Who you gonna call for pool repairs or renovations?

You’ve been told for any large “home” project to get more than one bid. When considering a “pool” project you may want to do the same. But, basing your decision on the price only can be a mistake. Avoid nightmare situations by considering some of the following:

1. Check with the Better Business Bureau

Sometimes, the best place to start is with the Better Business Bureau. You are obviously going to check here before you hire a pool contractor, so why not use them to find a pool contractor, too. In fact, it makes sense to start with the BBB. Why even receive estimates from a contractor who has a poor rating – or worse, one that isn’t even listed?

2. Use social media

Many pool contractors have a presence on social media sites like Facebook, Houzz, or Pinterest. Browsing Social Media accounts can give you insight into what types of renovations and services the company is capable of, the quality of their work and of course, how they interact with customers. Of course, if you can connect directly with pool owners in your area through social networks, group pages and forums such as NextDoor, you will be able to complete both recommendations 2 and 3.

3. Talk to people who have pools

Yes in the age of the internet, talking to people face-to-face can prove to be beneficial when trying to locate your pool contractor. You can find out a lot through conversations with friends, family, neighbors, or even complete strangers who have swimming pools in your area. And what pool owner doesn’t love to talk about their pool?

4. Take advantage of “Find-A-Contractor” websites and reviews

The BBB website is a great place to start but you might not find enough of the type of information you need to narrow down your search. Fortunately, there are other sites that offer pre-screening and/or customer reviews of home improvement and pool contractors. Some of the most popular include:

Any one of these sites might not be enough to help you make a decision, so you might want to check out all of them. Stick to the websites that are most commonly known for their reputation and ability to refer good contractors to you.

5. Check out the Company website

No matter what source you use to locate pool contractors for bids, be sure to view their company website. The website will give insight into the company you may do business with.

It is my hope that this information will assist you in making the right decision about who deserves your business.

Herschel Forester

ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company of Dallas