spring2018

Pool construction:
What you must consider
Like many home improvement projects,
having a swimming pool put in your backyard
is usually a complicated endeavor. Because
of this, you want to make sure to choose
a licensed contractor who’s experienced
and reliable, as well as have a written,
comprehensive contract in place.
California law requires that contractors who
build swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs
have a valid C-53 swimming pool license
issued by the Contractors State License
Board (CSLB). Be sure to ask to see proof of
a contractor’s license along with valid photo
identification, and check their license on the
CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov.
When searching for a contractor, ask for
references from friends and family and from
trade associations. Once you narrow down
your search, get bids from at least three
different contractors, as well as request
information regarding past clients and contact
them for feedback.
and dimensions; construction and equipment
specifications; and clean-up details. Don’t
sign anything until you fully understand all
the terms.
Another important tip: Be careful about “frontloading,”
where contractors take excessive
down payments or money for work before it’s
completed. When you pay a contractor for
work that hasn’t been done, you risk getting
stuck with an incomplete job and then having
to pay someone else to finish it. According
to CSLB, pay no more than 10 percent or
$1,000 down, whichever is less, and don’t
pay in cash.
For more tips, read the CSLB publication
Before You Dive In: A Consumer Guide
to Swimming Pool Construction at
www.cslb.ca.gov and click on “Guides and
Publications” under “Popular Pages.”
To avoid any misunderstandings between you
and your contractor, get all project details in
writing. The written contract should include
items such as a description of the work and
the materials and equipment that will be used;
a plan and scale drawing of the shape, size,
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