Once you have a list of companies, visit their offices/showrooms to see what kind of impression they make. If they advertise membership in any professional organizations, contact the group to verify their claims. Look the contractors up with the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been made. View this much like eBay feedback--one or two complaints may not mean much, but if there are a number of criticisms, you should probably look elsewhere.
Once you've weeded out the chaff, invite the remaining contractors to the site and interview them, much like an employer interviewing a potential employee. Building a pool is a major investment of time and money. Don't be afraid to grill these folks. Some questions you can ask are:
- Do you have references? (Check them personally)
- How long have you been in the business?
- Are you licensed and insured? (Check liability insurance and Workmen's Compensation)
- Can you provide a written estimate? (They should definitely be able to)
- When can you begin?
Collect estimates from all the contractors who make the cut. Compare the figures. Don't automatically go with the lowest figure, especially if the estimate is significantly lower than the others (the contractor may not have understood everything you wanted).
Once you select a company to work with, get a written contract. Make sure you understand the contract in its entirety. According to federal law, you have three days to change your mind after signing the contract.
Your contract should contain:
- Cost estimate and payment schedule (you should not make a final payment until you're satisfied with the work done)
- Description of the work and parts to be used
- Start and completion dates
- Agreement that the contractor will acquire the necessary permits