How Do I Know if a Swimming Pool Contractor Is Legitimate?

It's a pleasant pastime to envision your backyard as a private retreat that drips with luxury. The crystal-clear pool water will move just enough in the wind to create a pleasant lapping sound that will call you into its embrace. The sun will warm and dry you as you relax in a lounge chair while your favorite music plays.

It's a beautiful dream that can be brought to life if you have the right people by your side. The beauty of swimming pools is that they can be tailored to your specific lifestyle and preferences, which means they can be an aquatic paradise designed to make lasting memories with those you care about.

As the demand for pools increases, so does the number of uninsured and unlicensed custom pool builders who are looking to make a quick profit at your expense. It's true that these contractors will charge you less for your new pool than some other companies, but the risks and the liabilities aren't worth the financial shortcut.

Risk of Hiring an Unqualified Swimming Pool Construction Company for Your Outdoor Living Space

Achieving your dream pool is a worthy endeavor, but it is so important to work with people who are licensed, qualified, and professional. Here are some of the risks of hiring an unqualified company for your pool project:

Financial and Legal Liabilities

If your chosen company doesn't have insurance, any accident or damage that occurs during the construction of your backyard pool is entirely your financial burden to bear. For example, if one of the workers gets injured during your project, you're likely to be liable for their medical expenses and lost wages. Similarly, if your project causes damage to your neighbor's property, you could face hefty repair bills with no assistance from the contractor. All it takes is a broken sewer line to set you back significantly.

Scenario-Based Risks

Some scenarios may seem too far-fetched to consider viable risks, but to those who have found themselves paying out large amounts without assistance from insurance, these risks are all too real. Imagine, for a second, that the contractor's car causes an accident on your property. You could be liable for any and all injuries and tangle you up in all sorts of legal complexities you weren't prepared for.

Poor workmanship and subpar pool installation won't just diminish the value and enjoyment of your pool but could lead to costly corrective work, or, even worse, injuries and structural failures.

When the pool cost suddenly includes legal matters and compensation coming from your own pocket, these scenarios seem a lot more real.

Substandard Work and Safety Concerns

Uninsured builders often aren't held accountable like licensed, insured professionals. This lack of oversight increases the risk of substandard construction. Beyond affecting the aesthetic that you had planned, poor quality and a lack of proper engineering practices pose significant safety risks from minor slips to drownings.

How to Recognize Bad Swimming Pool Contractors

When you're putting together a pool project, it's very important to put in the time and effort to learn everything you can about any company you consider. Some companies can have all the professional appearance and none of the work to back it up. They could be incompetent or inexperienced. Some companies exist only to scam homeowners. Put in the work now to avoid catastrophe later. Here are some things to watch out for:

1. Improper or No Licenses

Perhaps one of the biggest red flags for a prospective pool company is a lack of properly verifiable and up-to-date licensing. Don't ever be afraid to inquire about a company's licensing. If they're a high-quality company, they will have no problem providing you with that information.

2. Bad Portfolio & Sketchy Website

A professional pool company should have a professional website, but even if the website isn't on par with some others, there are some aspects that should never be overlooked. There should be plenty of readily available photos of the company's work. If they claim to do both fiberglass pools and concrete pools, for example, there should be photos of both, not just one or the other, and stock photos are never a good sign. The "About" section should be overflowing with their passion for custom pools and, ideally, testimonials.

If you're meeting with a pool builder, they should have photos on their phone that they should be more than happy to show you. If all you can get out of a company is a single link to a website that looks like it hasn't been touched in multiple decades, that's a good indicator that they're trying to fool you into making a deal that's not for your good.

3. None or Primarily Negative Reviews

You should always look up online reviews of a pool company you're considering. It's normal for a company to have a few negative reviews, the you should find that the majority are left by satisfied customers who love having their own pool.

If you cannot find any reviews even on sites like Yelp, or if all the reviews are negative, it's time to walk away from that company.

4. Not showing up on time or rescheduling

If they can’t be reliable when they're trying to win your business, the chances they will be reliable through construction aren’t very good. 

5. Deposits over 5%

If a pool company is asking for more than 5% down this is a major red flag. Every scam artist in this industry uses the same model to take advantage of the victims. The first thing they do is undercut the competition to make their bid look appealing. Then, they ask for a big deposit. From here they either take your money and run or they wait until the first paycheck due at dig. If they collect 30% at sign up and then another 20% at dig. You just paid close to $50k for a very expensive hole in the ground. In short, if their bid sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

How to Find a Reliable Swimming Pool Contractor

1. Always Ensure the Pool Builder is Licensed and Insured

You read above about how important it is that your pool contractor have insurance and the proper licensing. The last thing you want is to have your happy pursuit turn into a devastating failure. It is important to remember that business licenses don't apply to all states, so make sure your company is licensed in the state you reside in.

