7 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Pool Builder

7 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Pool Builder

If you’re planning to build a backyard pool, then you’re going to need the right professional team to do it right. Choosing the right contractor is vital, as it can mean the difference between a high-quality pool that brings years of enjoyment and endless delays in the building process and a pool that needs repairs or resurfacing soon after it’s installed.


At Waterclear Pools, we’ve worked with thousands of clients across Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and all throughout Northwest Arkansas, delivering high-quality pools with clear, efficient, and collaborative processes.


As such, we know a thing or two about how make a project go well, as well as the pitfalls that can get in the way. That’s why we’re taking a look at 7 mistakes homeowners make when hiring a pool builder.

Poolside view of a stone house with a pool, sunbathers, and surrounding greenery on a sunny day.

1. Choosing Based On Price Alone

Building a pool can be a significant financial commitment, with custom gunite pools typically starting at the $50,000~ range and up. As such, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to want to reduce prices by choosing the most affordable construction team. However, those that offer the lower prices up front might have a different story to tell when it comes time for a full quote.


Others may simply cut corners when it comes to structural engineering, material quality, or hiring the skilled labor they need. All of these can result in worse quality pool construction.


At Wateclear Pools, we put our pricing up front, with custom quotes in about 72 hours, so you have a clear and thorough expectation of the project’s scope and costs.

2. Not Checking The Builder’s Experience

Costs aside, experience is one of the biggest determining factors in the quality of work you can expect from a pool construction team. It’s not just about how much experience they have, but what kind of experience they have, as well. Some might have the chops for smaller residential projects, but the more complex your needs, the further out of their comfort zone it takes them.


Waterclear Pools has worked with thousands of clients, including nationally recognized resort brands and large-scale communities. This experience includes a wide range of residential projects of all shapes, sizes, and feature requirements. 


3. Overlooking Project Timelines

If you don’t ask about project timelines, you find yourself surprised to be unable to access your garden for months. Get to know what your chosen team’s typical timeline is, and ask about past projects.


Some companies can leave you waiting for ages due to scheduling delays or a lack of organization. On the other hand, Waterclear Pools completes 99% of its projects within six weeks or less once construction begins. Either way, clear expectations and communication of timelines can be vital to a stress-free pool construction.


4. Ignoring Ease Of Communication

Thorough communication is vital to any construction project. Not paying attention to it in the planning stages can leave you with contractors who are difficult to reach or don’t offer clear answers about the project’s process.


Pay attention to the initial consultation and how you get in touch with them, especially how promptly they respond to queries. At Waterclear Pools, we ensure homeowners are kept in the loop every step of the way from beginning to end.

5. Not Considering Long-Term Ownership

A pool isn’t something that you build and forget about. It’s a long-lasting part of the home that should provide peace, play, and a place to relax for decades to come. Aside from choosing experienced pool builders who use quality materials, consider the kind of support they provide.


At Waterclear Pools, we have a Pool School program, which covers equipment operation, maintenance basics, and system management to help pool owners feel confident about caring for their pool for years to come.

6. Rushing Through The Design Process

If you or your chosen builder are eager to get through the design as quickly as possible, that’s not the sign of a good build. Your pool should be carefully planned to fit both your lifestyle needs and the property itself.


With our custom pool building process, we ensure in-depth collaboration, working closely with homeowners to design pools that complement the surrounding landscape and fulfill their wants. 

7. Neglecting The Logistics

When we build a pool, we take the time to learn more about the work site, equipment access, and how much preparation the land might require to integrate the pool thoroughly.

Without that, you can end up with a project that isn’t well designed for its surrounding area, or is rife with delays due to problems popping up.


Request A Quote Today

With the above 7 mistakes homeowners make when hiring a pool builder, hopefully, you have a better idea of the pitfalls to avoid and the importance of working with the right pool building team. Waterclear Pools is here with the experience, the dedication to thorough project planning, and the customer-first approach that you need, so use the quote request form on this page to get in touch.


Waterclear Pools

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7 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Pool Builder