What type of pool is best; Vinyl or Gunite (Concrete).

What we find to be much more important than the type of pool is the builder. The builder will have a much greater effect on the quality of the pool than the type of pool. The best type of pool can be a never-ending source of problems if it is not constructed correctly. You should spend a great deal of time investigating the builder.

Your first source for checking out a builder should be your neighbors and friends who have pools. Ask who built their pool and how the job went. Did the builder do what he said he would do? Was he there when he said he would be? If a problem occured, did the builder solve it to their satisfaction in a timely manner? Most large building projects such as a pool will encounter problems. How the builder deals with these problems shows how good he is. After the pool is built, how did the builder handle any warranty problems?

Your next source should be the trade and other organizations. Check with your local chapter of the National Pool & Spa Institute (NSPI) to make sure the builder is a member in good standing and follow their guidelines. Check with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see how the builder handled any complaints. Again, remember that any builder who has been in business for more than a couple of years and has built a number of pools will probably have some complaints filed against him. What's important is how those complaints were resolved. You can also check with your local builder's association to see if your builder is a member.

It is very important that you take the time to look at pools that your prospective builder has built. Ideally, look at pools that are 5-10 years old. This will allow you to see how the pools hold up over time. While the builder should have pools to show you, you should try to find pools on your own. The builder is only going to show you the good ones! If your friends or neighbors don't have pools to show you, try your local building and permits office. Depending on their set-up, you should be able to look up permits for pools that were built and who built them. Then call the homeowner and ask about the builder and if you can come by and look at the pool.

Now, check out the builder's storefront (if they have one). Does it look professional or is it a dump? This can tell you a lot about their quality of work. Do they have a store that can service your needs after your pool is built? Do they have a service department? Find out if your salesperson is still your contact when construction begins, or are you turned over to another person. If so, you should meet that person and make sure you are comfortable with him/her.

Finally, visit some jobs the builder has under construction and look carefully. While a construction site is never pretty, you can tell a lot about the quality of work. Are materials piled neatly ready for use or are they strewn about the site haphazardly. Is there a trash pile or is the trash strewn about or worse, thrown in the hole to be buried. Do they seem to care about the owner's yard and try to keep the destruction to a minimum? Talk to the workmen about how long they have worked for the builder and how they like it. You will be amazed at how honest they can be sometimes.