Make the Most of Pool Contractors Reference Lists
Shopping for the right swimming pool contractor is never easy. After all, every company seems great at first, and it can be really hard to tell which one you should go with. However, there’s one surefire way to select the right one. That “way” involves asking for references, which you should always do, but asking for them in a strategic and smart way!
Before You Ask for References, Ask This!
First things first, don’t just rush into asking for references. Take a little time to get to know your contractor and to get a feel for what they’re like. Then, when you’re ready, ask them this important question: about how many pools did you install last season? Depending on the contractor, you may get an estimate, an exact number, or even a slight exaggeration designed to impress you. No matter what, though, once you have a number, ask for the reference list.
Compare the Number of Pools Installed to the Number of References Provided
Now, if you’ve followed the above tip, you’ll have two numbers to work with: a number of pools installed and a number of references.Ideally, these numbers should match or or should at least be pretty close to each other. If they are close, then that’s a good sign that the company you’re dealing with has a lot of satisfied customers. If, on the other hand, a company’s “installed” number is way higher than its number of references, this either means the company lied to you about how much work it does, which isn’t a good sign, or that a lot of those customers weren’t happy with the company’s work.
When No References are Provided
You may be wondering what to do if the company refuses to provide you with a list of references. In this circumstance, your best bet is always going to be to walk away. That might sound harsh, but providing references is pretty much par for the course with pool companies, so if a company won’t do it, that’s a good sign that something is wrong and that you need to steer clear!
Ultimately, no matter who you are, this little “trick” should work in your favor. It’s an easy way to test pool companies on their integrity and their quality of service at the same time. So, give it a shot!