At last, you’re ready to take on one of your dream job home improvement: your very own backyard pool. You’ve always wanted jump into that cool, clear waters right outside your backyard door. Have a fun time with family on a hot Sydney summer day. And you’re all set, you’ve got the financing covered, you know exactly how your pool should look like.
But wait, there’s one problem: you don’t know how to go about it? Who’s going to build it?
This is a common concern when it comes to building something, much less a swimming pool. Building a swimming pool is a big long-term investment, you just have to get it right the first time around if you want to avoid serious implications in the future. Not to mention a project like this can consume a lot of your resources: time, money, and effort. Construction can stretch out for weeks on end, and your patience might be pushed to the limits.
What you need is a swimming pool builder that meets all your requirements, and delivers even more. Sounds daunting, right? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ideas on how to look for your dream pool contractor.
1. Word of mouth is always the best place to start.
Walk around the neighborhood and ask around. Ask family or friends for any recommendations. An actual pool is the best showcase a builder can ever have. What was their general experience? How did the actual construction go? Were there any problems? How did they handle it? How’s their customer service both during construction and after. Do they also maintain the pool? Those are just some questions that can pop in the mind. If first-hand recommendations are not possible, try a detailed search online for reviews on builders around your area.
2. Ask for a quote from at least 3 pre-selected builders.
After you’ve done your initial research, reach out and ask for detailed quotes. Make sure they’ve understood exactly what you want by providing them detailed descriptions or illustrations of what you require. Compare the prices and ask for breakdowns or clarifications on important points. Though the cheapest builder might seem attractive to you, it is not always a good idea as it might indicate cutting costs on materials and crappy service. One of the things you might want to be clear about is the clean-up, support, and maintenance after construction. When all is said and done, you wouldn’t want to be left high and dry to deal with all the construction mess and any issues that might come up post-construction.
3. Verify first-hand what you have learned about your potential builder.
Before you make your final decision, visit the builders’ showroom and if possible talk to previous clients or related vendors and suppliers. One of the tell-tale signs of a stable company is the amount of investment they’ve put on the physical place of business and its showroom. Especially in this internet age where companies pop out of nowhere (and disappears in the same manner as well!), having a professional-looking place to boast of shows you that they intend to stay in the long run.
Ask them for client references and if possible reach out to them so you can get a feel of how it is like working with your prospective builder and see the actual finished product. Having a casual chat with your builder, clients and vendors on the difficulties and challenges they expected and experienced in the course of the project would give you an idea of their depth of training, experience, and professionalism.
Once you’ve chosen your swimming pool builder in busy Sydney, sit back and have a sip of your favorite drink, and visualize your very own pool party.
