Selecting a Pool Builder

What to look for and ask when searching for a qualified pool builder or contractor.

1. Via our direct link to the N.C.L.B., please enter the name of the pool company or the name of the individual you are considering to be your pool builder. Make sure they're licensed & reputable in North Carolina.

2. Decide what is important to you and prioritize your requirements on a list and share the list with your potential pool builders. Include anything from quality concerns, reputation, specific features, budget, design, etc.

3. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Ask about anything that concerns you no matter how dumb you think it is!

4. The relationship and chemistry between you and the company's representative has to be comfortable. Go with your gut instinct on this one! Take the time to see their work first hand and talk to their customers from present & past. (This is extremely inportant!) Visit sites that are under construction and talk with the homeowners. Are you taking with a sales rep or a company owner?

5. Ask about timelines and payment schedules. Keep in mind there may be home owners associations that will require plan submittles prior to starting your project.

6. How does their website look? Are the photos in their gallery local pools that they actually built? (In many cases the answer is NO!)

7. Do they advertise price as a priority and run un-realistic pricing? Also known as the "bait and switch" tactic.

8. How long have they been in the industry individually, not collectively?

9. Some companies portray a large national company, however they may be a locally owned franchise with no real corporate support or backing!

10. How is theire long term service and quality record?

11. Communication is KING! There should be a clear and consistent line of communication throughout the pool bulding process. Lack in communication should be a huge red flag! On the other hand, talking to too many pool builders can be counter productive and confusing.

These tips should help you in your quest to find the right pool builder! Keep in mind that some pool builders try to confuse you and make it hard to compare apples to apples. Be deliberate and insistent about what you want, how you want the proposal formatted and what the proposal should include.

Good luck with your selection process, I hope to hear from you.