How should I search for and choose the right contractor?


By Referral
The best way to find a contractor is by referral from friends, neighbors or associates who have experience with a builder.  If there is no one you can call on for referrals, be sure to ask all contractors you are considering to provide you with a list of recent customers.  Although it is unlikely that a contractor will send you to an unhappy customer, there is still a lot to be learned from talking to someone who has been through the experience of installing a pool. It is important to find out how the contractor you are considering conducts business and relates to his customers.  Here are twelve questions you might want to ask:
  1. How long did it take to complete the project, and was it a reasonable amount of time (all things considered)?
  2. Did the builder schedule a pre-construction meeting with you prior to beginning the work, to educate you on the process?
  3. If a pre-construction meeting was held, did it include someone other than just the sales representative (for instance, the construction supervisor and/or area manager)?
  4. Did the builder complete the project at the price agreed upon?
  5. Were there any extra costs you didn't agree upon or request?
  6. Were any changes incorporated into a written “Change-Order” that included a description of the changes and costs?
  7. Did you receive everything that was promised in the contract?
  8. Was there good communication between you and the job supervisor?
  9. Did the builder return your calls promptly?
  10. Were you kept informed of scheduled work, inspections and/or delays?
  11. Was a meeting held prior to completion in order to resolve any questions or complete an Items of Concern list?
  12. Were you satisfied with the results when the project was finished?

By License
In addition to checking customer references, you should be certain that the builder is properly licensed.  In California, any contracting job (including swimming pool construction or repair) that costs $500 or more must be performed by a contractor who holds a valid Contractors License.  The license must be in the specialty of the work to be performed.  In other words, a landscape contractor cannot build a swimming pool unless he hires a licensed swimming pool contractor. Likewise, a general building contractor cannot build a swimming pool unless he contracts with a swimming pool contractor or has a current specialty swimming pool license. In California, the swimming pool specialty classification is "C-53."

In addition, a contractors license number is indicative of the time that the contractor received his license.  As an example, a State of California swimming pool contractors license number should look like this: Lic. #258953 – C53.  License numbers that begin with 1 or 2 have been in business longer than those that begin with 3, 4 or 5.  Generally speaking, it is wise to choose a contractor who has been in business for a long time.  A company that has been in business for at least 20 years has usually worked through the good and the bad times and has more financial stability.  Longevity is important to help assure that the builder will still be around if warranty work is needed.  Anyone can promise a lifetime guarantee, but be sure they will be available when they are needed.

Most swimming pool contractors have sales or design representatives who will provide you with the information you require.  This salesperson must also have a license or Home Improvement Sales Registration card issued by the State of California .  The state protects you, the homeowner, by pre-screening applicants for any prior “problems” before issuing a registration card.  Any sales representative should be ready and willing to present his registration when asked.