How do I choose a swimming pool builder?
Check whether we know a builder near you, then confirm any builder's license, insurance, and references, and sign a written contract before you pay.
Start with Royal Swimming Pools
Royal Swimming Pools installs pools in the greater Memphis area. Outside that area, we keep a list of Royal Preferred Builders across the country. Once you have an order with us, and sometimes with just a quote, we can check whether one of them serves your location. We don't always have a builder to recommend. See Do you install or build pools in my area? for how to ask.
Where else to look
Ask people you know and trust for recommendations. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a reputable installer, and local Facebook buy/sell groups are a good place to ask. Home services sites such as HomeAdvisor and Houzz, and neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, can also help. Treat Craigslist as a last resort, and check anyone you find there especially carefully. Our blog post How to Find and Choose a Swimming Pool Builder covers more places to look.
What to check before you hire
| Check | How to do it |
|---|---|
| License | Confirm the builder's license with your state or county government |
| Insurance | Ask the builder for proof of insurance |
| References | Ask for a short list of past customers with projects similar to yours, and contact them |
| Complaints and reviews | Check with your local Home Builders Association and consumer protection officials, look the company up with the Better Business Bureau, and search its name online with words like "scam," "review," or "complaint" |
| Estimates | Get written estimates from more than one builder. Each should describe the work, materials, completion date, and price. Don't automatically choose the lowest bid, and ask why if the estimates differ a lot |
Get a written contract before you pay
Never hire a builder without a signed contract. Have everyone sign it before any money changes hands or any work begins, and keep a copy along with the builder's contact information. Even if your state doesn't require a written contract, ask for one. Before you sign, make sure it includes:
- the builder's name, address, phone number, and license number
- an estimated start and completion date
- any promises made about the scope of work and the cost of labor and materials
- a written statement of your right to cancel within three business days, if you signed it in your home or somewhere other than the builder's permanent place of business
Make sure all blank spaces are filled in. Don't pay the full amount up front. Some states limit how much a contractor can ask for as a down payment, so check with your state or local consumer agency. Never make the final payment until the work is done and you're satisfied with it.
Warning signs
The Federal Trade Commission lists these as signs of a home improvement scam:
- knocking on your door looking for business because they're "in the area"
- claiming to have materials left over from a previous job
- pressuring you for an immediate decision
- asking you to pay for everything up front, or accepting only cash
- asking you to get any required building permits
- suggesting you borrow money from a lender they know
A builder who won't put the agreement in writing is also a red flag. Thank them for their time and find someone else.
Can't find a builder?
You don't have to hire one builder for the whole job. Many parts of the build can be done by homeowners with little or no construction experience, and you can hire subcontractors for individual parts instead. See Can I build my own swimming pool and save money? for which jobs homeowners usually do themselves.
Had a great builder?
Recommend them for our Royal Preferred Builder list. Email their contact information, some long-distance and up-close photos of your pool, and a recap of your experience to support@royalswimmingpools.com.
Still need help?
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? You can always contact us at support@royalswimmingpools.com or choose the category below to see our most frequently asked questions for that topic: