1(self.webpackChunk_N_E=self.webpackChunk_N_E||[]).push([[29669],{20272:function(e,t,s){"use strict";s(67294);var r=s(20350),n=s(85893);t.Z=function(e){e.slug;return(0,n.jsx)("div",{style:{position:"sticky",top:"100px"},children:(0,n.jsxs)("div",{style:{background:"#003CFF",borderRadius:12,padding:"28px 24px",color:"#fff"},children:[(0,n.jsx)("p",{style:{fontSize:"0.72rem",fontWeight:700,letterSpacing:"1.2px",textTransform:"uppercase",color:"#a8bfff",marginBottom:8},children:"SubcontractorHub"}),(0,n.jsx)("h3",{style:{fontSize:"1.3rem",fontWeight:800,lineHeight:1.25,marginBottom:12,color:"#fff"},children:"See How Top Contractors Close More Jobs"}),(0,n.jsx)("p",{style:{fontSize:"0.9rem",color:"#ccd9ff",marginBottom:16},children:"AI proposals, sales pipeline, and project management \u2014 all in one platform."}),(0,n.jsx)("ul",{style:{listStyle:"none",padding:0,margin:"0 0 20px",fontSize:"0.875rem",color:"#e0e8ff"},children:["AI-powered proposals in the field","CRM built for contractor sales","Project tracking from sale to install"].map((function(e){return(0,n.jsxs)("li",{style:{marginBottom:8,display:"flex",alignItems:"flex-start",gap:8},children:[(0,n.jsx)("span",{style:{color:"#7dd3fc",flexShrink:0},children:"\u2713"}),e]},e)}))}),(0,n.jsx)(r.Z,{utmContent:"blog__sidebar-cta",style:{cursor:"pointer",display:"block",background:"#fff",color:"#003CFF",textAlign:"center",padding:"12px 20px",borderRadius:8,fontWeight:700,fontSize:"0.95rem",textDecoration:"none"},children:"Book a Free Demo \u2192"}),(0,n.jsx)("p",{style:{fontSize:"0.75rem",color:"#a8bfff",textAlign:"center",marginTop:10,marginBottom:0},children:"30 minutes. No commitment."})]})})}},79450:function(e,t,s){"use strict";s.r(t);s(67294);var r=s(10682),n=s(21608),a=s(31555),i=s(9008),l=s.n(i),o=s(41664),c=s.n(o),d=s(20272),h=s(81730),m=s(85893),x="https://www.subcontractorhub.com/blog/how-to-start-a-water-treatment-business",u="https://www.subcontractorhub.com/assets/image/blog/contractor-homeowner-meeting-web.jpg",p=[{q:"How much does it cost to start a water treatment business?",a:"Plan on roughly $33,000 to $138,000 if every line item lands at its low or high end. A lean independent dealer who already owns a usable van and starts with a small stock of softeners and RO units can open near $35,000 to $50,000. Buying a new van, a deeper inventory, and a larger launch marketing budget can push past $100,000. Signing with a national brand usually adds buying commitments on top. These are planning ranges, not quotes."},{q:"Is a water softener business profitable?",a:"It can be, because the installed ticket is large and the customer keeps paying after the install. A one-van dealer selling eight systems a month at a $4,500 average ticket and a 50% gross margin clears roughly $2,000 a month above a $16,000 overhead that already includes the owner's wage, and every service plan added after that is margin on top. The dealers who struggle usually close installs and then never schedule the filter changes, salt, and sanitization that make the business durable."},{q:"Do I need a license to sell water softeners?",a:"It depends on the state. Texas requires a TCEQ Water Treatment Specialist license (Class I, II, or III) to install and service residential water treatment equipment. Some other states treat connecting equipment to the potable water supply as plumbing work, which means a licensed plumber or a permit for the tie-in. Many states have no water-treatment-specific license at all. Check your state environmental agency, your plumbing board, and your local building department before your first install."},{q:"How do water softener dealers make money?",a:"Dealers earn on three layers: the margin on the installed system (often a softener paired with reverse osmosis or whole-house filtration), recurring service revenue from filter and membrane changes, salt delivery, and annual sanitization, and rental or lease-to-own programs that bill monthly. Financing is what turns a $3,000 to $8,000 system into an easy monthly decision, and the service plan is what keeps the customer paying for years afterwards."},{q:"Should I become a Culligan or Kinetico dealer or go independent?",a:"An authorized brand dealer gets a re
1cognized name, a protected territory, and marketing and training support, in exchange for buying commitments and the brand's product and pricing rules. An independent dealer buys equipment from distributors, often built on common control valves such as Fleck and Clack, and keeps full control of pricing and product choice but builds the brand from zero. Brand programs suit owners who want a system to follow; independence suits plumbers and operators who already have a customer base."},{q:"What certifications does a water treatment business need?",a:"Outside states like Texas that license water treatment work, certification is usually voluntary. The Water Quality Association (WQA) offers professional certifications, including Certified Water Specialist (CWS), Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR), Certified Installer (CI), Certified Service Technician (CST), Certified Technical Director (CTD), and Master Water Specialist (MWS). They are widely used to build credibility with homeowners and commercial buyers, and some brand dealer programs expect them."},{q:"What should I check before buying a water treatment business for sale?",a:"Look at the recurring book first: how many active service plans and rentals there are, what they bill each month, and how many have cancelled in the past year. Then check the condition and age of the rental fleet, whether customer contracts transfer to a new owner, whether any brand territory rights transfer or need the brand's approval, and whether the customer list lives in software you can actually take over."}],y={"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList",itemListElement:[{"@type":"ListItem",position:1,name:"Home",item:"https://www.subcontractorhub.