Dividing the Nation

Responses to our labor survey came in from 20 states. As we have come to expect, responses were heaviest from the areas with the highest number of pools.

The top states in order of participation were California, Florida, Arizona and Texas.

For statistical purposes, we divided the country into seven geographic regions, based on their location and the number of responses we received.

Thefollowingisthewaywebrokeitdown:

Northern California — From the Oregon Border south to Bakersfield. Northern California represents 15 percent of the responses we received. We also included Oregon in this region.

Southern California — From the Mexican Border north to Bakersfield. Southern California represents 21 percent of the responses we received.

Southwest — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. The Southwest represented 21 percent of the responses we received this year.

Florida — The swimming pool service industry is large enough in this state for it to qualify as a separate region. Florida represents 15 percent of the responses received.

Southeast — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Southeast represents 18 percent of the responses we received this year.

Northeast — Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The Northeast represents 6 percent of the total number of responses that we received this year.

Midwest — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The Midwest represents 4 percent of the responses we received this year.

The average is actually the median

Whenever possible, we use the median figure for determining averages. So the “average” price for the various levels of service represents actual prices that someone is charging. Half of the reported pricing is higher than the median, and half is lower.

When responses from a region were considered insufficient to give us an accurate reading, we dropped that region from our pricing survey. And whenever possible, we provide “highs” and “lows” for each level of service, to give you an idea of the ranges of pricing.

When considering dollar amounts, we rounded up or down to the nearest whole dollar.

General hourly repair charges are as follows: Northern California — “Average”, $105; High, $150; Low $85.

Southern California — “Average”, $110; High, $150; Low $50.

Southwest — “Average”, $100; High, $150; Low $45.

Florida — “Average”, $95; High, $125; Low $60.

Southeast — “Average”, $100; High, $130; Low, $85.

Northeast — “Average”, $98; High, $125; Low, $60.

Midwest — “Average”, $90; High, $100; Low $85.

To make it easier to evaluate business practices, all labor fees are organized by region.

Not all regions of the country responded to this survey section at the same level, but those that did may find these pricing guidelines useful in evaluating their business practices.

In general, the data that inspires the most confidence is based on higher participation and came from both halves of California, Florida and the Southwest.

The following is a regional breakdown for standard services, with percentages of