What did this mean for pool permit registrations? After a 293 per cent increase between January and March 2020 to 2021, 32.6 per cent fewer permits were issued during this period in 2022. This decrease continued into April, May, and June which was the height of the 2021 season. That said, it was not all doom and gloom as pool builders across the country still preserved through the pandemic-fuelled economic woes. Pool permit registrations in 2022 did not reach the decade-high numbers seen in 2021; however, they were the third most recorded in the last 12 years.
Current industry trends
Builders faced a challenging period of three consecutive seasons, with no break in between. They were confronted with an increased demand for pools, navigating supply chain difficulties, and dealing with labour shortages which triggered a chain reaction. Consequently, in 2020, numerous builders had already reserved their spots not only for 2021, but also the 2022 season.
In the past three years, builders have undertaken nearly the same number of projects as they did in the preceding five years, and there is still more work to be done. It is expected that the number of permit registrations will continue to exceed the 10-year average, and service work will become a significant aspect of one’s business. As a result, more than half of the participants in Pool & Spa Marketing’s industry survey anticipate being in a comparable or related position in the industry five years from now.
Even though 15.6 per cent of individuals plan to exit the industry by 2027, there is a constant stream of young professionals under the age of 35 joining the aquatics industry. Despite the recent increase in work hours, job-related stress, and difficulty managing a decent work/life balance, nearly 70 per cent of survey respondents have been working in the pool business for more than 20 years, while more than 50 per cent have held this career for over 25 years. Although staffing in this seasonal industry can be challenging and has become particularly apparent in the past three seasons, 57 percent of respondents have been with their current company for more than 15 years and 56.8 percent have worked for only one or two businesses.
