How To Choose An Inground Swimming Pool Builder

17 Nov How To Choose An Inground Swimming Pool Builder

6 Things to Look for Before Hiring a Company to Install Your Pool 

From Pool FYI

Let’s face it, you are most likely very knowledgeable in your chosen field.  You spent years learning your field of expertise, and probably are quite confident that you know enough to be considered an expert.  You have reached a certain level of success, and you have decided to reward your family with a new inground swimming pool.  It is also probably safe to say that you are most certainly not an expert in the inground swimming pool design and construction field. Swimming pools are complicated projects, involving many different construction trades and disciplines.  How to you approach the process of choosing an expert to not only deliver the finished product, but to hold your hand and ensure you that you are with the most professional, quality designer and builder possible?  This post from Pool FYI gives you six things to use when you are vetting your swimming pool company, to give you the confidence that you will be in good hands through this potentially confusing process.

Here is an excerpt from the post:

1. Choose a contractor with a valid contractor’s license. For swimming pools, this may be a general contractor’s license with a swimming pool endorsement or a swimming pool contractor’s license. You can go to your state’s building license office and inquire about the company (assets of a company qualify for licensing) or the individual (personal assets used for qualification). Usually when a company name is the contractor, it has a qualifier and is a larger company that’s been in business for a longer period of time. In our fragile economy where businesses fail every day, it’s imperative to use a licensed contractor — regardless of whether the total of items purchased (pool, deck, etc., from one company) are $30,000 or above. (This amount may vary from state to state.) The reason for this is that if the contractor goes out of business during your pool installation or runs into problems above their expertise (such as ground water) and leaves you with a large hole in your backyard, you can turn to the Homeowners’ Recovery Fund — if you have signed with a licensed contractor. If you did not, then it is up to you, your money and your lawyer regarding whether they have any assets to levy against.

2. Check to see if they belong to their trade organization. Belonging to a trade organization often comes with a set of ethics by which you must abide. Reporting of problems to the trade organization will bring harsh actions against a company. A respectful company has a set of ethics, regardless, and does not transgress them. Members of a trade organization are also more likely to have up-to-date information regarding their trade. With new technology in pool treatment and energy efficiency, your professional pool installer will know how to save you money — and work. The old way may not be the best way anymore. Trade members will also be updated on codes, both locally and nationally. This could save many headaches with approvals and building inspections.

3. Check the Better Business Bureau listing. Be sure to look at the volume of business the company you’re considering does in relation to the number of complaints. Are the complaints of administrative nature (billing) or regarding a repair or an actual installation? Large companies will, more than likely, have more administrative or scheduling conflicts. Did the company try to resolve the problem? 

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