Questions to Ask a Pool Contractor Before You Sign
Short answer: Ask each pool contractor about their license and insurance, who does the work, exactly what is included and excluded, the equipment brand and model, the schedule, how payments and change orders work, and what the warranty covers. Get the answers in writing and compare them across builders.
Credentials and track record
- What is your license number, and is it active with the state or local board?
- Can you send current certificates of liability and workers' compensation insurance?
- How many pools like mine have you built in the last year?
- Can I speak to three to five references, mostly recent, and see a pool that is several years old?
- How are the trades managed? Who supervises the work on site, and who is my point of contact?
Scope and design
- What is the exact pool size, depth, shape and construction type?
- Is a soil test or engineered plan included?
- What happens if you hit rock, a high water table or poor soil?
- Which items are excluded, and what would each cost? See the pool quote checklist.
Equipment and finishes
- What is the brand and model of the pump, filter, heater, sanitizer, automation and lights?
- What interior finish brand, color and thickness, and what tile and coping? See the finish guide.
- How many square feet of decking are included, and in what material?
- Is a safety barrier included and does it meet local code? See pool safety requirements.
Schedule and permits
- Who pulls the permits and schedules inspections, and who pays?
- When would you start, and what is the expected completion date?
- What causes delays, and how are you kept informed?
- Who is my point of contact during construction?
Money
- What does the deposit cover, and which milestones trigger each later payment? See deposits and payment schedules.
- Is the price itemized, with fence and gates listed separately?
- How are change orders priced, written and approved? See change orders.
- How long is this quote valid?
Warranty and after the build
- What does each warranty cover (structure, finish, workmanship, equipment), for how long, and what voids it?
- Who handles equipment warranty claims, you or the builder? See pool warranties.
- What is the startup and orientation process, and what water-chemistry program does the finish require?
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a pool builder first?
Start with the license number and proof of insurance, then ask what is included and excluded. These two answers narrow the field quickly.
Should I get the answers in writing?
Yes. Verbal promises are hard to enforce. Ask for the answers to be written into the proposal or contract so you can compare builders on the same terms.
Do it automatically
Pool Quote Compare reads two to four proposals from PDF or pasted text, fills in the fields, and shows the quotes side by side with exclusions lined up.
Compare the answers you get across builders