Hi Jacklie!!! So glad you're here! TFP is helping me get through my pool build. It's a terrific forum!
I had a hard time, also, making the final decision. Before I found TFP, I read a lot on another pool and spa site that is actually part of a garden forum. You can Private Message me if you have trouble finding it. I didn't stay with that site because it was not very busy at the time - could be better now. But what helped me a lot was reading all the archived posts from different pool builders across the country. I found 2 or 3 in the Houston area and really paid attention to their attitudes and extent of knowledge. In fact, that helped so much, I felt torn between 2 of them. I had interviewed 4 PB's, and narrowed it down to those 2. I almost flipped a coin (not the wisest way to make an expensive business decision)! By then I had found TFP and read several experts and moderators say exactly what Jason jblizzle just said - gut feeling. Someone suggested I count one, two, three and see which PB popped out first. I have no regrets. The only downside to our PB is that because he's so good, he's very busy. But I have been very pleased.
Since I made my decision, I did read or hear of some other very good resources.
1. Call your local gunite, shotcrete, vinyl, fiberglass companies and ask them. They know!!!! Of course, I realize some may play favoritism, but you have to add all your information together and not listen to just one source of info.
2. Talk to the person in charge at the different pool tile/stone places. During my selecting tile process, everyone needed to know my pool builder, and then proceeded to tell me how much they liked my PB and why. I realized then that they are a good resource because they also get honest feedback from the pool owners who purchase through them.
3. It was also suggested to me to visit the local pool supply stores like "Leslie's" (not sure who you have in your area). But here, I found they didn't really seem to know the pool builders. I did get some good tips from them on other issues, but not much help in choosing a PB. Maybe you would have better luck.
4. Also, if you have a community forum site (neighborhood, etc), you could put out a request for suggestions.
I hope some of this helps!!! Thanks for posting and keep us updated!!!! All the best! Suz