2. Learn What Type of Pools the Builder Installs

There are many different types of pools, including vinyl liner pools, concrete pools, fiberglass pools, and more. There are different reasons for wanting each type, but whatever you choose, it's important to know what kind of experience your prospective pool company has with your chosen material. Not all companies specialize in all materials, and you want to make sure that they're comfortable doing anything you ask.

3. Ask Friends and Family Who They Used to Build Their Pool

If you know someone who has a pool, ask who they had install it and what their experience was like. This is particularly useful if you love the design and durability of your friend's pool. Since they're your friends or family members, they're going to be straight with you about how the project went, and you can be confident that it isn't a sponsored review or someone who has their own ties to the company. This is a great way to hear honest feedback from someone you trust.

4. Check the Reputation of the Pool Builder Online

The internet is a vast resource that you will want to take advantage of once your list of pool builders begins to narrow down. Perfect feedback is basically unattainable for any company, but the overwhelming sense should be positive.

5. Find Out When the Company Can Begin and How Long the Process Will Take

Supply chain issues and the sudden increase in demand for custom pools have hit the industry hard. The wait for pool construction is often long, so it's important to remember to ask about the timeline for your project. That includes when they can begin and how long the job will take. Once you have that information, you can compare it to what you learn about other companies.

6. Look at the Pool Builders Portfolio and Talk to Past Customers

Our last tip for finding a reputable company is to look at their portfolio and talk to actual past customers. When you look at the portfolio, examine the company's style and the quality of their finished works. When you talk to the customers, ask them if they're happy with their pools and how the project went. Did the company finish the job in the expected timeframe and for the established price? Did they have any issues with the employees? How is the pool holding up? 

What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Professional Pool Contractor?

It is always wise to go with a company that knows what they're doing and has a good reputation with the community.

Access to High-Quality Materials

A high-quality company means high-quality materials. These companies have established relationships with suppliers they know and trust to provide premium materials. Licensed contractors know the importance of good materials to achieve maximum durability and aesthetic appeal.

Compliance with Regulations

A pool company that has a positive relationship with the community knows just what it takes to navigate the many local and state regulations that come with a pool project. By following these guidelines, you can rest easy knowing your pool is safe and well-built.

Longevity and Maintenance Benefits

How long your pool lasts is directly tied to the quality of the installation. Professionals use proper techniques and premium materials that will allow your pool to endure time and use. Additionally, many companies offer maintenance benefits that will help you identify and address any major issues before they come to life.

Impact on Lifespan

The quality of the initial installation is one of the biggest determining factors for your pool's lifespan. A licensed contractor will consider many things such as proper grading, accurate measurements, and soil compaction before setting anything in stone.

Scam Stories From Customers That Hired a Bad Swimming Pool Contractor

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who are using the swimming pool trend to take advantage of innocent homeowners. They pretend to be reputable companies, secure funds from homeowners, and then either don't show up or leave the job barely started.

The Swimming Pool Zelle Scam

A couple in Massachusetts consulted with who they thought was a confirmed pool company in their local area. After they had sent the individual over $30,000, they lost contact with the man and, while attempting to get back in touch with the company, discovered that the real company had no knowledge of the couple, their transactions, or interactions.

The Minnesota Pool Scam

In Minnesota, more than a dozen families paid out tens of thousands of dollars to a sham company that took the funds, caused a lot of destruction in the homeowners' yards, and left them with no resources.

The Trifone Pool Scam

Another contractor in Massachusetts claimed to be a professional and required his clients to pay up-front and in full. Once their checks cleared, the contractor disappeared in most cases. In one instance, he went through with a job but the pool that came out of his efforts caused the homeowners many problems and thousands in damage.

Conclusion

It's important to allow enough time in your mental schedule for research. Save yourself a lot of heartache and stress by ensuring you work with a team of professionals who desire to bring your vision to life.

Bid Review

Want us to review your bid and give you some insight? Send over your bids from pool contractors to [email protected] We will be happy to give you some insight. 

Want to avoid expensive pool contractors and build your pool wholesale? Check out our upcoming LIVE event to learn how easy it is to be a DIY pool builder.