When it comes to adding a swimming pool to your house, the decision to opt for a swimming pool contractor or a general contractor always ends up in confusion. Since the process is complex, you would want someone to do it the right way. To help you out, we are going to discuss the difference between a swimming pool builder and a general contractor in detail. Let’s begin!

Why Choose A General Contractor?

Creative Designs

As mentioned earlier, general contractors are involved with multiple projects on a daily basis. They transform, redesign and build kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas. This allows them to be more creative and helps turn visions into reality.

Thinking out of the box helps them translate their projects, including pool installation and construction. Adding features like LED lighting, princess decks, spillover spas, tanning ledges, etc. is something they can do without blinking an eye.

One-Stop Shopping

Most pool projects include mini-construction projects such as planting, decking, outdoor patios, lighting, etc. In most cases, pool contractors are not allowed to offer these services as they have a single pool contractor’s license.

However, a general contractor will be licensed by the State License Board, which means he/she will be able to provide multiple services. Hence, one-stop shopping.

Qualified Contractors

When working with qualified contractors, you can expect professional results and clear communication. In some cases, pool companies tend to subcontract their projects as well, leaving the customers in the dark about who will be working on the pool and how much time it is going to take.

At the same time, there is a high chance that there is miscommunication between the pool contractor and the customer. The customer might end up explaining everything from the beginning, which will kill the entire purpose.

However, when looking for qualified contractors, you should opt for someone who possesses relevant certifications and licenses along with insurance. This way, if something were to go wrong, you are not left hanging in the middle.

Why Choose A Swimming Pool Contractor?

Experience

The first thing you need to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a swimming pool contractor is experience. General contractors may have built pools but their expertise may not match the high standard of swimming pool builders. Whereas, swimming pool contractors specifically work on building pools and spas, which gives them an edge in terms of details.

Furthermore, if you were to choose a general contractor for your swimming pool, it is highly likely that the task is handed over to another team which can cause delays due to a lack of technical skills and knowledge. On the other hand, expert pool builders are masters of their domain and have years (sometimes, decades) of pool designing and building experience. As a result, they are better at handling external factors or any other situations that might put the entire job at risk.

Quality

The next important factor is quality. If you opt for a general contractor, the quality of your swimming pool may be compromised. They usually sub the process and it can result in miscommunication and mistakes. And if you are building a custom pool, the last thing you would want is the general contractor sacrificing the quality as they are distracted by several things at a time.

Meanwhile, the pool builders take all the time they need and focus on a single project at a time. They are continuously in touch with the customer so that the customer is also in the same boat.

Reputation

And finally, you would want to make sure that the company or the contractor building your pool is reputable in terms of carrying all the necessary certifications and licenses. You can ask for referrals or read reviews online. Once you have multiple options, interview the contractors and ask them to show their portfolios. This will give you an idea of what they have been doing in the past.

Final Word

Both general contractors and pool contractors Long Island have their pros and cons. At the end of the day, it comes down to your needs and preferences and the type of pool you want to build. However, what you should ensure is that whoever works on your project, should have sufficient skills, knowledge, and expertise to get things done just the way you had imagined.