RouteCairn Organizational worksheet for independent U.S. pool-service operators evaluating a pool-route purchase. False False RouteCairn Pool-Route Purchase Due-Diligence Checklist A practical organizational worksheet for an independent U.S. pool-service operator evaluating a route purchase. Record what you verify, what remains open, who owns the next step, and your disposition. Important boundary: This checklist is an organizational worksheet only. It is not financial, legal, tax, insurance, licensing, or other professional advice. Consult qualified professionals and the appropriate parties for questions specific to your situation, route, contracts, employees, and transaction. How to use this sheet Before requesting records Ask the seller to identify the source and period for each record. Do not treat an unchecked statement, estimate, or sample entry as verified. For every check Use the blank columns to capture evidence or findings, unresolved follow-up questions, the owner or next step, and a decision or disposition. Check item Evidence / findings Follow-up questions Owner / next step Decision / disposition 1. Seller and route records Confirm the seller's legal name, contact information, role in the route, and authority to provide the records. Request a current customer list, service history, route map or address list, and the date each record was last updated. Compare the seller's description of the route with the records supplied, including customer count, service frequency, and service area. Identify any missing, duplicated, inactive, disputed, or recently added accounts before relying on the route totals. 2. Customer and recurring-revenue verification For a representative sample of accounts, match customer identity, service address, service type, cadence, and current price to source records. Verify which customers are current, past due, paused, seasonal, dissatisfied, or considering cancellation, and note the source and date. Reconcile recurring invoices, payment records, deposits, credits, refunds, and any non-recurring work included in the seller's revenue picture. Ask how price changes, service complaints, warranty work, callbacks, and unpaid balances are handled and documented. Confirm what customer data, communication history, payment information, and permissions can be transferred, and how access will be protected. 3. Service operations and route geography Map service addresses and check drive time, territory boundaries, traffic patterns, access constraints, and route sequence for a normal service week. Review service standards, visit notes, chemical or maintenance routines, callback history, and any accounts needing special handling. Identify gates, keys, codes, pets, tenant or community rules, water-access issues, and other access details that affect service. List seasonal demand, storm response, opening or closing work, repair referrals, and other operational commitments not obvious from recurring visits. 4. Equipment, vehicle, and supplies Create an itemized list of vehicles, tools, testing equipment, pumps or specialty equipment, and supplies included or excluded from the transaction. Inspect condition, service records, ownership, serial or asset identifiers, liens, leases, warranties, and any deferred maintenance. Count chemical and consumable inventory, note storage requirements and expiration concerns, and compare the count with the agreed scope. Confirm where equipment and supplies are stored, who controls access, and what must be replaced or purchased before the first service run. 5. Customer transition and staffing Define how customers will be notified, who will make introductions, what information can be shared, and how consent or preferences will be handled. Plan the first customer contact, first service visit, billing handoff, key or access transfer, and escalation path for complaints. Identify employees, subcontractors, or helpers connected to the route; document roles, availability, pay arrangements, and transition expectations for review with appropriate parties. Set an overlap or training plan for route knowledge, equipment use, customer preferences, chemical handling, and emergency contacts. 6. Costs and transition needs List recurring operating costs by category, including labor, chemicals, fuel, vehicle, repairs, software, payment processing, storage, and administration. List one-time transition needs such as equipment replacement, uniforms, customer communications, software setup, inventory, training, and working cash. Compare the seller's stated revenue and costs with the records you reviewed, and label each assumption as verified, unresolved, or excluded. Write down the cash timing, deposits, outstanding obligations, transfer costs, and contingencies that need review with a qualified financial or tax professional. 7. Insurance, licensing, and contract questions Ask the appropriate insurance professional what coverage, limits, exclusions, vehicle requirements, and claims history should be reviewed before operating the route. Ask the appropriate state, county, city, or trade authority which licenses, registrations, permits, training, chemical rules, or other requirements may apply. Have a qualified attorney review the proposed purchase agreement, customer-contract transfer terms, non-compete or non-solicit language, warranties, and liability allocation. Ask a qualified tax professional about entity, asset, sales-tax, payroll, depreciation, and other tax questions specific to the transaction and business. Confirm which documents, approvals, notices, and signatures are required before customer records, contracts, vehicles, equipment, or premises change hands. Final decision summary What is verified and supports moving forward? What remains uncertain or needs professional review? Decision / disposition Conditions, negotiation points, or walk-away items Open-items register Open itemEvidence still neededQuestion for whom?Owner / due dateStatus / disposition 7 7 2 False False