While installing a swimming pool we often overlook the responsibility of cleaning and maintenance that comes with it. You would not want your beautiful backyard oasis to turn into a grimy and greenish pond that exudes a pungent smell, would you? To prevent this from happening, the issue needs to be addressed immediately. Most homeowners prefer a reliable pool cleaning service contractor rather than taking on the colossal headache of handling the project themselves. It is wise because professionals know more about pool-related problems than any homeowner could ever learn. But not all pool contractors offer the same quality of work. To hire the best pool cleaning service contractor, follow the guidelines we have noted down below.
1. Look for Experienced Professionals.
What sets professional work apart from amateurish work is the years of experience in the field. Experienced professionals are more proficient at not only diagnosing the problem but also finding the best possible solution. This is something you cannot expect from a relatively newer service provider. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are always unreliable, but it is better to go with the safer option.
2. Ask for a Proven Track Record
What better way to test the brand’s proficiency and competence than to look back at their work history? It allows you to find out the company’s strengths and weaknesses, making it easier for you to make a sound decision. If the company is reluctant in providing the record, it is safe to assume that there is something fishy. In such a case, run and never come back to such a pool cleaning service contractor.
3. Check Customer Testimonials
While these testimonials are not always 100% reliable, they can surely give you an idea about the quality of the services. Look for pool cleaning service professionals that have at least more than 80% positive customer reviews.
On the other hand, if the company’s review section is jam-packed with only positives, it is a huge red flag. That’s because many companies resort to paid reviews to look better than they actually are and many fall into their trap. Therefore, look for reliable places to find out the reviews and make the decision accordingly.
The company usually has its own review section on its digital platform, but it is better to look for third-party review sites like Yelp, Google, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, and Thumbtack.
4. Settle on Reliable and Friendly Customer Service
How good are they at listening to your concerns? Are they willing to go out of their way to help you? Do they sound friendly and inviting while communicating? Do they answer queries politely? All these factors will indicate whether the company has a customer-centric approach or not.
Dealing with a reliable and friendly pool cleaning service contractor will be an experience worth having. They will listen to your needs and requirements and will communicate the solutions with you properly — not to mention, they will make you feel like your opinion matters rather than imposing their ideas on you.
5. Avoid Companies with Overpriced Chemical Treatments
The chemical treatment is given under either a flat rate or changeable rate cost. With the former, the charges are fixed no matter the amount of chemical utilized in the process. However, the changeable rate cost fluctuates, depending on the chlorine used. But sometimes, they charge many times the retail cost, which is a complete rip-off.
Avoid such deals that can potentially end up turning into a financial disaster. Make sure you have discussed the terms of chemical treatment before signing up for the deal to avoid surprise charges in the end.
6. Check for Valid License and Insurance
Having a valid license indicates that the company is legally allowed to operate in the state. It also means that it has fulfilled the necessary qualification requirements, making it more reliable than unlicensed service providers. Not all pool cleaning service contractors are required to apply for a license. For instance, if you are just dealing with cleaning part of the pool and not the repairs and replacement, then there is no need for a certification in most areas. If your intended project includes heavy-duty tasks, it is best to choose a company with a valid certification.
In addition to this, insurance also plays an important role when it comes to hiring a reliable pool cleaning service. Not always things go as planned, and anything on your property can get damaged or broken. In such an unfortunate event, the company will be responsible for the damage and will repay for the loss — only if it is insured. The same goes for when a worker gets injured on your property. Therefore, check the insurance and read the policies thoroughly to make sure that they are willing to cover the damages.
7. Consider the Long- and Short-Term Options
At a single glance, one-time services seem cheaper, but in reality, they are not. You would be surprised to find out that monthly contractors cost far less than the added cost of separate one-time cleaning sessions.
Pool cleaning service companies give both options — long-term and short-term. If you are not DIYing the cleaning and maintenance and are totally reliant on the company, getting a monthly contract will prove fruitful. On the other hand, if you handle some of the tasks yourself, you can just call the professionals whenever something serious comes up.
8. Look for Honest Communication and Transparent Costs
Companies that keep you in the dark right till the end are more likely to bomb you with additional hidden charges in the end. That is a common practice amongst fraudulent pool cleaning service providers to leech off as much money as they can from their clients.
A reliable company, on the opposite, will resort to honest communication. You will be informed of all the additional charges that can come up during the project so that you can budget accordingly. Make sure you are charged with the agreed price that does not fluctuate much from the initial estimation.
