Now that we’ve identified the different types of pool builders out there, we want to give you some warning signs to watch out or when interviewing the company you’re considering to hire for your project.
Red Flags of Potentially Bad Builders
- Lack of Proper Licensing and Insurance
- Unlicensed: A builder without a valid license may not meet industry standards.
- No insurance: Lack of liability and workers’ compensation insurance can leave you liable for accidents.
- Poor or No References
- Refusal to provide references: A reputable builder should willingly offer references.
- Negative reviews: Consistently bad reviews and complaints are a significant warning sign.
- Unclear or Unprofessional Contracts
- Vague contracts: Contracts should be detailed and clear, outlining all terms and conditions.
- No written contract: Always insist on a written agreement to protect your interests.
- Request for Large Upfront Payments
- Excessive deposits: Requiring a sizeable upfront payment (more than 10-20%) can signify financial instability or fraud.
- Cash-only payments: Insisting on cash payments can indicate a lack of professionalism or intent to avoid taxes.
- Lack of Communication
- Poor communication: Difficulty reaching the builder or getting timely responses is a bad sign.
- Unprofessional behavior: Rudeness or unwillingness to answer questions indicates poor customer service.
- No Physical Office or Showroom
- Lack of a physical location: A legitimate business usually has an office or showroom you can visit.
- Untraceable address: Beware of builders without a fixed business address.
- Unrealistic Promises
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Extremely low bids or promises of unusually fast completion times should raise suspicion.
- Overpromising: Guaranteeing things that are beyond standard practice or feasibility.
- Poor Quality of Previous Work
- Inconsistent quality: Check previous projects for consistent quality and adherence to standards.
- Lack of Portfolio
- A reputable builder should have a portfolio of completed projects.
- Frequent Name Changes
- Business name changes: Frequent changes in the company’s name could indicate attempts to escape a bad reputation or legal issues.
- High-Pressure Sales Tactics
- Pressure to sign: High-pressure tactics to make you sign a contract quickly can be a red flag.
- Limited-time offers: Pushing for immediate decisions with limited-time offers can indicate desperation or deceit.
- No Warranties or Guarantees
- Lack of warranties: Reputable builders provide warranties on their work and materials.
- Avoidance of guarantees: Hesitation to offer guarantees may signal a lack of confidence in their work.
Avoiding these red flags could save you unknown amounts of money and stress related to costly repairs due to substandard craftmanship.
