Pool Builders

Once you have made the decision to get a pool, you suddenly realize that you are faced with several new decisions: What do I want, who do I buy it from, and who so I have install it for me? There are probably many pool builders in your area, and picking the best pool builder is a critical factor in the long term enjoyment of your pool. There are plenty of horror stories out there about pool installations gone bad, and while these are the exception rather than the rule, you should follow some basic steps to protect yourself from becoming one of them.

This article will discuss the ins and outs of working with swimming pool contractors, and the steps you should take to insure that you have a successful relationship. Doing the homework up front helps insure a long and loving relationship with your pool.

One of the biggest risks is making sure you know what you really want, and that you can communicate that effectively to the swimming pool builders you consider for the job. The best way to address this is to go look at some pools! Visit any friends that you know that may have one. Take pictures. Take notes on what you see. Visit the showrooms of several contractors. Have them show you different options. Take more notes. Bring home brochures.

Think about where you want to place the swimming pool, too. This can make a big difference. Before you let any pool builder break ground on the work to build your pool, make sure the ground where you want to place it is tested to insure that it is suitable for installing a swimming pool. Note that sometimes these tests reveal that the ground is not sufficiently stable, and its better to find this out before you are committed to putting a pool in the ground.

Once you have picked out the type of pool you want and where you want it, you are ready to engage in serious discussions with swimming pool builders. Here is a checklist of things to do and look for:

1. If you have friends who have had a swimming pool installed, find out about their experiences. If they had a good experience with their builders, consider interviewing them for the job. The great thing about these types of referrals is that you can often learn more about the experience from your friends that you can from others. You can buy them lunch and ask them a ton of questions!

2. Plan on talking to at least 3 pool builders. One of the best way to learn the difference between contractors is to interview several.

3. Visit the pool builder at their show room. In addition to seeing where and how they work, you can also see more examples of pools that may help you refine your ideas on what you want.

4. Find out how long they have been in business. While longevity does not guarantee quality, swimming pool builders that have been in business for many years should be able to offer plenty of references, and checking on their track record should be easier.

5. Make sure your prospective pool builder is licensed in your state. Get a copy of their license number. Making sure your contractor is licensed is important because it provides you with an agency to complain to if something goes wrong. Also, some states provide you with additional rights to recover lost expenditures if the job goes bad. Check with your state licensing agency for details on your rights, and see if your prospective builder has an unusual number of complaints against them while you are at it.

6. In addition to the state licensing board, find out what the pool builder's record is with the Better Business Bureau in your area. Make sure that they have a satisfactory rating from the BBB.

7. Make sure your prospective pool builder has a certified service professional (CSP) on staff. CSPs are professionals who have been certified by the National Spa & Pool Institute, which means that they have completed training with NSPI, and have completed rigorous tests that ensures their competence at their job. Retaining a CSP designation also requires the certified person to take continuing education courses, and retake the certification exams on a regular basis. This helps that they are kept abreast of the latest developments in swimming pool installation and maintenance technologies.

8. Have the pool builder provide you with references from other customers. Contact the references and ask them about their experience with their builder, before, during, and after the installation. Make sure that one of the references has had their pool for at least 2 years.

9. Have your prospective pool builders provide proof that they have liability and worker's compensation insurance. In addition, make sure that they require all their subcontractors to carry similar insurance. This protects you in the event that something goes wrong during the project and one of the worker's gets hurt. Since the work is being done on your property, you are the one that will be held responsible for an injured worker's compensation, unless your swimming pool builder is properly insured.

10. Understand the payment schedule and price before signing any contract. Be sure that you are not paying too much during the stages of the project. The recommendations for amounts to pay at each stage vary, but here are some guidelines:

No more than $1000 for a down payment
No more than 30% after the pool shell is excavated
No more than 30% more after the plumbing, concrete, and steel have all been applied.
No more than 30% more after the decking has been put in place.
Don't make the final payment until all work is done!

11. Review the contract with your pool builder in detail before signing anything. Have your legal counsel review it to make sure that your interests are protected. Make sure you completely understand how the deal works. Some things to make sure are part of the contract are:

The builder's company name
The builder's license number
The builder's legal address
The date that the agreement is signed.
All payments must be made to the builder's company, not to an individual person
Specify the building materials used. If the contract includes a clause that refers to "equal or better" materials, consider removing it. Using cheaper materials that are supposedly equivalent is a a great way to cut costs, but this is probably not what you want.
A detailed description of the work to be performed, with attached diagrams and drawings.
A well defined process for deciding how changes will be made once work starts. Make sure that changes made must be done in writing. This protects both you and the builder.
The agreed upon purchase price and payment schedule.
The delivery schedule along with penalties for late delivery.
The pool builder should be obligated to obtain lien releases from all their subcontractors. This is a statement by the subcontractor that they have been paid in full, and do not claim that they are due additional amounts of money for their work. Make sure get a copy of these releases. This is important because you could be held liable for any claims that someone was not paid.

12. Before any work begins, make sure all proper building permits are obtained. While the pool builder may do this for you, its the homeowner who is actually held responsible.

13. Think about a payment and insurance bond. This is an insurance policy that protects you in the event that the builder is unable to pay their subcontractors. This type of policy typically costs about 2% to 3% of the pool.

14. Once you have done all this hard work, relax! You will have done the best you can to insure that your swimming pool installation will be completed without a hitch. You will have picked a superior swimming pool builder, and you can begin to think about your plans to enjoy the pool on a hot summer day or evening.