Choosing the right swimming pool company – CHECK REFERENCES!
The fact is you are going live with your swimming pool for a very long time. So if I can offer one piece of advice to you…DO SOME RESEARCH!
The Internet has changed how we gather information. No longer is making a major buying decision about the glossiest brochure or the snazziest showroom. Swimming pool installation is all about EXPERIENCE. Whether you choose gunite, vinyl or fiberglass, it is the EXPERIENCE of the construction company that makes all the difference.
By the time you read this post, you’ve probably decided what type of swimming pool you are going to have installed at your home. You’ve read all the information about the various types of pools available and you have decided that for your family and your budget, you have decided to install a certain type of pool. GOOD! That’s one decision.
Now you need to find the right company for the job. First, check out their website. Is it informative? Are there pictures? Where has this company installed pools? DO THEY PROVIDE REFERENCES!
References are the most important piece of information a pool company can provide. And it is your job to CHECK THEM! If possible, visit some of the references provided, see how the job looks. Talk to the homeowner and ask pointed questions, “If you had to do this all over again, would you still choose this company? What do you know now that you wish you had known then?”
In today’s day and age, anyone can create a website and call themselves Super Duper Pool Company. So it is important to know how many pools they have installed. The three types of in-ground pools all require skill and precision installation. A product that you are going to live with for a very long time should be installed by an expert. EXPERIENCE REALLY MATTERS!
Bottom Line: You should be wary of any company not willing to provide a substantial list of references. A good rule of thumb is that a pool company should have at least 10 – 15 references for every year they have been in business. Another way to find out how their references stack up, ask how many pools they have installed. And then count how many references they are willing to provide.
