Rhodes Pools and Patios owner Jessica Rhodes polishes up a hot tub in the showroom. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

As summer quickly approaches, area swimming pool dealers are gearing up for what they expect to be another good season for sales.

“So far it looks promising but the weather has not been very kind,” said owner Randy Colyer of Greenwood Pools and Spas. “The interest is there but the weather has not been conducive to getting projects done, it has been one of the wettest Aprils in history.”

According to Pkdata Inc., a source for market data in the pool and spa industry, there was a huge boom in the second half of 2020 and throughout 2021 due to the pandemic. That also led to significant price increases for both above ground and inground pools.

More than 60% of participating pool builders expected increased sales over the next 12 months, so the outlook is positive, according to the most recent survey from the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. There was also an increase in late 2023 in the number of remodel projects, rather than new builds.

Last year was a great year for sales but nowhere near during the COVID surge, said owner Mark Glova of Holiday Pools and Spas, Duncansville.

“If you take COVID out, we have had steady growth year after year of 15 percent plus,” Glova said. “Last year was similar to pre-COVID levels.”

The business has grown 15% to 20% each year since Glova took over in 2017, thanks in large part to “astronomical” sales during COVID.

Last year was also a good year for Greenwood Pools and Spas.

“We still had people buying new pools and also many people updating their existing pools. I think we did very well, we had a great year for above and inground pools, remodels and general maintenance. It was very satisfying,” Colyer said.

Glova admitted sales this year are off to a slower start than in previous years.

“High interest rates are impacting people’s buying decisions. People are being more selective, but the higher income customers are still willing to pursue backyard renovations and luxury items,” Glova said. “Entry level pools and spa sales are down but $100,000 pools and $40,000 to $50,000 swim spa sales are still on target.”

Glova said swim spas have become very popular, growing by “leaps and bounds” despite growing interest rates. Sales so far have been “astronomical” for that category, due to what Glova said is a shift in mindset for buyers.

“Swim spas are called year-round pools. You can use it for 12 months for one-third of the cost of an inground pool,” Glova said. “The mindset of the consumer is changing, sacrifice size, save money and use it 12 months out of the year.”

Colyer said he has been selling more deluxe pools.

“We don’t do cookie cutter installs, most are more deluxe. What are selling are ingrounds and five person spas and hot tubs, they are doing well for us,” Colyer said. “The only thing lacking is above ground pools, they are so weather-oriented. We sell more when it is hot and dry.”

Sales increased last year at Rhodes Pools and Patios, Altoona, said owner Jessica Rhodes. She said her business sells an equal number of above ground and inground pools.

“It all depends on the homeowner’s budget, landscape and wants,” Rhodes said.

She said she is currently scheduling installations for July since their crew installs ingrounds year-round.

Glova said his business is not completely booked for this year.

“We are one of the largest fiberglass installers in central Pennsylvania. We still install vinyl liners but 90 percent are fiberglass,” Glova said. “We have a high install calendar but we are not completely booked because we do it much faster. We are already booking for next year.”

Colyer said his schedule for dong installations is pretty much booked for this year and he is booked into the middle of next year .

Glova encourages customers to shop around before deciding on a pool.

“Our job isn’t just to sell a product but to educate them on the options and see long term, you will have the pool 15-30 years. The best advice to a customer is educate yourself and feel comfortable with the company you decide to go with,” Glova said.

Colyer and Rhodes agree, saying it’s best to come in person to see what best fits a customer’s wants and needs, rather than trying to do research online. They said it’s not a good idea to wait until the last minute to do research or to get in contact with a local supplier.

“Get in early and talk to us, make an informed decision, we can customize whatever you want,” Colyer said. “So many people look online and you can’t get a true picture, some people don’t do enough research. I would tell someone looking for a pool to stop in and talk with one of our professionals.”

“It is best for the homeowner to have a set budget and know the code requirements for their area,” Rhodes said. “Also, take into consideration the timeframe. Reputable companies typically book months, to even years, in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute to start communicating with a company.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.