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem",position:2,name:"Blog",item:"https://www.subcontractorhub.com/blog"},{"@type":"ListItem",position:3,name:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business in 2026",item:x}]},f={"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage",mainEntity:p.map((function(e){return{"@type":"Question",name:e.q,acceptedAnswer:{"@type":"Answer",text:e.a}}}))},b={"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting",headline:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business in 2026: Costs, Licensing & the Dealer Model",description:"A 2026 guide to starting a water treatment dealership: independent vs brand dealer, licensing, a startup cost table, the in-home water test sale, service plans, and break-even math.",url:x,datePublished:"2026-09-29",dateModified:"2026-09-29",author:{"@type":"Organization",name:"SubcontractorHub",url:"https://www.subcontractorhub.com"},publisher:{"@type":"Organization",name:"SubcontractorHub",logo:{"@type":"ImageObject",url:"https://www.subcontractorhub.com/assets/image/logo.png"}},image:u,mainEntityOfPage:{"@type":"WebPage","@id":x}},g={verticalAlign:"top"},j={background:"#EBF6FF"},w={listStyleType:"disc",paddingLeft:"1.5rem"},v={listStyleType:"decimal",paddingLeft:"1.5rem"};t.default=function(){return(0,m.jsxs)(m.Fragment,{children:[(0,m.jsxs)(l(),{children:[(0,m.jsx)("meta",{charSet:"utf-8"}),(0,m.jsx)("title",{children:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business: 2026 Dealer Guide"}),(0,m.jsx)("link",{rel:"canonical",href:x}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"description",content:"How to start a water treatment business: independent vs brand dealer, licensing, startup costs, the water test sale, service plans, and break-even math."}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"keywords",content:"how to start a water treatment business, water treatment business, water softener business, water softener dealer, water treatment business for sale, water treatment dealer"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:title",content:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business in 2026: Costs, Licensing & the Dealer Model | SubcontractorHub"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:description",content:"Independent vs brand dealer, licensing, a startup cost table, the in-home water test sale, service-plan revenue, and break-even math for a one-van dealer."}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:type",content:"article"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:url",content:x}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:image",content:u}
1),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:image:width",content:"1200"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{property:"og:image:height",content:"630"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"twitter:card",content:"summary_large_image"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"twitter:title",content:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business in 2026 | SubcontractorHub"}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"twitter:description",content:"Startup costs, licensing, the dealer model, and break-even math for a new water treatment business."}),(0,m.jsx)("meta",{name:"twitter:image",content:u}),(0,m.jsx)("script",{type:"application/ld+json",dangerouslySetInnerHTML:{__html:JSON.stringify(f)}}),(0,m.jsx)("script",{type:"application/ld+json",dangerouslySetInnerHTML:{__html:JSON.stringify(y)}}),(0,m.jsx)("script",{type:"application/ld+json",dangerouslySetInnerHTML:{__html:JSON.stringify(b)}})]}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"bg-background pb-14 pb-lg-22 pt-26 pt-lg-42",children:(0,m.jsx)(r.Z,{className:"px-xs-8 px-sm-4",children:(0,m.jsx)("div",{"data-aos":"fade-left","data-aos-duration":"1000","data-aos-once":"true",className:"pb-8",children:(0,m.jsxs)(n.Z,{children:[(0,m.jsx)(a.Z,{md:12,lg:8,children:(0,m.jsxs)("div",{className:"max-w-md px-2 blogDetail ms-0",children:[(0,m.jsx)("h1",{className:"title text-left fs-text_1 mt-4 mt-xxs-0 heading-color mb-3",children:"How to Start a Water Treatment Business in 2026: Costs, Licensing & the Dealer Model"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"text-color-opacity mb-5",style:{fontSize:"0.875rem"},children:["By ",(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"SubcontractorHub Editorial Team"}),(0,m.jsx)("span",{className:"mx-2",children:"\xb7"}),"Published September 2026"]}),(0,m.jsx)("img",{src:"/assets/image/blog/contractor-homeowner-meeting-web.jpg",alt:"Contractor meeting with a homeowner at their home to review a proposal",className:"img-fluid rounded-2 mb-6 w-100",style:{objectFit:"cover",maxHeight:320},loading:"eager",width:"780",height:"320"}),(0,m.jsxs)("div",{className:"bg-default-2 rounded-2 p-4 mb-6",style:{borderLeft:"4px solid #003CFF"},children:[(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"text-primary fw-bold mb-2",style:{fontSize:"0.72rem",letterSpacing:"1.2px",textTransform:"uppercase"},children:"Quick Answer"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 mb-0",children:["A water treatment business sells and services softeners, reverse osmosis, whole-house filtration, and well water systems. You choose between running an"," ",(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"independent dealer"})," and signing with a national brand, check whether your state licenses the work (Texas does), insure the business, and budget roughly"," ",(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"$33,000 to $138,000"})," to open. The model that works is an in-home water test, a priced proposal on the same visit, financing on a $3,000 to $8,000 system, and a"," ",(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"service plan"})," that keeps billing for years."," ",(0,m.jsx)("a",{href:"".concat(h.xL,"/sch-book-a-demo?cta=how-to-start-a-water-treatment-business__quick_answer&utm_content=how-to-start-a-water-treatment-business__quick_answer"),children:"See the software water treatment dealers use to run it \u2192"})]})]}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"Water treatment is not really an equipment business. A softener is a commodity that any distributor will sell you. What you actually build is a customer list: homes whose water you tested, whose system you installed, and whose filters, salt, and sanitization you handle every year afterwards. Dealers who understand that build durable businesses. Dealers who only chase installs start from zero every month."