Parkwood Pools, Inc., is family owned and operated. We provide quality pool and paver construciton to South Florida. We are your one-stop shop for all of your outdoor needs.

1. How To Hire A Excellent Swimming Pool Company & Lower Your Costs
At Parkwood Pools we recognise that when you hire a pool contractor to do work on your swimming
pool, you need things done properly and at a affordable price.
Over the last Thirty years, we’ve seen an endless number of customers not obtain the results they
wanted by working with a ‘jack of all trades pool company’ that said they could accomplish about every
thing when it came to swimming pools. In actuality, they could do a lot…. of damage, that is!
So, to protect your self from getting conned by a pool builder, we ask you to make sure you take these
actions:
1. Verify the Swimming pool Contractor’s Insurance coverage
A pool contractor’s workers compensation insurance helps to protect you if a employee is hurt on your
property. Liability Insurance covers you if any of your property is damaged.
The pool business which you opt for shouldn’t have any problems with you getting in touch with the
insurance company to be certain that the contractor’s insurance is up to date.
You may also request to have your name on the insurance certificate. By having your name on the
certificate, you'll be notified if the contractor cancels the policy during your project.
2. Verify the Swimming pool Contractor’s License
The good thing is this is very simple to do. To check out your pool contractor’s license just go to
www.sunbiz.org. If a license is applicable for your project, the state may help protect you in case there is
poor craftsmanship. If a permit is required, ensure that the contractor obtains it. If you employ a
contractor without insurance or a license, you’re playing with fire.
3. Get Estimates & Warranties in Writing
Get all warranty information and prices in writing. It helps you make certain that the contractor knows
exactly what you’re seeking out and, it’s very important for both you and the contractor to prevent any
misunderstandings over specifically what you want done.
Also, you want to make sure that there are no hidden costs or fees. Anything that the contractor is
billing you for has to be in writing. You also want to know what is included in the warranty, how long the
warranty is good for, and what type of payment the contractor will take.

2. 4. Verify References
Before you even start your research, it’s beneficial to ask for referrals. Nonetheless, the key here is to
not feel compelled to use someone that your family recommends even though they recommended
them we strongly encourage our customers to check our references or to talk with past customers and
ask them if they would employ us again, verify that we obtained the job done on time and also ask if
there was anything they didn’t like about our work.
If you simply abide by these steps, you’ll be a lot better off than most people employing Pool
Contractors in Sunrise Florida. And you’ll spend less on the cost of the job now and in the future.
What You Must Know
While the law can provide some protection from fraudulent or incompetent contractors, it doesn’t
guarantee truthful transactions or perfect performance. Protect your investment by being an well
informed, cautious consumer.
All registered contractors should always carry general liability insurance coverage.
A contractor really should have a active business license, and if the contractor has employees, they must
have workers’ compensation coverage.
Before you hire a swimming pool contractor:
Plan your project very carefully. Once you know what you would like done and can clearly explain it,
you’re less likely to not understand information or experience cost overruns.
Ask for work references and then check them out. If possible, view the work, meet the property owner
and check out a site with work in progress. Request references of suppliers that the contractor works
together with and check out her or his payment record. Request a copy of the contractor’s insurance
policy to confirm what is included. Evaluate all the elements of the bids, including the scope of work,
warranties, references, time frames and price.
Attempt to anticipate complications and inconveniences, like cost overrun or cleanup, and come to an
understanding with your contractor regarding how they will be handled prior to when the work begins.
After you've selected a contractor or remodeler:
1. Obtain 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.

3. 2. Make frequent inspections and consult your local building department about necessary permits.
Make sure that all permits are in place and that inspections are in order.
3. When advancing money for materials, it might 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 advances. Stay clear of verbal contracts,
and be very cautious about paying for work that has not been finished.
5. Obtain signed lien releases from all of the major subcontractors and suppliers on your job before
making final payments.
Other Details You’ll need to know when employing a Pool Contractor!
• If a contractor is presently registered and for how long.
• If there's any unresolved or past action against a contractor’s bond.
• Various other business names a contractor could have worked under in the past.
• If a contractor has ever been cited for infractions.
Be leery of contractors who:
• Provide credentials or referrals that can’t be confirmed.
• Offer a special price as long as you sign today or use other high-pressure sales methods.
• Accept just cash, require large deposits or the complete cost up-front or ask you to make the
payment in their name.
• Do not provide you with a written arrangement or full bid.
• Asks you to acquire the building permit. In most cases, the contractor is required to acquire the
permits. Permits are your protection and help ensure that work will meet local building codes.
• Offer you very lengthy extended warranties.
• Wants to try and do most or everything on the weekends and after-hours.
• Gives an offer that appears to be "too wonderful to be legitimate."

4. Guard your self with permits!
• Building Permits
• Electrical Permits
Keep away from lien issues
• If any dealer of materials, worker or subcontractor isn't paid off, a lien could be filed against
your residence to force you to pay. You might pay 2 times for the same work. Or worse yet, an past due
lien can lead to foreclosure on your home. (For renovating jobs, liens can only be filed for the amount
left unpaid to the general contractor.)
• If you have a "notice of intent" to submit a lien on your real estate property, ask your general
contractor to provide you with lien release documents from the supplier or subcontractor who's sent
this notice. The contractor must supply you with more details about lien release documents if you ask
for it.
Some Good Things to ask when Committing to a Pool Contractor
• Do they handle jobs of your size? ?
• Are they willing to provide financial references, from providers or banks?
• Are they going to offer you a list of prior clients?
• How many other projects would they also have going at the same time?
• How long have they worked with their sub-contractors?
The answers to these questions can tell you their availability, dependability, just how much attention
they're going to be capable of giving your project and also just how smoothly the job may go.
Get together Face-to-face
It's crucial that you two interact well because this person could be in your house or place of work for
hours at a time. Having said that, don't let personality trick you. Check in with your state's consumer
protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau to ensure that the Pool Contractors in South
Florida do not have a history of disputes with clients or sub-contractors.
A Good Quality Builder Will:

5. • Set a Payment Schedule
Payment schedules may well provide you with a hint of the contractor's economic position and work
ethic. If they want half the quote up-front, they may have financial problems or be nervous that you
simply won't pay the rest once you have seen the work. For large jobs, a schedule usually starts with 10
percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the period of the project
and a check for the final 15 percent when you feel every item on the punch list has been completed.
• Put it in Writing
A great 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 protect 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 productive renovation.
• Finally, understand 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.
Do not Be enticed by These Contractor Lines
1. This offer expires right away.
The majority bids are good for Four weeks so clients can mull over decisions and get loans.
2. You receive a rebate if we use your house as a model for our work.
A sales scam, this price is usually higher than the quote you’d get elsewhere.
3. I’ll supply you with a price just from looking.
Bids come in writing, and only after cautious inspection. If you don’t know what the estimate is based
on, how could you negotiate a superior deal?

6. 4. I don’t give out details for past clients.
A good licensed contractor is happy to provide you with personal references. Be sure that you followup
and make sure that those clients are content with the work.
5. A simple handshake can do.?
Obtain it in writing. A contract safeguards both you and your contractor should some thing go wrong.
6. I’ll cut you a deal if you pay with cash.
A contractor can reduce his rate by not reporting your transaction as revenue and, therefore, by not
paying taxes. This is fraud.
7. You’ll should get the work permits.
A contractor who can’t get permits for a job probably isn’t licensed in your area, or his license was
revoked.
8. For an extra fee, I’ll supply you with a warranty.
Guarantees are built into most contracts at no charge and cover the job for a specified period, usually
one year.