Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Pool Service Company

            A pool in the backyard can be one of the most enjoyable investments you can make for yourself and your family.  When it comes to proper maintenance of your pool and equipment, hiring a professional will allow you to regain some time back in your hectic schedule and provide you with peace of mind.  When hiring a pool cleaning company, ask the below questions to ensure you hire someone you trust with your family’s safety and investment. 

1.     Are you licensed and insured?

a.     This should be common practice when hiring anyone that is in your home or on your property, but unfortunately, we see too many examples of when a homeowner is put into a bad position because a service provider does not have adequate, or current, insurance.  It is also important that your pool service company is appropriately registered with your local offices.  This helps to ensure there is proper oversight to their business and business practices.

b.     The pool service industry can be more complicated than it appears when it comes to insurance.  Keep in mind, pool service companies are handling different chemicals, accessing private property, and working with equipment that can run into the thousands of dollars.  Having insurance that is customized to the pool industry is critical.  At POOLfection LLC, we partner with the Swimming Pool Pro Alliance that specializes in the pool and spa industry.

2.     Do you service weekly?

a.     Many companies try to convince clients that servicing a pool every other week is just as effective as weekly service.  This is just not accurate.  The chemistry of your pool is very delicate and fluctuates after every time someone goes swimming, it rains, or even simple things such as when pollen is heavy.

b.     POOLfection services each clients pool weekly to not only ensure the water is clear, but that the water chemistry is appropriately balanced.  Pool water can be clear, but the actual water chemistry can be way off.  When this happens, the surface of the pool and equipment can be in harms way.  The damaged that can be caused here can create substantial repair bills. 

3.     How are the techs trained? 

a.     Proper pool maintenance takes a balance of hard work, knowledge, and experience.  Always ask about the training the techs receive around water chemistry, equipment, and safety.  In addition to pool care knowledge, you also want to know who is in your backyard.  And if each tech is background checked.

b.     At POOLfection, we take pride that our techs receive the best training in the industry.  Each tech is a Certified Pool Operator which includes both hands on and classroom training.  Each tech must also pass an exam to become certified.  CPO certification is the gold standard in the pool industry for safety, quality, and effectiveness.  In addition to this industry leading training, every tech at POOLfection is background checked.

4.     What is done at each service?

a.     Most clients are curious on what exactly does their pool tech does.  Make sure that you ask about what services will be completed as part of your agreement and the frequency of each.  Many low-cost pool companies will only check chemicals and spot clean the pool. Anything above this will only be done with an incremental fee.  Filter cleanings, o-ring replacement, water conditioning, etc are all things that need routine maintenance.

b.     POOLfection creates a custom pool maintenance program for each client based on their pool and their expectations.  This ensure the client understands everything that is part of their service plan.  An additional feature our clients love is the e-mailed recap after every service that outlines everything that was completed on that visit and a picture of their pool. 

5.     Is there a contract?

a.     It is important to know if your pool service company will require a contract, and if they do, how long is the commitment.  Ideally, the service level will be clearly outlined in the contract and both the client, and the pool cleaner will be on the same page.  However, what if the client is not happy with the service?  How do you end the contract?  Is there a time restriction on canceling the contract?  Can you just send an e-mail, or is the cancellation process more structured?

b.     POOLfection wants our clients to be so happy with their service that they do not want to look for another pool cleaning company.  Due to this, POOLfection does not hold our clients to a contract.

There are a ton of great swimming pool cleaning companies out there, but you want to ensure you go beyond just what pops up when you Google, “pool service near me”.  Take the time to ask a few questions up front to ensure that the pool cleaning company you trust your family’s safety and enjoyment can answer the above questions to your satisfaction.