How to choose a pool builder

Most people don’t buy more than one pool during their lifetime. As with any one-time purchase, it can be hard to know what to ask when looking for a builder.

Here are five questions we recommend you ask before you choose your pool builder.

1. How long have you been in business?

Let’s face it, you don’t want your pool built by someone who’s only been doing it for six months. In general, the more experience the better. If you can find someone that’s been building pools for more than a decade, the chance of getting quality work goes way up.

Personally, I worked for another pool company for twelve years before I started Pristine Pools back in 2011. I owe a lot of my skill to spending plenty of time learning from others who are top in their field.

2. What ongoing education do you do?

Find out where your pool builder purchases supplies and then see how often they go to the supplier’s classes or the last time they went to a workshop.

My crew and I attend classes, training, and workshops on a regular basis. Three of the major suppliers we use are Zodiac, Carecraft, and Paramount. All three offer continuing education, and we take advantage of it. We believe that staying up to date on the industry is essential.

Incidentally, sometimes formal education like college can make a difference, too. Find out if your pool builder has a formal education in a related subject. My formal education included architecture and landscaping.

3. What is your process for building a pool?

The last thing you want during the process is unexpected surprises or delays. If your pool builder doesn’t have a well-defined process or can’t explain it well to you, then it’s time to look elsewhere.

Our process looks like this: First, I come out to meet with you, discuss your options, and check the ground. Then we have the city check under the ground. Next, we make a 3D version of your pool on our computer and spray paint an outline on the ground where it will actually go.

After that, we start the excavation process, form the shell, then spray the concrete sides. Once it sets, we plaster then tile your pool. Then we set up all the equipment and teach you how everything works.

4. Can you provide ongoing pool maintenance?

Some people prefer to take care of their own pool maintenance. But if you like to be more hands off, find out if your pool builder can provide ongoing maintenance. In general, if they can, they’ll be a good choice for it.

We do offer pool maintenance as a separate service. Once we’re done building the pool, the warranty period begins, and we’ll provide any service covered by the warranty within that period of time. But if you’d also like to be hands off with more general pool maintenance, we can provide weekly pool service.

5. Do you provide a warranty?

Make sure your choice of builder supplies a structural warranty on the shell of the pool. Make sure equipment has at least two to three years of warranty. In addition, make sure that the company has general liability and workers comp to protect the owners company. Pristine Pools provides all three.

Other questions to ask

Other questions you might consider asking include:

• What certifications do you have?
• How long should the process take?
• How can you determine the best kind of pool for me?
• How involved do I have to be in the process?

If your pool builder isn’t ready with answers to these questions or you don’t like the answers, it’s time to look elsewhere.