Discuss - Make sure the swimming pool cover comes with enough parts to securely anchor the cover without worry of slippage. Most larger swimming pool covers come with a strap or anchor for every four feet of cover.

Customer Service for pool companies is very important indeed and since it is a service business that ought to be obvious to those who are engaged in the cleaning of pools at residences. Yet often we find the service of many pool cleaners to be less than professional as they go about their business, change their route schedules and barge into backyards on incorrect days unannounced or worse at 6:00 in the morning on a non-work day?

Most pool cleaners with any longevity indeed are professional enough and yet it seems finding a good one is not so easy. This is why those who specialize in customer service will always have the largest routes, most number of pools and be in business for the longest time periods.

Discuss - Alkaline powder. Although chlorine in your pool will kill off germs, it will also raise the level of acid in your water.

It is truly amazing how many service companies forget they are in the service business and instead concentrate only on their work quality rather than the customer service part. Indeed, people expect to have a very good job done when they are paying for services.

But part of a service businesses also giving good service and giving good service is not waking your customers up on the weekend in the early mornings or invading their privacy at times when you are not supposed to be there.

Remember it is their home not yours and you are merely a guest who is allowed to come clean their pool in trade for the old mighty dollar. Please consider all this in 2006.

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Discuss - Find a swimming pool cover that is strong and sturdy. The cover should not only keep your swimming pool clean, it should add safety as well for humans and animals alike.

1. How long have you been in business? Pool companies that have been around a long time usually have a good reputation. Usually, but there are exceptions. Always ask for references. And if they have any pools under construction in the area, ask if you can visit the site and talk to the homeowner about their experience so far. Also make sure they are not involved with any pending legal disputes.

2. Have you been in business under any other names? If they have, that could be a red flag that they changed their name because of bad reputation or BBB marks. Be cautious of this builder.

3. Are you a licensed and bonded contractor? Some states do not require licensing, but you will definitely want to find a licensed contractor. Most bad experiences with less-than-ethical pool builders are from homeowners that hire an unlicensed one to save a little money.

4. How much and what types of insurance do you have in place? You will want to make sure that any damage that occurs during installation - to property or people - is covered.

Discuss - Salt water pool systems will use an average of 500 watts of AC power for a 20,000 gallon pool. Copper Ionization systems will use an average of only 40 watts of DC power to treat the same amount of water.

5. Are your warranties spelled out in writing? If they aren’t, beware. If they are, get a copy of it and familiarize yourself with the exclusions and coverage. One of the things to specifically check for is “Acts of God” coverage that covers things out of your control, such as storm damage.

6. Do you provide service after completion? This is important because there will be times you have questions regarding maintenance, and times you will need your pool serviced. You need a good local contact that can help you. The pool company you choose should stand by their service and their service team.

7. Will I be instructed on the operation of my pool? Any answer other than yes is not acceptable. Choose a different pool builder.

Discuss - Copper Ionization systems work within a calcium hardness range of 200-2,000ppm. Because it converts calcium to bicarbonate, the Copper Ionization will eliminate and prevent calcium scaling on pool walls and rock features.

8. Will your crews clean up their messes? Oh yes, installing a pool is quite messy. Make sure the builder knows that you do not want to be the one to clean it up. This includes removing tire tracks from the access point.

9. Who is responsible for any damage to the house or the neighbor’s property? Also, who will repair any irrigation or sprinkler pipes broken during construction? Get this worked out before you move forward with any plans. Better yet, get it in writing.

10. Who applies for and obtains the permits? Get this worked out early. Permits can take a while.

These are only a few of the questions homeowners should have answered by potential pool builders. For more information on choosing, installing and maintaining a pool, visit PoolSpaForum.com

Top 10 Questions to ask a builder before purchasing a swimming pool. Learn what questions to ask at http://www.poolspaforum.com

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