Top 10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Pool Contractor

When building a pool, you wish to hire a company that will do an excellent job within stipulated time without causing you any stress. You always need to check various aspects of a contractor to avoid shoddy work and encountering a stressful ordeal. You do not want to sign a fraud contract or have your project delayed for various reasons and having your backyard unusable. Although they do not often occur, these reasons can scare anyone from building a pool. 

However, here is a guide on the top ten avoidable mistakes that homeowners make when hiring a pool builder...

1. Failure To Do Thorough Research On Pool Contractors
You can encounter some problems even with an experienced and trustworthy pool builder. While researching on a pool can consuming time, failure to do so can lead to future problems. You need to track down pool contractors, check their references, and compare estimates and offers among other important aspects of pool builders. See the contractor’s achievement on projects similar to yours. Finding the right pool company makes the process much easier and is worth the effort.

2. Micromanaging

Once you hire a reputable contractor, avoid looking over their shoulder while they carry out their job. However, do not shy from asking questions, particularly when you have concerns about the proceedings of the work. Avoid nitpicking as much as you can as this will only stress you and strain your relationship with your contractor.

3. Failing To Read The Fine Print

Reading the fine print is boring, but it is important that you know and understand some fine print. Always read the contract before signing it. Understand what the contract stipulates about payment and payment schedules. It is evident that you will purchase some products for the pool. Always read the warranties that come with all the products you are considering for the pool.

4. Bargain Hunting

You need to stick to your budget and avoid shortcuts. It is very tempting to go for the lowest bid. The important thing is to understand what value you are getting for the cost. Check that the value matches the workmanship, materials used, and the warranty. Hiring the cheapest contractor and settling for sub standard material will cost you more money in the long term. Have a realistic approach and build the best quality pool you can afford.

5. Settling For Oral Agreements

One of the common mistakes property owners make when hiring pool builders is failing to get everything in writing. The contract should entail every aspect of the pool building including a detailed description of the project, plans, scope of work, materials, quantities, payment schedules and the estimated commencement and completion dates for the projects. A contractor might explain all these aspects but ensure you have them in writing. Ensure you get a written warranty that clearly spells out what it covers, what it does not cover, and how long the warranty covers the project. The written document should also specify the handling of changes in the work plan and the protocol for cancellation if necessary.
 
6. Signing A Contract Without Fully Comprehending Its Contents

First, you need to know there is no dumb question and all your queries are valid. If anything is unclear in the contract, consult and have the contractor explain all your concerns before proceeding with the project. Lack of clarity may arise from insufficient details or your misunderstanding of the terms of the contract. Either way, it is okay to ask. You would rather understand now than in the future when it may incur additional cost or when it results in change orders.
 
7. Large Down Payment

The law stipulates the amount of money a contractor can ask for before commencing a project. A contractor that asks for a large down payment may lack sufficient money for overheads or payment of materials. With contractual work, this is not a good indication.
 
8. Lack Of Clarity In Your Targets

You need to spell out clearly what you want to achieve in your project. Let your contractor understand how you want the pool to appear on completion. Specify the material and the mode of installations you have in mind even during the project. Be very specific how you want your pool to appear. Making changes might result in a change order, which increases the cost of your pool. However, this is better than having something you do not desire.
 
9. Failure To Check For Proper Documentation

You should check several documents before hiring a contractor. The first thing is to check the contractor’s license status. Confirm that the contractor has all the necessary insurance including worker’s compensation cover and general liability insurance. A reputable pool company will have a permanent physical address and a published phone number.
 
10. Failure To Request A Waiver Of Lien

Contractors and subcontractors have a legal right to file a lien against your property whenever you fail to fulfill on the agreed payments. This can incur legal issues if you pay the pool builder and he or she fails to pay the subcontractor. The contractors can file a lien on the property you own and demand payment. When you obtain a waiver of lien from the contractor and the subcontractors, you protect yourself against this problem.