It surely seems like a dream come true, but there are some tales of caution from others who have already gone through the process of having a swimming pool built on their premises at home.

At the top of the list of complaints are shoddy workmanship, bad customer service, and poor communication. Thus, you as a homeowner should always do your homework prior to hiring a contractor.

 

Question the lowest bid

During the previous recession, the pool building business was troubled. Even top-notch pool builders found it difficult or impossible to sustain their business. However, prior to the recession, people were not nearly as selective in whom they hired to construct their pool. They were often willing to take a risk on the cheapest price, which in turn meant that very many of them were burned.

The key here is, don’t necessarily gravitate to the lowest bid on your pool’s construction and upkeep. Ask questions as to why.

 

You get what you pay for

Given that a swimming pool represents a thoroughly sizable investment, homeowners are frequently drawn in to accepting the lowest bid on the work. And that is something that most experts in the trade would caution against.

As it happens, in the pool construction industry, you truly do get what it is you pay for. Avoid hiring solely based on the most affordable bid. The precise cost for a pool’s construction is dependent on a handful of factors:

-          Location

-          Type

-          Size

-          Amenities

Typically, in this day and age, the starting price will be around $20,000.

It’s recommended that the homeowner generates a payment plan together with their contractor. This way, as each phase of construction is completed, payment is made. As a deposit, it’s advisable to pay no more than a third of the full cost, and tie the scheduled payments closely to job progress.

 

Operating without a license

One way to ensure a smooth workflow when having a pool built is continual communication. Thus, if something does go wrong during construction, the company must tell their client immediately. By way of regular communication, it can save on many a problem.

Another issue in this industry is the sheer lack of regulation. There are only three states – California – where you’ll find Infinity Pools - Connecticut, and Florida, that call for a trade license, though others, including local municipalities, do call for a general contractor’s license, and that must be registered prior to gaining a business permit.

So, even where licensure is not a prerequisite, the customer should verify that the company is insured and bonded. Avoid the risk of employing any company that is not.