For self builds, how do you go about finding your contractors?

[bassadict69]

For instance, how do you go about finding an excavator who has experience digging pools?
Find a steel guy with experience with pools?
Etc?

 

[Hammer6306]

I'm running into the same issue here in DFW. I did make contact with a tile and coping contractor who gave me the name and number of a plumber and electrician. With that being said I would look at the tile and coping places that cater to pools and start asking for vendors that way. I would hope there are some pool owners on this forum that could point you in the right direction.

 

[Amalgamate]

I'm running into the same issue here in DFW. I did make contact with a tile and coping contractor who gave me the name and number of a plumber and electrician. With that being said I would look at the tile and coping places that cater to pools and start asking for vendors that way. I would hope there are some pool owners on this forum that could point you in the right direction.

I know you're not the OP in this thread but I have a DFW concrete contractor for you. when I did my patio(way before considering a pool) I found the concrete company because I called prestige pool and patio(patio is in their name so I assumed they would do a patio without a pool). They basically said if I wasn't doing a pool, I'd be better off contacting their concrete sub, then gave me the info. Pm me for details.

 

[bassadict69]

No help to be had with this?

 

[Amalgamate]

No help to be had with this?

Im not an owner/builder(PB is building mine) but I have some ideas.

A backdoor into getting sub information might be to look at all permits pulled by PBs in your area. Most counties have permit search built into their website. They sometimes list the subs, especially for regulated things (plumbing, electrical). Some counties allow you to also see inspections done, it sometimes list the subs there as a contact for the particular trade.

Another thought, have you tried calling local PBs and asking? Most will be weird but some might just give it up.

Another alternative is to call the PB and say you are considering them and your lender wants your contractor to give contractor references... This sounds strange but years ago I was a mortgage underwriter and it was common on home improvement loans to ask GC for references from their subs.... The reason a lender would ask is that it sheds a light on troubled GCs if subs report issues receiving payment.

Good luck!

 

[IMAZ1218]

Find a number for a local electrician or plumber. When you call them ask if the do pool electrical/plumbing. If not ask if they know one that does. Once you find one that does you are home free. Talk with that person and explain that you are doing an owner build and ask for their recommendations on other subs. I guarantee they will be able to get you lined up with all the other subs you will need.

 

[bassadict69]

Thanks! Great ideas!

 

[Kevin9999]

Try the Home Advisor and/or Angie's List websites. My concrete guy, fencing company, and plumber came highly recommended. Home Advisor will give you $50.00 if you contract 3 of their references. Both are free to join as well.

 

[Brianf60]

I just finished building my pool and I did almost everything myself with the help of a few friends and neighbors. I did hire a pool builder to complete the floor in the pool (I think I could have done a rectangle but not a free-form like we chose and it would have cured before I could finish), a concrete finisher to assist with the deck (Again I don't think I could work fast enough to complete in time) and a gas fitter to hook up to the house ( Home Depot does not carry 1 1/4" pipe and fittings so I would have likely wasted a whole day doing what he did in 2 hours if I didn't measure correctly and had to make more than 1 trip to the HVAC supplier in the next town over). We located these through friends and just asking around. I got lucky my neighbor owns an excavation business and my wife talked him into helping us. I also do some work on the side for an equipment rental place so they helped me out with equipment small enough to get in the backyard. I could have run the excavator myself but it would have taken longer and involved more time finishing with a shovel. The guy that helped us was so good I think he could have used the excavator to shave with. He had never dug a pool but he was a real pro. I spent a lot of time studying the dig specs before hand and that helped a lot. Good luck! Pool building is very stressful but its worth it in the end....