Choosing a Swimming Pool Builder

Installing a swimming pool in your backyard can bring enjoyment to your family and also add value to your home if you hire the right pool builder. Although having a swimming pool can benefit your home in many ways, a new swimming pool can quickly turn from a dream into a nightmare if you hire the wrong contractor to build it. There is a chance that you may run across unethical, incompetent, inexperienced or downright crooked pool builders out there. Fortunately, you can tell the good pool builders from the bad by doing a little homework before starting your pool project.

The initial thing you ought to do is check the contractor out before hiring them. The best way to do this is to ask for references, the names of former customers that you can talk to. Call the references and ask what kind of job the contractor did and if the pool met their requirements and if they were happy with the whole process. If a pool builder doesn’t provide references, that’s a guaranteed sign they’re inexperienced or that the references don’t have anything good to say about them.

Another great investigation tool is the Better Business Bureau. Call or e-mail your local BBB and ask if they’ve gotten any complaints about that contractor. Word of mouth is another indicator ask people in your community if they’ve heard of the builder and what they’ve heard about the builder. Bad reputations and horror stories about lousy contractors travel fast. Always ask if the contractor has worked under another name, if they have that’s a sign of a bad reputation.

Always hire a contractor that’s licensed and bonded. Bonding is more important that licensing it means that the contractor has insurance that will pay to complete the job or fix any damage they do. Always ask to see a contractor’s bonding and insurance. If a contractor isn’t bonded don’t hire them that means they aren’t insured. Remember licensing doesn’t guarantee that a contractor knows what he’s doing.

Never hire a pool builder that doesn’t put warranties and service contracts in writing. If there’s no written warranty, the contractor is under no obligation to return and fix problems with the pool. Get a written warranty and service contract before work begins. Don’t hire a pool builder who doesn’t provide service after completion.

Pool building is a messy business so don’t hire a pool builder that doesn’t sign a written contract obligating them to clean up the mess they make on your property. If you have a written contract, you can sue the contractor for breach of contract and collect damages if they break it.

Find out what permits and licenses your local government requires for swimming pool construction and make sure the contractor gets them before construction begins. Make sure the documents you receive are legit as the authorities can stop construction or make you tear out a pool if you don’t have a legal permit.

Tagged as: pool, swimming