How To Find the Best Pool Contractor

You’ve decided that what your backyard is missing is the gorgeous, turquoise and aqua waters of your own swimming pool. Great decision! A swimming pool is the ultimate luxury for a homeowner. Getting home from work, throwing on a bikini, and lazing in the sun by your own pool, or, better yet, going for a swim to let off some steam—it doesn’t get better.

This is an especially good idea if you’re living in the Tampa Bay area, or anywhere else in South Florida, for that matter. Tampa Bay is known for being the sunny part of the Sunshine State, which is why many homeowners add a swimming pool to their backyards. Now that you, too, will have a new pool, all that’s left is to find pool builders who are up to the task. If you’re looking for the folks who will do a great job both at pool design and at pool building, read on for some things to keep in mind as you begin your search.

Make some phone calls.

First things first—when you’re looking for a pool company, you need to know the market a bit. It’s a good idea to do a quick Google search for “swimming pool companies in Tampa Florida,” and make a list of possible pool builders. Once you know what the possibilities are, start making some phone calls and perusing some websites. This will help you get a feel for the types of personalities involved, as well as their level of professionalism. Installing a new swimming pool in your backyard is a big job. That means that you’ll be working with these pool contractors for a while, and you want to make sure that they’re the right fit for your personality. If you have a good rapport over the phone, and you’re impressed by the pictures and testimonials on their website, those are both good signs.

Rely on recommendations.

It’s great to check out websites and read what strangers have said about one builder or another, but there’s nothing as good as a recommendation from someone you trust. Who do you know in the Tampa area, maybe in Hillsborough or Clearwater? Maybe a friend or a neighbor who has a great pool in their backyard? Ask which pool builders they hired to install their swimming pool. Were they pleased with the pool design process and the schedule on which the builders were able to put in the new pool? If they have a custom pool, with special outdoor features, ask how much that cost. By relying on friends and neighbors, you’re more likely to get the best price on either a standard or custom pool.

What will you use your new pool for?

This is crucial because it will define the type of swimming pool you’ll be installing. Are you gong to swim laps in athletic swimwear, splash around in a bathing suit at a pool party every weekend, or sunbathe in an unlined bikini? Of course, it’s likely that you’ll be doing a combination of these activities, but it’s important to understand which you’ll be partaking in the most. If you’re just going to sunbathe in a bikini, you don’t need an athletic-grade pool. On the other hand, if you’re planning on hosting a pool party on a regular basis, you might want to opt for a custom pool with a waterfall or another fun feature. In order to make sure that you have a great experience enjoying your backyard pool, be clear about how you plan to use it.

Constructing a backyard oasis is a great idea, but you need to make sure you’re working with the best pool builders around for the process. It doesn’t take much time to figure out which builders to go with. Do some preliminary research, ask your friends and neighbors, and be clear about your intentions. Soon, you’ll be throwing on a bikini top and bottom to enjoy a backyard pool of your own.