How To Locate A Reputable Pool Company & Spend Less Money

At Parkwood Pools we recognise that whenever you work with a pool contractor to undertake work on your swimming pool, you like things done properly and at a competitive price.

Over the last 3 decades, we’ve seen countless customers not obtain the results they envisioned by employing a ‘jack of all trades swimming pool company’ that said they could do just about every thing when it came to pools. In actuality, they could do a lot…. of damage, that is!

So, to safeguard yourself from getting tricked by a swimming pool contractor, we ask you to make sure you take these guidelines:

1. Verify the Swimming pool Contractor’s Insurance

A pool contractor’s workman's compensation insurance helps to protect you if a worker is injured on your property. Liability Insurance helps to protect you if any of your property is damaged.

The swimming pool company that you decide on shouldn’t have any issues with you phoning the insurance company to ensure that the contractor’s insurance is current.

You can also request to have your own name on the insurance certification. By having your name on the certificate, you are alerted if the contractor cancels the policy during your project.

2. Verify the Swimming pool Contractor’s License

The good news is this is very simple to do. To verify your swimming pool contractor’s license go to www.sunbiz.org. If a license is relevant for your project, the state may help protect you in the event of poor craftsmanship. If a permit is necessary, make sure the contractor obtains it. If you employ a contractor without being insured or a license, you’re tinkering with fire.

3. Get Estimates & Warranties in Writing

Get all warranties and quotes in writing. It helps you make sure that the contractor knows specifically what you’re looking for and, it’s really important for both you and the contractor to avoid any confusion over specifically what you desire done.

Also, you need to make certain that there are no hidden charges or fees. Whatever the contractor is charging you for should be in writing. You also want to know what is included in the warranty, just how long the warranty is good for, and what type of payment the contractor accept.

4. Have a look at References

Before you even start your research, it’s beneficial to ask for referrals. Nonetheless, the key here is to not feel obliged to use someone that your peer recommends just because they recommended them we encourage all of our customers to check our references or to talk with past customers and ask them if they would work with us again, verify that we obtained the job done on time and also ask if there was anything they didn’t like about our work.

If you just abide by these steps, you’ll be a lot better off than most people choosing Pool Contractors in Sunrise Florida. And you’ll save money on the cost of the job now and in the future.

What You Need To Know

Even though the law provides some protection from fraudulent or incompetent contractors, it doesn’t guarantee honest transactions or suitable performance. Take care of your investment by being an informed, cautious consumer.

All registered contractors will have to carry general liability insurance coverage.

A contractor should have a current business license, and if the contractor has employees, they must possess workers’ compensation coverage.

Before you engage a pool contractor:

Plan your project cautiously. Knowing what you would like done and can clearly explain it, you’re not as likely to not understand information or experience cost overruns.

Ask for references and then check them out. If you can, view the work, meet the homeowner and go to a site with work in progress. Request references of suppliers that the contractor works together with and investigate his or her payment record. Request a copy of the contractor’s insurance policy to verify what is covered. Evaluate all the aspects of the bids, such as the scope of work, warranties, references, time frames and price.

Try and foresee problems and inconveniences, like cost overrun or cleanup, and come to an understanding with your contractor on how they shall be handled prior to the work begins.

After you've chosen a contractor or remodeler:

1. Get yourself a written contract which includes price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees (if applicable), the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties and start and end date.

It is also a good idea to include change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and cleanup.

2. Make regular inspections and consult your local building department about required permits. Ensure that all permits are in place and that inspections are in order.

3. When advancing money for materials, it may be possible to make checks payable to both the contractor and the supply house or to pay the supply house directly.

4. Put all change orders in writing and ask questions as work progresses. Stay away from verbal contracts, and be very cautious about paying for work that has not been completed.

5. Ask for signed lien releases from all of the major subcontractors and suppliers on your job before you make final payments.

Other Details You’ll want to know when working with a Pool Contractor!

• If a contractor is presently registered and for how many years.