}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["This guide is for new dealers and for plumbers adding water treatment to an existing shop. It covers the two dealer models, licensing, startup costs, pricing, the water test sale, recurring revenue, a break-even example, and what to check if you buy an existing business instead. For how SubcontractorHub supports this model, see our"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/water-purification",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"water treatment dealer softw
1are"})}),"."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Independent Dealer vs. Authorized Brand Dealer"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"The first decision shapes everything else. Independent dealers buy equipment from distributors, usually built on common control valves such as Fleck and Clack, and sell it under their own name. National brands including Culligan, Kinetico, EcoWater, and RainSoft run dealer or franchise networks. Terms differ by brand and are negotiated individually, but the general trade is the same: you get a known name and a territory, and in return you accept the brand's product rules and buying commitments."}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"table-responsive mb-4",children:(0,m.jsxs)("table",{className:"table table-bordered fs-text_10",style:{minWidth:640},children:[(0,m.jsx)("thead",{style:{background:"#012498",color:"#fff"},children:(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Factor"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Independent dealer"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Authorized brand dealer"})]})}),(0,m.jsxs)("tbody",{children:[(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Equipment"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Any distributor; parts are interchangeable across common valves"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"The brand's product line, often with proprietary valves and parts"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Brand recognition"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Built from scratch through reviews and referrals"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Recognized name from day one"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Territory"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"None protected; compete anywhere"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Protected territory in most programs"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Pricing"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Full control"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Set within brand guidelines"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Commitments"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Buy what you need, when you need it"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Purchase minimums or buying commitments"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Support"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Distributor technical help only"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Training, marketing programs, and lead support"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Best fit"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Plumbers with an existing customer base; owners who want margin control"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"New owners who want a proven system to follow"})]})]})]})}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:"Read any dealer agreement with an attorney before signing, paying particular attention to the buying commitment, territory boundaries, and what happens to your customer list if you leave."}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Licensing and Certification"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"There is no national license for water treatment, and state rules range from strict to nothing at all."}),(0,m.jsxs)("ul",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",style:w,children:[(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Texas."})," The TCEQ requires a Water Treatment Specialist license, issued in Class I, II, and III, to install and service residential water treatment equipment. The application fee is $111, the license runs three years, and renewal requires 12 hours of continuing education."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Plumbing-code states."})," Some states treat cutting into the potable water supply as plumbing work. There, the tie-in needs a licensed plumber, a permit, or both, even if selling the equipment does not."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Everywhere else."})," A general business license, sales tax registration, and local permits where required."]})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["WQA professional certifications (CWR, CWS, CI, CST, CTD, and MWS) are voluntary in most states but widely used, and they carry weight with commercial buyers. Our"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/blog/water-treatment-certification",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"water treatment certification guide"})})," ","explains which one fits each role. Licensed plumbers have an advantage here, because they can handle the tie-in themselves; see"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/blog/how-to-start-a-plumbing-business",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"how to start a plumbing business"})})," ","if you are building that side first."