new pool to be - assistance please!

OK....even though it costs more up front, I am going to go with a pool....

(back in August I posted discussing a choice between a $35K ish pool, or a $30K ish boat.

Have received several estimates last fall, but most were from national companies, and one really large local family company.

I have talked with several friends down in Houston (I live in DALLAS) and they say they heard bad things about the larger companies, but all who used a small local/ family type joint, got better pricing, or much more for their money....and had real friendly personal attention.

How does someone find a builder like this? I have only lived here a few years, and everyone who I know with a pool had it already in the house when they bought it.....

I know a gent in this neighborhood who is a city Firefighter, and he and a group of other firemen have a company that maintains/ repairs and builds pools as a second job. they have been around since 2001....http://www.cleartechcustompools.com/

I just don't know. It seems that pool builders are just one step above used car salesmen in the rip-off ranking.....everyone has or has heard of a horror story.

And there are some great stories like Divnkd using the landscaping company and getting free plants! (I used to live in League city, and I would love to use those guys!!!)

How does one select a builder? Is it better to go with a big company or small?

You guys in Houston/ Pearland, etc are seeming to get much more for your $$$ than I have seen up here. I am about your same cost with a waterfall, diving rock, shallow sun step with water feature, 8.5' deep at the end, quartz, washed stone decking, bla bla...am around $34K. To add a hot tub I am told to budget another 8K.


Would love your comments!

We put a ~38k IGP last year and went with small builder that did almost all the work (almost no subs and I liked that aspect) . I knew 2 people thru my employer that has used them so they had very good references. I spoke to several others builders and although I agree they are some used car salesman out there there are also good ones. Trick is to find them.
If you are having to go into a PB blind (no friends etc that have used them) I have an idea, ask them how many they build a year and after you get that answer then ask for the list of last 3 people . That is safer then asking for references because limits the odds they will give you the 3 people that were happy. Make it the last couple pools they have and they have less control. Go talk to those people., I talked to one person and they were happy to talk. If the people are pleased with the job I imagine everyone would be happy to tell you. It is a lot of money and it is worth doing your homework.

You can find a a lot of great info here, ask away if you have any other questions.

Finding the right pool builder is not an easy task. One peice of advice I got after the fact was to get references of the subs they use. Usually they can tell you how good or bad a builder is, if they pay their subs on time. Usually a good company that is financially secure pays their subs on time. A company that is hurting will usually be behind on bills.

Another thing is to look at what features you like best, natural rock vs. simulated rock, pebble tec vs plaster. Some builders will do what they are used to and have a cookie cutter idea of a pool. Others are more flexible and can work with your imagination. The best thing you can do is find a good sales person who will call you back quickly and is responsive to your questions. That is usually a good start.

Also check out the certified pool builders on Pebble Tec's website if you are going with a pebble tec pool.

Eric