How To Choose The Right Pool Builder
Whether you want an above-ground or inground pool, these services should give you peace of mind as you witness your dream pool become a reality.
01/06/2021
Getting a swimming pool isn’t as straightforward as you might think. There’s a lot more to it than digging a big hole and filling it up with water. The pool has to keep the water in and keep it circulating, so you can take a cool dip without worry. And the intricacies would just grow from there.
You’d want to leave the job to a pool builder and their years of experience in their craft. Whether you want an above-ground or inground pool, these services should give you peace of mind as you witness your dream pool become a reality.
Considerations In Picking A Pool Builder
The first step is as important as any: pick the right builder. You’re looking at an investment in the tens of thousands, a sum where every penny must count. A builder with an impressive portfolio will make it so, but how do you determine that? This guide will lead you to the proper steps.
1. Know the Pool You Want
Before you start scouring for referrals, know the kind of pool you want to have. Not only will this point you to the right people, but this will also determine whether or not you need a builder at all. Above-ground pools are the easiest and least costly option, mostly requiring a bit of elbow grease from you and your friends (larger ones may require a builder’s expertise, though).
For inground pools and other ones costing over five figures in Texas, you may want the expertise of a pool builder in Corpus Christi and others near you. The list of things to consider when building one grows longer because of factors like external force, plumbing, and even the weather. Builders may suggest different materials as well such as gunite for pools in humid areas to minimize algae growth.
As a general rule, the more expensive the pool, the more critical hiring a pool builder becomes.
2. Scout for Potential Candidates
With your dream pool much clearer to you now, start scouring the market and the internet for the right builders. Think of this step as a job interview, except you’re the employer and the builder is the applicant. Scrutinize each candidate as much as possible down to the littlest detail.
Most pool builders specialize in above-ground and inground pool construction and maintenance because they’re the most common types. As such, you’ll have plenty of choices, all the more reason to be picky. As a start, ask for the builder’s portfolio of past projects and get testaments from its past customers. A builder refusing to provide references is a red flag and should be avoided.
Your questions for the builder also matter. Here are a few you shouldn’t be afraid to ask:
• Do you have other projects currently ongoing? If yes, how many?
• Do you have the proper certification to build and maintain pools?
• Do you carry insurance for your workers in case of accidents?
• Do you handle getting building permits and other documentation?
• Do you offer support long after the project’s been completed?
3. Open the Bidding War
After narrowing down the list of builders, invite them over to your house to assess the area where the pool will be built. At this stage, you’ll be able to ascertain their expertise in their craft as well as their price. While doing so, always keep in mind the lowest bidder isn’t always the best.
There’s no exact price for installing a pool due to dozens of factors pool builders consider. For example, they might have to make the extra effort to build one close to trees as the overgrowth can wreak havoc on the pool wall and plumbing. It'll cost you extra in the long run, but at least you’ll be able to enjoy a cool dip next to the shade for years to come.
If the cost is a major issue, which is most of the time, reputable builders should offer flexible payment options like loans and instalments. This arrangement also protects you from the risk of the builder leaving the project unfinished. Experts advise withholding paying 10% of the total cost until completion.
Seal the Deal
Signing the contract marks the end of this selection process, but don’t rest on your poolside chair just yet. You should be vigilant in overseeing the project, making decisions cautiously and wisely as you go. As you see your dream pool slowly take shape, you can rest easy at the fact that all scrutiny in choosing the right pool builder hasn’t gone down the drain.