Need a reliable pool builder with years of experience and local expertise? If you’re looking for a swimming pool builder near you, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a reliable professional with a track record of success.
Choosing the wrong pool contractor can lead to unnecessary change orders, unreliable project timelines, and cumbersome delays in building your backyard swimming pool.
Legacy Pools here: Over the last eight years, we’ve built more than 1,500 pools. We’ve seen a thing or two, and we’d like to help make your pool journey as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
If you’re considering a new pool for your backyard, this article covers how to choose a reliable builder and why working with an experienced local pool contractor matters. We’ll discuss the following:
- Questions to ask your pool builder before hiring them
- What qualities and processes to look for in a pool contractor
- Design, timeline, and cost factors to consider
- Why Columbia, SC and South Carolina residents should start planning early for their backyard build
Ready to dive in? Let’s learn about what to look for when hiring the right pool construction team.
Why choosing a local pool builder matters
For custom swimming pools in the Columbia, SC, and Myrtle Beach, SC area, local expertise matters. South Carolina’s subtropical-esque climate is hot and humid, so if you’re building a backyard pool, you want to make sure your pool builder knows the local area’s climate and topography.
- Homeowner association rules
- City guidelines and local municipal zoning laws
- Knowledge of local weather patterns and soil conditions as they pertain to your backyard pool
- Enhancing your outdoor space in line with the region’s aesthetic
- Ensuring an efficient construction process given the topography of your landscape
Choosing a local pool builder matters because local contractors get what outdoor living is like in your area.
No cookie-cutter designs. No delays in project timelines, and no subpar materials.
Local pool builders have the knowledge, expertise, and insight to build a long-lasting pool right the first time so that your pool matches your lifestyle, your home’s aesthetic, and your evolving needs for your backyard space.
Plus, when the time comes for maintenance (and it will), a local pool builder is right around the corner to provide you with quick, efficient, and comprehensive service for your South Carolina backyard pool. Your pool contractor will answer all the burning questions you might have, because they understand what it’s like to live in your area.
Questions to ask your pool builder before hiring
Speaking of burning questions, if you haven’t already compiled a list of questions, here are a few star-studded questions you can ask your local pool builder when vetting them for your backyard build.
- What types of pools do you build?
- Which locations do you serve?
- How long will it take you to build and install the pool?
- Do you take care of permits and excavation?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What costs are excluded from the base price, and how do payments work?
- What is the estimated completion timeline, and how will you handle delays?
- Will I have a direct point of contact throughout the build? What does communication look like throughout the backyard build?
- Do you offer pool financing?
An experienced local pool contractor tends to maintain long-standing partnerships with local vendors, lenders, and contractors to make the entire pool construction process seamless and smooth. They’ll point you to resources that can help simplify the process, all while providing detailed and thorough service.
What to look for in a luxury pool contractor
When hiring a local pool contractor, keep your eyes peeled for the following qualities, characteristics, processes, and tell-tale signs that indicate a reliable pool company.
- Licensure and insurance: Verify that your prospective contractor is licensed, that their license is current & active, and that they are insured.
- References and testimonials: Seek out at least one current and one past reference from your contractor to discover what type of clients and projects they’ve worked on in the past. Feel free to look at reviews on websites like Yelp or Google.
- Payment schedules: Inquire about payment schedules, as well as what payment options your prospective pool contractor provides.
- Materials and equipment: A quality pool contractor works with some of the finest materials and innovative technology. Ask if they have a showroom where you can learn about the different tiles, colors, and designs available.
- Warranties: Determine how long the warranty lasts for pool parts, pool equipment, and the pool shell. Your pool builder should have plenty of information to help you understand the terms and conditions of each warranty.
- Get several quotes: Shop around, interview each candidate, and get a written proposal from your prospective pool contractor. By creating a list and narrowing it down, you’ll feel more confident about your choice and ensure a more timely pool build.
Table: Pool design, timeline, and cost factors to consider
You’ll want to discuss with your pool contractor the following pool design, timeline, and cost checklist items before embarking on a new pool build.
| Pool Design | Project timelines | Pool cost | |
| Factors to consider | 1. Drainage 2. Landscaping 3. How the pool will lay in your yard 4. The size and shape of the pool 5. Ongoing care and maintenance for your pool 6. Your preferred materials | 1. The design and permit phase 2. The excavation and construction phase 3. Coping, tiling, and features & add-ons 4. Final finishes, water fill, walkthrough, and start-up 5. Pool education to help you take care of your pool | 1. Whether you’d prefer to construct a vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete/gunite pool 2. Upfront costs (like materials, automatic pool covers, heaters, tanning ledges, decking, and safety features) 3. Long-term costs (like routine maintenance, utilities, equipment replacements, and pool repairs) 4. Backyard design and landscaping 5. Sustainability features 6. Fencing and homeowners association requirements |
Pool School: Fast facts about your local swimming pool builder🏊🏼♂️
An integral part of the pool building process is Pool School!🎓💧
Pool School is when your pool project manager walks you through how to use and control your pool’s settings, lights, and much more. Some of the best swimming pool builders not only build, but teach you how to care for your backyard pool.
🥽For more information about pool school, or to see what pool school looks like in action, visit our Instagram page here.👈🏼
Why Columbia homeowners should plan early
Whether you’re opting for a fiberglass pool, gunite pool, concrete pool, or vinyl liner pool, you’ll have a more seamless, stress-free experience if you start planning for your custom inground swimming pool early.
Those who plan early for their new pool and spa often experience the following:
- Greater flexibility with timing
- More breathing room and time to make thoughtful design decisions
- Increased opportunity to plan a pool build around other home improvement projects
- Reduced risk of delays in building a pool due to high seasonal pool construction demand (especially in spring)
- More transparent communication, access to materials, and availability of staff
- Peace of mind and confidence knowing that all the nitty-gritty details were addressed with plenty of time to spare
If you live in the Columbia or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area, and you’re looking for a reliable custom pool builder, we’d be happy to help. 100% of our pools are built on time, and all are made with the most durable materials on the market.
If you’re looking for an average backyard pool, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a custom pool design by a team that values top-tier craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional customer service, we’d be happy to help.
To schedule a consultation or request a custom pool estimate, contact us today. A member of our pool installation team will be in touch with you within 24 to 48 hours or less. We look forward to helping you build your dream pool!
☀️Legacy Pools: South Carolina’s Go-To Luxury Swimming Pool Builder💧