Finding the Right Pool Builder

Choosing to build a swimming pool in your backyard is one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner, one that will lead to countless hours of fun and enjoyment. The family memories you’ll make through the years will likely make the price of the pool more than worth it over time.

But before you can begin enjoying the benefits of having a summertime oasis in your backyard, you need to make the all important decision of who will create the area for you.

And this is not a decision you should make lightly. Choosing an inexperienced pool builder simply because he provided the lowest pool quote is not something you really want to do.

Take some time, weigh all your options and then decide what’s best for you and your family.

There are several things to look for when deciding what pool installer to hire for your backyard

project. A local San Antonio custom pool builder from Sanchez Pools gave us these tips.

Ask For And Verify Credentials

This is an important place to start, as it will help to determine whether the company is what it says it is.

If you’ve asked for a quote and are initially interested, plan on visiting the company at its physical location. Meet the owner and the people who will actually be working on your project and take a tour of their showroom, if one is available.

Ask for references, verify licensing and certifications, ascertain how many installs they’ve performed in the last year and have a long conversation with the sales representative, hammering out any and all details.

Then when you do have all the information you need, go home and think about it before making a commitment. This is an important decision and should only be made after careful consideration of all the facts.

Ask About Insurance

You want to be sure that any company you hire to work on your property has the necessary insurance. So ask to see their certificate of insurance, as well as general liability insurance and

worker’s compensation papers, if they’ll be using subcontractors.

This is something the company should have readily available and they shouldn’t hesitate to show it to you. If for some reason that’s not the case, this is an immediate red flag and you should strongly consider finding another contractor.

Check References And Customer Satisfaction

This can be a little tricky because no company is going to provide you with contact information

for a customer who isn’t 100 percent satisfied with the work they had done. Ask those pool owners who might be getting the pool ready for summer who they used for a builder.

Nonetheless, choose a few contacts and give them a ring. Ask about things like when the work was done, what type of pool was installed, whether the crew was personable and professional and if the work was done in a timely manner without any major issues.

One thing to watch out for is the date when the work was actually completed. If the company is only providing you with references of customers from a few years ago, this should make you wonder why.

In addition to the references, also check the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau. This could give you a much bigger picture in relation to the company’s customer service and how it handles complaints.

Trust Your Instincts

Once you’ve done your due diligence and narrowed it down to two or three potential contractors, don’t underestimate the importance of trusting your instincts.

Just watch out for any potential red flags, check references and affiliations and do everything we mentioned above.

But at the end of the day, you want to be working with someone you feel comfortable with. So ignore the high pressure sales pitches and resist any type of bullying behavior, and consider hiring the person you get the best vibe from.

Again, this is only after checking up on them and getting an overall feel for the company. Trusting your instincts definitely has a good deal of merit, but this should only be implemented at the end of the vetting process.