TIPS FOR HIRING A POOL/SPA CONTRACTOR

Checklist

• Talk to a minimum of three contractors about your project. Look for firms that have been in the pool and spa building industry for at least five years.

• Always check past and prior financial status of potential contractor. Many pool builders are here one day and gone the next.

• Never allow a builder to rush you into signing a contract, and never sign a contract that you don’t understand. Don’t be embarrassed to take a few days to study a document before you sign it. Ask questions, questions, and more questions.

• Always make sure that a contractor is insured and licensed. Ask to see insurance certificates for both general liability and workers compensation, and a license in the name of the individual building your pool or spa. Call the insurance companies and State of Michigan’s contractor’s board to confirm validity, (517) 241-9254.

• Have a prepared pool/spa plan and materials list drawn up and take bids on each.

• Always check credentials and talk to references, especially the firms’ three most recent clients.

• Ask to see a job being currently installed.

• Questions to ask include: Did the builder start and finish on time? Were there any surprises during the job-such as a change in price? Was it easy to get in touch with the contractor while the construction was in progress? Would you hire this contractor again?

• Does the contractor have a place to view pools and all the equipment that they sell? It is always best to visit the contractor’s place of business before you buy!

• Remember that the lowest bid is not always the best. Take a critical look at all bids, estimates and offers-and make sure you get them in writing.

• Contact the firm’s primary material supplier to ask if the contractor pays bills on time and whether the supplier would recommend the firm.

• Never pay more than ten percent of the estimate as a down payment.

• Never pay a contractor in cash. Use cashier’s checks or money orders and get a receipt.

• Is your pool builder a member of the National Spa-N-Pool Institute and Better Business Bureau?

• Never make your final payment until you completely understand how your pool/spa and related equipment operate.

• Remember, the more time you spend planning your pool/spa project and checking out the credentials of your contractor, the less time you’ll spend complaining later.

 

Swimming pool contractors

 

Out of all the swimming pool contractors working in Michigan, we here at Midwest Fiberglass Pool Distributors, Inc., are thrilled to be ranked number one. We take our top-ranked status seriously. Instead of feeling like we can now rest on our laurels, being number one makes us want to work even harder for you.

We have some suggestions for picking a great contractor, and the first piece of advice may surprise you: We suggest you talk to at least three different swimming pool contractors before settling on one. Yes, we’re encouraging you to talk to the competition. We know that some of our competitors will try to woo you by offering slightly lower prices than we do. Keep in mind, however, that the lowest price is often not the best value. The best value comes from those swimming pool contractors who can get the job done the right way, on time, with no hidden costs, and no legal headaches.

 

Reliable Swimming Pool Contractors

 

Before choosing a contractor, you’ll want to ask for references. You’ll especially want references from very recent jobs, and may even want to see a site that is currently built. You’ll also want to talk to the contractor’s sub-contractors. If your contractor runs out of money before he can pay the sub-contractors who helped build your pool, the sub-contractors can put a lien on your house. It’s surprising, but true. Don’t let your wise decision to install an in-ground pool turn into the biggest legal headache of your life!

 

You’ll also want proof that your contractor is insured and licensed. Don’t take his word for it – ask to see the license and insurance certificates. Don’t feel embarrassed about making demands like these of a contractor. It’s so much better to be a little uptight about choosing the contractor than it is to suffer property damage or legal headaches at the hands of a crummy contractor.