Who owns the business?
Is the company a local, regional or national company?
What is your position in the company and how long have you been
employed at this particular company?
These are tough questions but absolutely critical in selecting the right builder. It is real important to understand the dynamics of your potential pool builder. A national company may feel more secure considering their volume and structure. The downside is that you are generally just another number and the service is not always personal. Many large companies are not as flexible in modifying the project to your particular needs as they have a lot of guidelines. Turnover is generally high compared to smaller businesses. A lot of people like to do business with the owner of a particular business to have a direct line to the decision maker with little or no red tape. Also, your salesperson should be someone that will be there before, during and after the construction of the pool. If the salesperson has only been with the company for a short period of time this should bring up red flags as they may not be there if you have a problem. There could be a discrepancy that only the salesperson can verify and now he no longer works for this company. The bottom line is whether they are a large company or small… treat each candidate as job applicants.
How long have you been in business?
Pool companies that have been around a long time usually have a good reputation. Always ask for references. And if they have any pools under construction in the area, ask if you can visit the site and talk to the homeowner about their experience so far. Also make sure they are not involved with any pending legal disputes.
Have you been in business under any other names?
If they have, that could be a red flag that they changed their name because of bad reputation or BBB marks. Be cautious of this builder. Hire only licensed contractors. Most states require licensing, so don’t be afraid to ask contractors for their contractor license information. Check your state’s website for licensing requirements. You will have to call the commission directly at 410-230-6231 and request information about any complaints contractor and if the complaints have been resolved.
In Maryland:
Better Business Bureaus- http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=113&id=46a6a9cd-5402-454e-9476-e4df22e6f371
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/pools.html
How much and what types of insurance do you have in place?
You will want to make sure that any damage that occurs during installation – to property or people – is covered. Also, you may want to ask if the contractor is willing to issue a certificate of accord which also insures YOU – the homeowner is covered on the contractor’s policy. Also, make sure that the contractor has a minimum of $2M insurance, anything less would be unacceptable.
Are your warranties spelled out in writing?
If they aren’t, beware. Get a copy of the warranty and familiarize yourself with the exclusions and coverage. One of the things to specifically check for is “Acts of God” coverage that covers things out of your control, such as storm damage. Do not do business with any contractor that does not take responsibility for storm damage.
Do you provide service after completion?
This is important because there will be times you have questions regarding maintenance, and times you will need your pool serviced. You need a good local contact that can help you. The pool company you choose should stand by their service and their service team. They should have their own dedicated service team and not “subcontractors”.
Who applies for and obtains the permits?
Your potential pool builder should take care of all permits. There are several regulations when building a pool and if the permits are not in order it can be costly. Sometimes the local municipalities will force homeowners to abate portions of their project in order to inspect items. Who pays for this? Why even take the risk? Make your pool builder include this in their package.
On your last 5 projects, did any project have cost over runs and why?
It is important to know what you will finish the project according to the agreed upon price. All projects have surprises and these surprises should not have to come at your expense. In the beginning, it is important to discuss any and all possibilities upfront. Many times, you can get the pool contractor to agree to assume the risk of these unknowns should they occur. The contractor may be eager to earn your business and include these items for free. Ask for these specific references AFTER you ask about the cost over runs. Take notes and then call the references and ask about the over runs and this way you can see if your potential builder is credible.
