If your neighbors don’t have pools and you’re starting cold with a list from a phonebook, there are still ways to find out about the builder. The first thing you can do is schedule an estimate to talk with him. Is he on time? If he’s not on time for a potentially large sale, he’s not going to be on time once you’ve already signed a contract. Is he easy to talk to, and is he listening to your ideas? Can he offer helpful suggestions you may not have thought of?
Ask for a list of references, preferably a mix of customers. One on the list should have a pool like the one you’re interested in. One should be a recent customer, and one should have been a customer years ago. This is important to find out if the materials and workmanship have held up well and if they’re still happy with the service. Here are some questions you should ask the references:
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- How did the builder’s time and budget estimate compare with the actual work? Did the completed pool look exactly like they discussed, or did the builder take shortcuts or use “artistic license”? If you’re the type of person who wants things done exactly like they want it within a reasonable amount of time of what you were quoted, this is an important question.
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- Is the builder detail-oriented? Did he leave a mess of stucco on the patio, or did he finish the job cleanly? Is the tile in the pool straight and attractive? If he cut corners on the aesthetic work, chances are he cut corners on the quality of the pool in general.
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- Did the builder thoroughly discuss care and maintenance of the pool? Is he readily available for questions concerning maintenance? A pool is a large investment, and it’s obvious you want to keep it in the best condition possible. Like a nervous new parent, it’s important to be able to ask questions of the expert if something doesn’t seem perfect.
Building a pool, from the design phase to finding the right builder for you to maintaining it for a lifetime, is certainly challenging. However, I don’t think there are many more rewarding challenges you face. When the last worker has left, you’ve completed the landscape around the pool and can sit back with a frozen drink, you can relax and enjoy your pool. Take a sip for a job well done, and know that by doing your homework you’ve made sure your family got a well-built pool.
