A swimming pool is a big investment, the largest that many homeowners make aside from the purchase of their home. Before trusting someone with your budget and backyard, put them through a kind of test to ensure they are trustworthy and experienced. There are many different qualities you may be looking for in a pool builder, but these are 5 questions that every homeowner needs to ask before choosing their pool builder.
1. Do They Have Insurance?
When you decide to have a pool installed at your home, you have to be aware that things can go wrong. What most people forget is that building a pool is a large construction project. Just like any other construction project water lines can be ruptured, power lines can be cut, and various other issues could pop up. A quality pool builder should be able to minimize these issues, but it is reassuring to know that your pool contractor is properly insured if something does happen. Be sure to check if they have general liability as well. This is important because should a subcontractor get hurt while building your pool, you won’t be held responsible.
2. Do They Have Good Customer Reviews?
It goes without saying that you should always do research before any major purchase decision. After all, if you’re spending hundreds and thousands of dollars, so why shouldn’t you have the best of the best? A great way to start is to do a quick Google search for pool builders in your area. Many businesses encourage people to leave reviews through Google. Here you can see raw, unscripted reviews of products and services. Another great place to check is their social media pages, such as Facebook. Many social media sites allow reviews for a business. If none of this works, rely on the oldest and most traditional form of advertising: word of mouth. Ask your friends, neighbors, doctors, and anyone else who may have a pool where they went and what they thought of their experience.
3. Have They Won Any Industry or Local Awards?
Has your potential pool builder been recognized for their work by the pool industry or the local community? If so, then these could play an important role in your decision. Ask them if they have any involvement in an industry association or a local group. If they’re involved in an industry group, this is a good sign that they’re keeping up with the latest pool industry changes, trends, and technology. If they’re involved in a local group, this is a good sign that they care about what’s going on in the community surrounding them. They don’t just want customers to come in the door to make a quick buck; they want to improve things for everyone.
4. How Much Experience Do They Have?
When it comes to building a new swimming pool, there is nothing that matters more than the amount of experience the pool builder has. However, don’t be thrown off by the amount of time that the business has been in operation. There are many pool builders that have experience with the pool industry from years of working with pools for another company or with their family. Experience allows the pool builder to be prepared for any potential problems that could arise.
5. Do They Pay Attention to Detail?
A quality pool builder must be willing to listen to the customer, deliver what the customer desires, and work within the confines of the proposed budget. If they’re not willing to listen to you, then that is a major red flag. Customer service and experience should always be top of a mind for any company that delivers a product or service. If this is not the case, then you need to start running in the other direction.
This is not only an investment in your home but also in your life. Pool owners can experience years of enjoyment and thousands of new memories. Building a pool should not be something you dread, but something that excites you.