How do I choose a pool resurfacing contractor?

Choose a contractor who holds the right Virginia licence, can show you finished pool resurfacing jobs, and will put the finish, price, schedule, warranty and permit plan in a written contract. Check the licence on DPOR's website yourself, call local references, keep the deposit small and hold back final payment until the work is done.

Check the licence first

Virginia requires a valid contractor's licence in the right category for work valued at $1,000 or more.^[1] Hiring a licensed contractor makes you eligible to receive money from the Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund in case of improper or dishonest conduct, and DPOR warns that with an unlicensed contractor, the Board for Contractors may not be able to help you resolve a complaint.^[1]

Which licence? Under the Board for Contractors' regulations, the swimming pool construction contracting specialty provides for the construction, repair, improvement or removal of in-ground swimming pools, and the CBC, RBC and H/H classifications and the RFC specialty also provide for this function.^[2] The same rule says no plumbing, electrical, backflow or HVAC work is included in the pool specialty,^[2] so equipment work on the same job needs the right trade licence as well.

The class matters too. A Class C contractor handles a single contract over $1,000 but less than $30,000, and a Class B contractor handles one of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000.^[3]

DPOR warns that a licence number in an advertisement or on a business card does not necessarily mean the licence is valid, and tells you to check with the Board for Contractors.^[1] Use the licence lookup on DPOR's website, and see how to check a contractor's licence.

Look at the work and call references

DPOR advises asking the contractor for local references and calling them to see if they were satisfied, and if possible going out to look at finished projects.^[1] For a pool, ask to see a pool resurfaced a year or two ago, not only a fresh one, because the problems that matter, such as roughness, stains, hollow spots and cracks, show up with time. Ask the owner how the contractor handled the start-up chemistry and anything unexpected found once the pool was empty.

Ask these questions

• Which finish do you propose, from which manufacturer, and what does the warranty cover and who honors it?
• How will you remove and repair the old surface?
• How will you handle groundwater while the pool is empty? The Virginia Department of Health's Portsmouth pool guide says in-ground pools should have hydrostatic relief valves to relieve groundwater pressure on the pool shell.^[4]
• Where will the drained water go? The EPA says to check local regulations before draining pool water into sanitary or storm sewers or onto your property.^[5]
• Who handles the refill and the chemistry after the new finish goes in?
• What happens if you find a leak or hidden damage?
• Who applies for the permit, if one is required?

Permits

The building officials in each locality administer the Uniform Statewide Building Code, and DPOR says the contractor should apply for and obtain any necessary building permits, which should be spelled out in the contract.^[1] DPOR also says not to allow work to start until the contractor gives you copies of the officially issued permits, as required.^[1] Roanoke County, which covers pool installations on its building page, recommends the licensed pool contractor obtain the pool permit.^[6] Call your own building department to ask whether resurfacing needs one.

Contract and payment

Virginia law requires licensed contractors to provide a written contract for residential work.^[1] Get every spoken promise in writing, with start and finish dates, and never sign a blank or partially blank contract.^[1] DPOR gives a rule of thumb of an initial deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less.^[1] It adds that the contract should provide for retention, a percentage of each payment or of the total job, ordinarily 10 percent, held until the job is completed.^[1] Do not pay 100% of the total bill until the work is 100% complete,^[1] and make sure every change after signing is in a written change order signed by both of you.^[1]

Keep a job file with the signed contract, change orders, permits, invoices, lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers, and photographs of the job at start, progress and completion.^[1]

Stop and call a pro if

You are choosing a pro, so use these as reasons to walk away:

• No verifiable licence. DPOR warns that an unlicensed contractor leaves you with little recourse.^[1]
• Pressure to pay a large sum up front. A reputable contractor should not need a large sum before starting.^[1]
• Anyone who talks you into pulling the permit yourself. DPOR says this is not doing you a favor, because the permit holder becomes the general contractor and assumes responsibility for the overall job.^[1]
• No written scope. If the finish, prep, repairs and refill are not on paper, they are not promised.

Next steps

Read how to tell when a pool needs resurfacing to know what to ask for, and how much pool resurfacing costs in Virginia to compare quotes. More guidance is in the pool and spa answers, and you can browse pool and spa services on Loclis.

When you are ready, describe the job once and licensed local pool businesses quote it.