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Insurance"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["You are cutting into a home's water supply and leaving pressurized equipment behind. A failed bypass valve or loose fitting can flood a finished basement, so general liability is the minimum. Add commercial auto for the van, workers' comp once you hire, and inland marine coverage for inventory on the truck. See our"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/water-treatment-business-insurance",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"water treatment business insurance"})})," ","guide for the coverage list and typical costs."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Startup Costs"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"The ranges below are illustrative planning numbers for a one-van independent dealer, not quotes. Brand programs add their own buying commitments."}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"table-responsive mb-4",children:(0,m.jsxs)("table",{className:"table table-bordered fs-text_10",style:{minWidth:640},children:[(0,m.jsx)("thead",{style:{background:"#012498",color:"#fff"},children:(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Item"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Low"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"High"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Notes"})]})}),(0,m.jsxs)("tbody",{children:[(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Licensing & certification"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$150"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$1,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"State license where required, WQA exams, local permits"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"LLC & registration"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$100"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$800"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"State filing, business license, sales tax permit"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Van"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$12,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$55,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Used cargo van vs. new; softener tanks and salt are heavy"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Van upfit"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$1,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$6,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Shelving, tank restraints, wrap"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Test kits & meters"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$300"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$2,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Hardness, iron, pH, TDS, chlorine; a photometer at the high end"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Tools"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$1,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$5,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Press tool, PEX tools, cutters, hand tools"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Starter inventory"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$5,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$20,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"A few softeners and RO units, media, cartridges, fittings"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Insurance (year 1)"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$2,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$8,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"General liability, commercial auto, inventory"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Website & marketing"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$1,500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$10,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Site, Google Business Profile, water test offer, ads"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Software (year 1)"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$500"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$4,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Quoting, financing, scheduling, service plans"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Working capital"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$8,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"$25,000"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Three months of overhead and owner pay"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:{background:"#012498",color:"#fff"},children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Estimated total"})}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"~$33,000"})}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"~$138,000"})}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Every line at its low or high end"})]})]})]})}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:"Most independents open between $35,000 and $60,000. A plumber adding water treatment already has the van, tools, and insurance, so the real cost is test equipment, inventory, and training."}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Pricing and the Average Ticket"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:["Our"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/tools/water-softener-cost-calculator",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"water softener cost calculator"})})," ","puts a standard softener at roughly $1,500 to $3,500 installed, and the"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/tools/reverse-osmosis-system-cost-calculator",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"reverse osmosis system cost c
