weekly and monthly services.

Weekly pool cleaning services

• Check pH levels and balance pool chemicals.
• Skim debris from the surface and vacuum the bottom of the pool.
• Empty skimmer baskets.
• Check water level and add water if needed.

Monthly pool cleaning services

Monthly pool cleaners will perform the above tasks as well as:

• Check proper operation of pool equipment.
• Check filters and clean as needed. Sand filters and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters need to be backwashed, while cartridge filters should be removed and sprayed with a hose.
• Clean and check automatic pool cleaning systems.

The best way to clean your swimming pool is to hire a pro to handle it for you — especially if you don't understand how pool chemicals work, how to spot the need for potential repairs or if you just simply don't have the time to clean your pool every week. 

Read our guide on how to maintain a swimming pool to learn what steps you should take.

Get your pool cleaned at least once a week. At the very least, aim to get a professional to clean and maintain your pool every other week or once a month. They can make sure your pool is getting enough chlorine and the appropriate number of shock treatments.

Cartridge filters need to be cleaned out at least once a year, explains Debbie Tyer of Humble Bee Pool Service and Repair in Mesa, Arizona. They use a combination of muriatic acid and high-pressure water to get the filters clean and charge $100 for the service.

Kyle Bernard of Radiance Pools in Tempe, Arizona, recommends cleaning filters biannually to have them working in peak condition. His company charges $80 per filter cleaning. "A dirty filter can cause a high backpressure, which makes the pump work harder and the water filter slower," he explains. “This can lead to equipment damage and green or cloudy water.”

Before you hire a professional pool company or cleaner, be sure to:

• Read online reviews and make sure they have experience maintaining pools like yours.
• Get free estimates from multiple pool companies. If you're signing an annual contract, you'll especially want to shop around to make sure you're getting the best deal.
• Ask what the cost estimate includes. Does the cleaning quote include the cost of pool chemicals and replacement filters? How will you be charged for extras like chlorine shocks, filter backwashes or algaecide? How many visits per month do you get with an annual service contract?
• Hire qualified technicians. There are "pool guys," and there are the pool techs who are Certified Maintenance Specialists (CMS) and know how to keep your pool perfect. Spend the money on certified pool cleaners because your swimming pool is too expensive to cut corners with shoddy care.

For more tips on how to hire a professional, visit Thumbtack's Smart Hiring guide.

Ready to hire a professional to do the dirty work of keeping your pool clean? Read reviews and find a pool cleaning specialist near you on Thumbtack.