What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Pool Contractor?

You’ve been dreaming of a pool in your Westchester, NY backyard for a while, and now you’re ready to make a move. You can envision spending summer evenings relaxing poolside with neighbors, entertaining family and enjoying quiet weekend afternoons in your own retreat.

But now comes the hard part—hiring a pool contractor you trust to do the job right. 

What questions should you ask a swimming pool contractor before hiring the company to install a luxury swimming pool or spa on your Westchester property? 

We’re glad you asked. 

See, many people go into these types of projects with a grand vision and end up with mediocre results because they don’t spend the time to properly vet the pool contractor before signing on the dotted line. Once the building process begins, they’re committed but realize that things aren’t going the way they hoped. The contractor is behind schedule. The company brings in subs that you wouldn’t invite on your property. Issues crop up that cost you more money than you budgeted. You begin to wonder if you’ll ever host a pool party. 

We’d like to tell you this scenario is uncommon, but we’ve been called in to renovate pools that were poorly built. So, we know the truth. 

We want you to go into your pool project with a dream that becomes reality—and to hire a contractor you trust to not only install your pool, but to maintain it and create an outdoor living environment that suits your lifestyle. So, we recommend you ask these five questions when interviewing pool contractors so you can partner with a professional that is certified, experienced and focused on your goals. 

Question #1 Are you licensed and insured? 

There is no point in asking further questions if the contractor isn’t licensed, bonded and insured. If you hire a contractor without these necessary qualifications, you are taking a big risk and can be held liable for accidents and injuries. 

Question #2 What experience do you have building pools? 

This sounds like a basic question to ask, and it is—but you’d be surprised at how many landscapers are getting into the pool business and have limited training because they see this market as an opportunity to sell more work. You want to align with a pool professional that has a long track record and is an expert in the field. Ask about training, continuing education, and how the contractor stays up on the latest pool building techniques and trends. Find out how many pools the company has built.

At Neave Pools, we have decades of experience building luxury pools and spas in Westchester, NY and beyond. Our award-winning team is trained and certified according to the highest industry standards. 

There are two types of contractors – contractors that only install pool and contractors that not only specialize in installing pools but can take on landscaping another outdoor projects as well. Do you want to install a pool next summer but then add an entire outdoor kitchen area and entertainment space the following summer? Or, maybe do more enhancements to your surrounding poolscape later on? Neave Pools is part of Neave Group Outdoor Solutions which specializes in all your outdoor living needs. We have the advantage of being able to look at the “big picture” and help you create a master plan if necessary. 

Question #3 Can you show me pictures of your finished projects and provide references so I can visit those properties? 

A professional pool builder will offer you a portfolio of finished projects to view as a testimony of their craftsmanship and also to help inspire ideas for your own pool. Take a look at the pools the contractor has built. If you notice most of them are simple and you are looking for a more involved pool with a grotto, sun shelf, infinity edge or other pool features, you might need to find a different contractor who can show evidence of successfully completing this type of work. 

Ask for references, and find out if you can visit those properties to see the pools in person. When speaking to references, ask them what challenges they confronted during the pool building process that they did not expect and how the contractor managed those issues. A good reference will be honest. 

Question #4 How long will it take to install a pool at my Westchester, NY home?

If a contractor tells you the schedule is wide open and they can get it done in a week or so—walk away. Pool projects take time to plan, design your pool and execute. Every pool project is different, so providing an average building time is not easy. But an experienced pool contractor will give you a timeline that details the steps involved so you go into the project with realistic expectations for the scope of work. 

Question #5 Do you maintain pools after they are built? 

Your pool will require regular cleaning and you need to oversee the chemical balance. There are pool opening tasks in spring and winterization requirements at the end of the swimming season. Are you prepared to manage this yourself? Swimming pool servicing is a specialty, and you want to be sure the water is clean and healthy—and that you’re protecting the pool infrastructure, because you want this investment to last.

We recommend partnering with a pool construction firm that also offers pool maintenance and has trained technicians on board. 

Jump Into Spring with a Pool Plan for your Westchester, NY Home 

You can trust the pool professionals at Neave Pools. We provide innovative visions for your luxury outdoor swimming pool and integrate it seamlessly with your outdoor living space. Download our free guide to swimming pool design today, and give us a call. 

Contact us at 914-271-7996 in Westchester, NY; 845-463-0592 in Hudson Valley; 203-212-4800 in Connecticut; and 201-591-4570 in New Jersey. Or, fill out our contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.