• If there is any unresolved or past action against a contractor’s bond.

• Different business names a contractor could have operated under previously.

• If a contractor has ever been cited for infractions.

Be suspicious of contractors who:

• Provide credentials or references that can’t be verified.

• Offer a special price providing you sign right now or use other high-pressure sales strategies.

• Accept just cash, need large deposits or the entire cost in the beginning or request you to make the payment in their name.

• Do not provide you with a written agreement or comprehensive estimate.

• Asks you to pickup the building permit. More often than not, the contractor is required to take out the permits. Permits are your protection and help ensure that work will meet local building codes.

• Offer exceedingly long warranties.

• Needs to complete most or all the work on saturdays and sundays and after-hours.

• Presents an offer that appears "too wonderful to be authentic."

Protect yourself with permits!

• Building Permits

• Electrical Permits

Keep away from lien problems

• If any supplier of supplies, employee or subcontractor is not paid, a lien can be filed against your residence to force you to pay. You can actually pay 2 times for the same work. Or more serious, an outstanding lien could lead to foreclosure on your house. (For renovating jobs, liens can only be filed for the amount left unpaid to the general contractor.)

• If you receive a "notice of intent" to file a lien on your residence, ask your general contractor to give you lien release documents from the supplier or subcontractor who's sent this notice. The contractor should offer you more information about lien release documents if you ask for it.

Some Good Things to ask when Hiring a Pool Contractor

• Do they accept jobs of your size? ?

• Are they prepared to give financial personal references, from suppliers or banks?

• Are they going to provide you a list of former clients?

• How many other undertakings would they have going at the same time?

• How long have they worked with their sub-contractors?

The solutions to these concerns will disclose their availability, reliability, simply how much attention they'll be able to give your project as well as how smoothly the project could go.

Connect In person

It's imperative you two talk well because this person will undoubtedly be at your house . or office for hours at a time. At the same time, never allow personality mislead you. Check in with your state's consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau to ensure that the Pool Contractors in South Florida do not have a history of quarrels with clients or sub-contractors.

A Great Company Will:

• Set a Payment Schedule

Payment schedules can also provide you with a clue of the contractor's economic status and work ethic. Should they want half the bid at first, they might have financial difficulties or be apprehensive that you won't pay the rest once you have seen the work. For large jobs, a schedule usually starts with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the duration of the project and a check for the final 15 percent after you feel every item on the punch list has been completed.

• Put it in Writing

A great contractor will draft a contract that details every step of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn't pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract isn't about mistrust; it's about insuring a successful renovation.

• Lastly, remember that as soon as a change is made or a problem uncovered, the price just increased and the project just got longer. The four most expensive words in the English language? "While you're at it...."

• Also Remember Don't Let Price Be Your Guide

Beyond technical competence, comfort should play an equal or greater role in your decision. The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it's better to spend more and get someone you're comfortable with.

You should not Enticed by These Contractor Lines

1. This offer expires right away.

The vast majority of bids are good for 1 month so clients can mull over decisions and get loans.

2. You receive a rebate if we use your house as a model for our work.

A sales gimmick, this price is usually higher than the quote you’d get elsewhere.

3. I’ll provide you with a price just from looking.

Bids come in writing, and only after cautious examination. If you don’t really know what the quote is based on, how could you work out a superior deal?

4. I don’t give out contact information for past clients.

A great service provider is thrilled to provide references. It is important to followup and ensure that those clients are content with the work.

5. A simple handshake is going to do.?

Obtain it in writing. A contract helps to protect you and your contractor should anything go wrong.

6. I’ll cut you a deal if you pay with cash.

A contractor is able to reduce his rate by not reporting your payment as income and, consequently, by not having to pay taxes. This is fraud.

7. You’ll really need to get the work permits.

A contractor who can’t get permits for a job probably isn’t licensed in your area, or his license was revoked.

8. For an added fee, I’ll offer you a warrantee.

Guarantees are built into a good number of contracts at no cost and cover the repair for a specified period, usually one year.