1alculator"})})," ","puts an under-sink RO system at $350 to $650. Whole-house RO is a separate category at $6,000 to $15,000."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["Dealer tickets are usually bigger than a single unit because the water test rarely finds just one problem. A softener plus drinking-water RO, or iron filtration ahead of a softener on well water, commonly lands between $3,000 and $8,000. The"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/tools/well-water-treatment-system-selector",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"well water treatment system selector"})})," ","shows how quickly a well-water system stacks up equipment."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"The In-Home Water Test Sale"}),(0,m.jsxs)("ol",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",style:v,children:[(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Book the test."})," A free in-home water test is the standard lead offer. Confirm both decision-makers will be home."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Test in front of them."})," Hardness, iron, pH, TDS, and chlorine, with results written down. On wells, recommend a certified lab test for bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Tie results to symptoms."})," Scale on fixtures, stained laundry, smell, and the cost of bottled water."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Present a priced proposal on the same visit."})," Good, better, and best options, each with a monthly payment."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Attach the service plan at signing."})," It is far easier to sell during the install sale than by phone six months later."]})]}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:'Dealers who send a quote "later tonight" lose a large share of those deals to the next company the homeowner calls.'}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Financing"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["A $5,500 system is a hard yes at the kitchen table. As a monthly payment on approved credit, often under $100 depending on term and rate, it is a different conversation, especially next to a bottled-water bill. Putting"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/financeIt",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"customer financing"})})," ","directly into the proposal lets the homeowner pick a monthly payment instead of a lump sum, and it keeps the better and best options from getting cut to the cheapest unit."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Recurring Revenue: The Service Plan"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"Every system you install needs regular service. That is the business. Typical line items:"}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"table-responsive mb-4",children:(0,m.jsxs)("table",{className:"table table-bordered fs-text_10",style:{minWidth:560},children:[(0,m.jsx)("thead",{style:{background:"#012498",color:"#fff"},children:(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Service item"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Typical interval"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Notes"})]})}),(0,m.jsxs)("tbody",{children:[(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Sediment & carbon cartridges"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"3\u201312 months"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Shorter on well water or heavy use"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"RO membrane"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"2\u20135 years"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Depends on feed water and pre-filter upkeep"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"UV lamp"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Yearly"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Lamps lose output before they burn out"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Softener resin"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"~10\u201315 years"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"On clean municipal water; less with iron or chlorine"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Salt delivery"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Monthly or bi-monthly"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"A route business in its own right"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Sanitization & inspection"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Annually"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{style:g,children:"Softener and RO sanitization, valve check"})]})]})]})}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:["Salt delivery deserves its own line: thousands of homeowners search for it every month, and a dense route pays for itself. Rental and lease-to-own programs are the other common recurring model, billing monthly with service included. The leak is simple: when nothing schedules the visit, the filter change never happens, and the customer calls someone else. Our"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/blog/water-softener-maintenance",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"water softener maintenance guide"})})," ","covers what each visit should include."]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Worked Example: Break-Even for a One-Van Dealer"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"Illustrative assumptions: 8 installs a month, a $4,500 average ticket, 50% gross margin ($2,250 gross profit per install), and $16,000 a month of fixed cost, which includes a $6,000 owner wage. Half of customers take a $35-a-month service plan with a 55% margin, so four new plans a month. No cancellations are assumed; real books lose some."