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!