Getting a pool put in or redone is expensive, and if you pick the wrong person for the job, you’re in for a bad time. We’re talking thousands of dollars and something that’s going to be in your backyard permanently. So you need to figure out who actually knows what they’re doing instead of just whoever sounds convincing. Here’s 5 tips for choosing the right pool contractor that’ll keep you from making dumb mistakes most people make.
1. Check Their Credentials and Experience
Make sure they’re actually allowed to do this work. Ask to see their license and insurance, don’t just believe them when they say they have it. They need liability insurance and worker’s comp because if somebody gets hurt on your property or they break something, that shouldn’t become your financial problem.
How long they’ve been doing pools matters, but it’s not everything. More important is what kind of pools they normally work on.
Look at Their Portfolio
Have them show you photos of finished projects. Most contractors keep pictures of their good work, and if they can’t show you anything, something’s off there. Ask to see projects similar to what you want done. If you want a pool contractor with a reliable portfolio, check out DB Pool & Spa.
Find Out Who’s Actually Doing the Work
Do they have their own crew or do they farm everything out to subcontractors? Companies with their own trained workers usually turn out better quality. When everything gets subbed out to different random people, coordination gets messy and nobody’s really in charge of making sure it’s done right.
2. Read Reviews and Get References
Online reviews help but you gotta actually read them, not just glance at the rating. Check Google, Yelp, Facebook, wherever. Read what people wrote, especially the complaints. See how the contractor responded when someone wasn’t happy.
Call Those References
Pick up the phone and talk to those people. Ask them straight up how it went. Did the job finish on time? Were there surprise charges? When problems came up, how’d the contractor deal with it? People usually tell you the truth when you just ask them directly about their experience.
Visit Completed Jobs If Possible
If you’re checking out Pool contractor Miami options or wherever you live, drive past some jobs they finished if that’s possible. Seeing the real thing beats looking at photos they picked out to show you. You notice quality problems in person that don’t show up in carefully selected pictures.
3. Compare Multiple Quotes (But Don’t Just Pick the Cheapest)
Get quotes from at least three different contractors, maybe more. This way you know what the going rate actually is and you can tell if someone’s trying to rip you off or if their price is suspiciously low. Make sure when you’re comparing prices that everyone’s quoting the same work, same materials, same features, everything.
Why the Cheapest Bid Usually Backfires
When someone’s bidding way lower than everyone else, they’re cutting corners somewhere guaranteed. Could be they’re planning to use garbage materials, or they left stuff out that actually needs doing, or maybe they just don’t know how to price a job. Then halfway through there’s all these extra charges.
What to Actually Look For in a Quote
Don’t just grab the cheapest quote. Also don’t assume the most expensive one is automatically the best. Look at what you’re actually getting for the money. What materials are they using? What’s included in the price? How long will it take? What’s the payment schedule look like? A quote that spells everything out shows they actually thought about your specific project.
4. Understand Their Process and Timeline
Before you sign papers, you better understand how this whole thing works. Make them explain the process from start to finish. When do they actually start working? How many weeks or months will this take? What if it rains for a week straight, does that push everything back? Who deals with getting the permits and inspections?
Get a Realistic Timeline
Contractors who’ve done a bunch of pools can give you a timeline that makes sense. If someone’s promising to finish super quick, that’s sketchy, good work takes time, you can’t rush it.
Know How They Handle Problems
Find out what happens when issues pop up, because they will. Something unexpected always happens with construction. Do they have a plan for dealing with surprises or do they just wing it? What if you decide you want to change something halfway through, will they charge you crazy fees for every little modification?
If you need Pool Renovation work or you’re starting from scratch, knowing all this upfront saves you headaches later.
5. Look at Their Warranty and After-Service Support
This part’s important but everyone forgets to ask about it until something breaks. Don’t just accept “we warranty our work” as an answer. What exactly does the warranty cover? How long does it last for different parts of the job? What makes the warranty void? Some warranties sound amazing until you read the details and realize they barely cover anything useful.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Choosing the right swimming pool contractor isn’t something you want to rush through. Take your time with this decision, ask as many questions as you need to, and trust your gut feeling about people. This is where you can trust Deep Blue Pool & Spa, INC because we have been doing this for years in coordination with local people, and the most talented professionals. Call us to get in touch.
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