Top 10 Tips For Choosing A Swimming Pool Contractor
- Create a list of candidates. The first step is to get names of companies who are qualified to handle the job. It’s important to get as many qualified potential contractors as possible so you can then compare qualifications and prices and decide who to hire.
- Talk to friends and family. Anyone you know who has had a swimming pool installed on their property is a great source for a potential recommendation. Dealing with someone you know personally adds a great deal of credibility to their opinion about the contractor. The main question to ask is whether your friend or relative would hire the contractor again.
- Look for ads in the phone book. This is another good place to look for names of swimming pool contractors in your general area.
- Research the Internet for contractors. Another good source for swimming pool contractors is the Internet. Look for companies who say they will build a swimming pool in your general area.
- Talk to each of the contractors. Now that you have a list of as many as 5 contractors to consider, it’s time to talk to each of them in person. It’s fine to go to a store the contractor owns or works out of, and even a better idea to have them come to your house so they can see the layout of your yard.
- Ask about credentials and the job at hand. Be sure to ask each of the contractors about their experience in the business and what kind of pool they would recommend for your home. How well you communicate with the contractor is a significant issue, since problems sometimes arise on pool construction jobs. A contractor who seems honest, forthright and has excellent communication skills are all things you can only determine in a face-to-face meeting.
- Get a bid with a time schedule. Ask for a written bid for the job that includes a time schedule for the estimated start and completion of the job. If you haven’t decided on the exact type of pool, ask for bids to cover different pool types.
- Check the contractor’s credentials. Ask each contractor to provide proof that they are licensed and insured. In addition, check with the Better Business Bureau to get an idea on the number of complaints filed against the contractor and how those complaints were handled.
- Ask for references, including the last 3 pools built. Be wary of any contractor who want provide the location of his or her last three jobs. Check with the homeowners on the reference list and for the most recent jobs – which may or may not be included on the reference list. The key question, again, is whether the homeowner would hire the contractor again.
- Consider all factors, including price. If your budget allows, don’t let price be the overriding consideration. Some contractors with solid reputations charge more – that’s merely a fact of being a successful enterprise. Consider experience and whether the contractor is someone you can work with on a daily basis for as much as three months.