How To Hire A Superior Swimming Pool Business & Save Some Money
At Parkwood Pools we realise that whenever you employ a pool company to perform work
on your swimming pool, you will need things done right and at a acceptable price.
Over the last Thirty years, weve seen lots of clients not obtain the results they envisioned by signing on with a jack of all trades swimming pool company who said they could accomplish about every thing when it came to pools. In reality, they could do a lot. of destruction, that is!
So, to safeguard your self from getting conned by a swimming pool specialist, we ask you to make sure you take these basic steps:
1. Verify the Swimming pool Contractors Insurance coverage
A swimming pool contractors workers compensation insurance safeguards you if a workman is seriously injured on your property. Liability Insurance defends you if any of your property is damaged.
The swimming pool business which you opt for shouldnt have any issues with you phoning the insurance company to be certain that the contractors insurance is recent.
You are also able to request to have your name on the insurance certification. By having your name on the certificate, you're going to be notified if the contractor cancels the policy during your project.
2. Validate the Swimming pool Contractors License
The good thing is this is very simple to do. To check out your pool contractors license go to www.sunbiz.org. If a license is applicable for your project, the state may help protect you in the event of poor craftsmanship. If a permit is required, make perfectly sure that the contractor obtains it. If you employ a contractor without being insured or a license, youre playing with fire.
4. Get Estimates & Warranties in Writing
Get all extended warranties and bids in writing. It helps you make sure that the contractor knows everything that youre looking for and, its really important for both you and the contractor to prevent any misunderstandings over precisely what you like done.
Also, you have to be certain that there aren't any hidden costs or fees. EVERYTHING that the contractor is billing you for should really be in writing. You also want to determine what is included in the warranty, the length of time the warranty is good for, and what method of payment the contractor will take.
5. Check References
Before you even start your search, its beneficial to ask for referrals. However, the key here is to not feel compelled to use someone that your peer recommends even though they recommended them we strongly encourage our clients to check our references or to talk with past customers and ask them if they would employ us again, verify that we got the job done on time and also ask if there was anything they didnt like about our work.
If you only abide by these steps, youll be a lot better off than a lot of people hiring a swimming pool contractor. And youll save money on the cost of the job now and in the future.
What You'll Want To Know
While the law will provide some protection from fraudulent or incompetent contractors, it doesnt guarantee truthful transactions or perfect performance. Take care of your investment by being an informed, cautious consumer.
All registered contractors needs to carry general liability insurance coverage.
A contractor should have a active business license, and if the contractor has employees, he or she must have workers compensation coverage.
Before you employ a pool contractor:
Plan your project very carefully. If you know what you want done and can clearly explain it, youre unlikely to misunderstand information or encounter cost overruns.
Require individual references and then check them out. If you can, see the work, employment interview the property owner and go to the site with work in progress. Ask for references of suppliers that the contractor works with and check out his or her payment record. Request a copy of the contractors insurance policy to confirm what is covered. Review all the aspects of the bids, such as the scope of work, warranties, references, time frames and price.
Try and foresee issues and inconveniences, for instance cost overrun or cleanup, and come to an agreement with your contractor about how they'll be handled before the work begins.
Once you have selected a contractor or remodeler:
1. Get a written contract which includes price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees (if applicable), the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties and start and end date. It is also a good idea to include change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and cleanup.
2. Make regular inspections and consult your local building department about required permits. Make certain that all permits are in place and that inspections are in order.
3. When advancing money for materials, it may be possible to make checks payable to both the contractor and the supply house or to pay the supply house directly.
4. Put all change orders in writing and ask questions as work progresses. Keep away from verbal contracts, and be very careful of paying for work that has not been finished.
5. Request signed lien releases from all major subcontractors and suppliers on your job prior to making final payments.
Other Factors Youll want to find out when finding a Swimming pool Contractor!
If a contractor is currently registered and for how long.
If there's any pending or past action against a contractors bond.
