Questions to Ask a Swimming Pool Contractor

Insurance

• It is vital that you know as much as possible about insurance coverage before entering an agreement with a pool contractor. How much coverage does the potential contractor have? What types of insurance are included? What is not covered? Who is responsible for the cost of any damage done to your house or your neighbor's property? Does the contractor have any worker's compensation coverage in case of injury to their employees during installation of your pool? If an accident occurs, you'll be glad you armed yourself with as much information as you could regarding insurance coverage.

Equipment

• What kinds of equipment are going to be installed? What is the estimated cost of the equipment? Does the contractor use name brand or generic equipment? What type of warranty is included?

History

• How long has the company you're considering been in business? Taking a chance on a new company may save money, but it could be disastrous if things go wrong. Finding a well-established company with a good reputation is worth the cost.

Testimonials

• Has anyone in your area used this company before? Are you allowed to speak to the company's previous customers? Any company without happy customers is a company you want to stay away from.

Examples

• Has the contractor completed similar jobs in your area? Are you allowed to look at those installations to inspect the quality of their work? Ask for examples of pools that are close in type, size and shape. While each individual job has its own challenges, getting a sense of the quality of work this company has done in the past on jobs like yours can give you peace of mind in knowing that yours will be done right.

Permits

• Will you need to pull the permits for the installation, or is this something the contractor handles for you? If you need to do it yourself, do so as soon as possible. Permits sometimes take a while, and you don't want anything to delay your pool installation. If the contractor is responsible for the permits, find out when he anticipates this being completed.

  It's important to protect your property and your pocketbook when installing a pool. Ask these questions to make sure your experience with hiring a pool contractor is a positive one.