Choosing the Right Swimming Pool Contractor

By Miriam Kasdan HIPhome Columnist December 31, 1969

So you've decided to take the plunge and install a swimming pool. Before you choose a contractor, however, there are several points to keep in mind.

Hiring a contractor for your swimming pool project is not easy, and is a huge investment of your time and money. As a consumer, you have both rights and responsibilities, including protecting yourself from unscrupulous contractors and illegal activities.

Swimming Pool Contractor Guidelines

Although these guidelines were provided by the State of California, their basic information can apply to residents of any state.

• First of all, make sure the contractor you hire holds a valid contractors license to perform work on swimming pools. This should include passing a written test, holding journey-level experience in their trade, and showing proof of worker's compensation insurance.
• Check the contractor's license number through your state's contractor license board.
• Get three references and follow through to review the contractor's past work. Ask specific questions about satisfaction with the contractor's work, the project schedule, sticking to the contract's terms and costs, and how the contractor dealt with changes, corrections, and any problems that arose.
• Get at least three bids. Get a written contract, but don't sign it until you understand all its terms.
• Don't let your payments get ahead of the work. Don't make the final payment until the final phase of swimming pool construction has been completed.
• Don't pay cash.
• Keep a file of all the papers related to this project. If anything goes wrong, you'll have a paper trail.

Following these guidelines will help you choose the best-qualified contractor to build your new swimming pool. Once it's completed, you can dive in and enjoy its refreshing benefits.

Source

• Before You Dive into Swimming Pool Construction - California Contractors State License Board

About the Author
Miriam Kasdan has been writing and editing marketing and technical materials for almost 20 years and specializes in home improvement features. Miriam earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley.


*Before you apply any of the advice described on the Hip-home.com website, you should consider if the advice is safe and suitable for your individual home situation and consult experts as necessary to evaluate the suitability for your circumstances.