Different business names a contractor might have worked under in the past.
If a contractor has ever been cited for infractions.
Be suspicious of contractors who:
Provide credentials or work references that cant be validated.
Offer an exclusive price only if you sign today or use other high-pressure sales tactics.
Accept just cash, need large deposits or the entire cost up-front or request you to make the payment in their name.
Do not offer a written contract or comprehensive estimate.
Asks you to pick up the building permit. In most cases, the contractor is required to take out the permits. Permits are your protection and help ensure that work will meet local building codes.
Will offer you very lengthy extended warranties.
Expects to try and do most or all the work on weekends and after-hours.
Delivers you an offer that appears to be "too good to be authentic."
Safeguard yourself with permits!
Building Permits
Electrical Permits
Avoid lien issues
If any provider of supplies, worker or subcontractor isn't payed off, a lien can be filed against your home to force you to pay. You could pay a second time for the same work. Or more serious, an unsettled lien can result in foreclosure on your your home. (For redecorating tasks, liens can only be declared the amount left past due to the general contractor.)
If you discover a "notice of intent" to register a lien on your house, ask your general contractor to present you with lien release documents from the supplier or subcontractor who has sent this notice. The contractor should supply you with more details about lien release documents if you ask for it.
Some Good Things to ask when Working with a
Pool Contractors in South FloridaDo they accept projects of your size? ?
Are they able to deliver financial referrals, from vendors or banks?
Can they provide a list of prior clients?
How many other undertakings might they have going at the same time?
How long have they dealt with their sub-contractors?
The solutions to these concerns can tell you the business's availability, reliability, exactely how much attention they will be capable of giving the project and also just how efficiently the job ought to go.
Connect Face-to-face
It's imperative you two interact well because this person might be at your house . or place of business for days at a time. Nevertheless, never allow personality mislead you. Check in with your state's consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau to be sure that the contractors haven't got a history of disagreements with customers or sub-contractors.
An Outstanding Professional Will:
Set a Payment Schedule
Payment schedules are also able to give you a hint of the contractor's financial position and work ethic. Whenever they want half the quote up-front, they could have financial difficulties or be worried that you may not pay the rest after you've seen the work. For large assignments, a schedule usually starts with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the length of the project and a check for the final 15 percent as soon as you feel every item on the punch list has been completed.
Put it in Writing
A great licensed contractor will draft a contract that details every step of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which safeguard you if he doesn't pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract isn't about mistrust; it's about insuring a good renovation.
Lastly, keep in mind that as soon as a change is made or a problem uncovered, the price just increased and the project just got longer. The four most expensive words in the English language? "While you're at it...."
Also Remember Don't Let Price Be Your Guide
Beyond technical competence, comfort should play an equal or greater role in your decision. The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it's better to spend more and get someone you're comfortable with.
You shouldn't Fall for These Contractor Lines
1. This offer expires immediately.
A good number of bids are good for Calendar month so clients can mull over decisions and get loans.
2. You get a rebate if we use your house as a model for our work.
A sales trick, this price is usually higher than the quote youd get elsewhere.
3. Ill provide you a price just from looking.
Bids come in writing, and only after careful inspection. If you dont know what the estimate is based on, how can you work out a better deal?
4. I dont give out information for previous clients.
A great service provider is happy to offer you personal references. It is important to follow-up and confirm that those clients are content with the work.
5. A simple handshake is going to do.?
Obtain it in writing. A contract helps to protect you and your contractor should something go wrong.
6. Ill cut you a deal if you pay with cash.
A contractor can reduce his rate by not reporting your transaction as source of income and, therefore, by not having to pay taxes. This is fraud.
7. Youll need to get the work permits.
A contractor who cant get permits for a job probably isnt licensed in your area, or his license was revoked.
8. For an extra fee, Ill provide you a guaranty.
Guarantees are built into most contracts at no charge and cover the project for a specified period, usually one year.
by: David Adams
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