}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"table-responsive mb-4",children:(0,m.jsxs)("table",{className:"table table-bordered fs-text_10",style:{minWidth:560},children:[(0,m.jsx)("thead",{style:{background:"#012498",color:"#fff"},children:(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Month"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Active plans"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Monthly recurring revenue"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Recurring gross profit"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Installs to break even"}),(0,m.jsx)("th",{children:"Profit at 8 installs"})]})}),(0,m.jsxs)("tbody",{children:[(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"1"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"4"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$140"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$77"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"7.1"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$2,077"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"6"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"24"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$840"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$462"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"6.9"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$2,462"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"12"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"48"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$1,680"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$924"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"6.7"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$2,924"})]}),(0,m.jsxs)("tr",{style:j,children:[(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"24"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"96"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$3,360"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$1,848"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"6.3"}),(0,m.jsx)("td",{children:"$3,848"})]})]})]})}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",children:"Install revenue at 8 a month is $36,000 and $18,000 gross profit, or $2,000 above fixed cost. By month 24 the plan book adds $1,848 a month without a single new sale, nearly doubling profit. Those 96 customers are also the source of your next round of equipment replacements and referrals. A slow sales month hurts less every year the book grows."}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Getting Leads"}),(0,m.jsxs)("ul",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",style:w,children:[(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Free water test offers"})," on your website, Google Business Profile, and mailers."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Plumber referrals."})," Plumbers who don't want to sell treatment will refer it. 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1)," Restaurants, offices, and light industrial sites need filtration and service on contract. See"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/blog/commercial-water-treatment",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"commercial water treatment"})}),"."]})]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Buying an Existing Water Treatment Business"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-4",children:"A water treatment business for sale can be worth more than starting fresh, because the value sits in the recurring book. Check:"}),(0,m.jsxs)("ul",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-8",style:w,children:[(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"The service-plan book."})," Active plans, monthly billing, and the past year's cancellations."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Rental fleet condition."})," Unit ages, valve types, and how many need replacement soon."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Customer list transferability."})," Whether contracts assign to a new owner and whether the data lives in software you can take over."]}),(0,m.jsxs)("li",{className:"mb-2",children:[(0,m.jsx)("strong",{children:"Territory rights."})," For a brand dealership, whether the territory transfers and whether the brand must approve you."]})]}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"Software: Quote, Finance, and Schedule in One System"}),(0,m.jsxs)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-6",children:["A dealer needs three things to happen without friction: a priced proposal built at the water test, financing presented inside that proposal, and the service plan scheduled automatically once the system is installed. When those live in separate apps, the service visit is the part that falls through. SubcontractorHub handles quoting, embedded financing, and job scheduling in one login. See"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/water-purification",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"SubcontractorHub for water treatment dealers"})}),", or"," ",(0,m.jsx)(c(),{href:"/plumbing",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{className:"text-primary",children:"software for plumbing contractors"})})," ","if water treatment is an add-on to your plumbing shop."]}),(0,m.jsx)("div",{className:"mb-8",children:(0,m.jsx)("a",{href:"".concat(h.xL,"/sch-book-a-demo?cta=how-to-start-a-water-treatment-business__software_section&utm_content=how-to-start-a-water-treatment-business__software_section"),className:"cta-btn-1 fs-text_7 lh-normal font-interBold mobile-px-6 d-inline-block",children:"See SubcontractorHub in Action"})}),(0,m.jsx)("h2",{className:"fs-text_6 heading-color mb-4",children:"The Bottom Line"}),(0,m.jsx)("p",{className:"fs-text_10 text-color-opacity mb-6",children:"Choose your dealer model, check your state's licensing and tie-in rules, insure the business, and budget from a line-item table. 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