CHOOSING THE RIGHT POOL BUILDER
Updated January 2025
Designing and building a custom swimming pool in your backyard is an exciting venture,
but it's also a significant commitment of time and money. If you have never designed and built a swimming pool before, it's essential to do your research. One of the first and most important decisions you will face is choosing the right swimming pool designer and builder. Hands down, you want a professional, and you want a builder with experience because every single backyard is different.
Let's explore what to consider when selecting the right pool designer and builder for your project.
1 / State Licensing
Each state has its own requirements,
but in Maryland, it's important to ensure that the company you choose to work with holds an MHIC license, it is the law.
MHIC stands for the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, which is responsible for licensing and regulating home improvement contractors to protect consumers. The Commission operates a Guaranty Fund, which is supported by licensed contractors. These contractors pay a Guaranty Fund assessment when they obtain their Home Improvement license and each time they renew it. This Fund provides compensation to homeowners for financial losses resulting from poor workmanship or failure to fulfill a home improvement contract.
It's advisable to verify a contractor's license number, which you can do on the Maryland Department of Labor website. Here at Browning we hold an MHIC Contractors License #1377 and also require our sales team to hold an MHIC salesperson license.
This license helps ensure that consumers are dealing with qualified individuals who understand the state's home improvement regulations.
2 / Professionally Certified - CBP - Certified Building Professional
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is the oldest and largest association representing swimming pool professionals, previously known as APSP. The CBP designation is awarded to builders who meet the rigorous requirements set by the PHTA. This includes successfully completing a nationally recognized standardized written examination that assesses technical competence, client relations mastery, and a commitment to the PHTA's standards for swimming pool construction and installation.
3 / See Their Work For Yourself
Request to see some of the pools they have designed and installed. Are they willing and able to show you pools they have built, including clients who will allow you to visit their backyards to see their work firsthand?
In conclusion, deciding to install a swimming pool is the easy part. The challenge lies in finding a reliable professional to handle the project, which requires some research on your part. While achieving the desired aesthetic is important, there are many unseen factors that significantly impact the pool's functionality.
Considerations such as hydraulic design, pipe size, flow rates, filter and pump types, and chemical management systems are crucial.
Make sure you are working with an experienced professional who understands these complexities.
Ready to get started or have questions?