#1
The Pool Shed
“I've traded with pool shed over 35 years. Always 1st rate!! Kind, knowledgeable and always take time with me like I'm the absolute only and favorite customer. I won't use anyone but pool shed.” — Google review
Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings
The Best Pool & Spa Services in South Portland, ME
We graded 7 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
97%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.81★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
2.1%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
From 4,639 Google reviews of 35 top-rated pool & spa services nationwide; 7 of them in South Portland, ME. Updated October 28, 2026.
Find the right company for your job
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of pool & spa services).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Merit Pools of Portland IncSouth Portland, ME | A 86How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%87+60.2Reliability 31%85+26.2Experts Score= 86Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–––– | 4.86 | — |
| 2 | The Pool ShedSouth Portland, ME | B 76How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%83+45.3Reliability 24%73+17.7Value 14%97+13.7Replies to reviews 7%11+0.8Craft & service penalty82−1.8Experts Score= 76Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAF | 4.80 | — |
| 3 |  Namco PoolsSouth Portland, ME | B 75How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%80+50.8Reliability 28%70+19.8Replies to reviews 8%57+4.7Experts Score= 75Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB––AC | 4.48 | — |
| 4 |  Municipal PoolSouth Portland, ME | B 69How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%67+42.6Reliability 28%89+25.1Replies to reviews 8%13+1.1Experts Score= 69Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BA––AF | 4.61 | — |
| 5 |  Christman Pool ServiceSouth Portland, ME | B 68How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%68+43.2Reliability 28%76+21.5Replies to reviews 8%100+8.2Craft & service penalty50−5Experts Score= 68Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBC–AA | 4.51 | — |
| 6 |  Astraea Wellness SpaSouth Portland, ME | B 65How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%74+40.4Reliability 24%66+16Value 14%52+7.4Replies to reviews 7%41+2.9Momentum penalty88−1.2Experts Score= 65Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB–CAC | 4.77 | — |
| 7 |  Dave's Pool Sales & Service, Inc.South Portland, ME | C 44How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%52+33Reliability 28%26+7.3Replies to reviews 8%41+3.4Experts Score= 44Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | CD––AC | 4.46 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Pool & Spa Services in South Portland, ME at a glance
How the 7 pool & spa services we rated in South Portland, ME compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A114%
- Grade B571%
- Grade C114%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up00%
- 4.80–4.89★229%
- 4.60–4.79★229%
- Below 4.60★343%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality15222%
- Professionalism17526%
- Responsiveness14622%
- Punctuality9814%
- Value10816%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price21131%
- Reasonable43764%
- Overpriced183%
- Not sure122%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
2025
2026
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 7 best-rated pool & spa services in South Portland, ME average 4.7★ on Google across 534 reviews. Merit Pools of Portland Inc has the top rating (4.9★), and Namco Pools has the most reviews (205). Updated October 28, 2026.
7 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (534 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
#2
Astraea Wellness Spa
“I had a really nice experience at this spa. The place was clean and relaxing, and the staff made me feel comfortable from the moment I arrived. My treatment was enjoyable and helped me unwind after a long week.…” — Google review
#3
Merit Pools of Portland Inc
“They were so helpful when I needed advice for my pool and had everything in stock that I needed! They were so nice and knowledgeable!” — Google review
#4
Namco Pools
“They have been nothing but amazing and very helpful at every turn. Honest and good people. From questions about pool pump PVC fittings, to testing water in the store, and all of the accessories. They have helped us…” — Google review
#5
Municipal Pool
“Awesome community center, clean and very warm showers, nice falicities and the two ladies at the front desk were the nicest ever” — Google review
#6
Christman Pool Service
“Not many times do you run into a company with top notch leadership and customer service. Cliff and his team provide phenomenal customer service and experience to help with any pool service needs.” — Google review
#7
Dave's Pool Sales & Service, Inc.
“My interactions with Ben and Samantha have always been outstanding. They are professional, organized, patient, and love their craft. Don't hesitate to hire them!” — Google review
How we pick pool & spa services in South Portland
We scan Google Maps for pool & spa service listings in and around South Portland, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-rated pool & spa service in South Portland?
Merit Pools of Portland Inc has the highest Google rating on our South Portland list: 4.9 out of 5 from 21 reviews (as of October 28, 2026).
Which pool & spa service in South Portland has the most reviews?
Namco Pools has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 205, with a 4.5★ average.
How are these pool & spa services chosen?
Only open South Portland-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.