Questions to Ask Any Pool Company Before You Hire Them (and the Answers to Look For)
A ten-minute conversation can tell you more about a pool company than a hundred photos. You just need to ask the right questions — and know what a good answer sounds like.
Whether you need your pool resurfaced, a leak repaired, a full remodel or someone to keep the water clean every week, at some point you'll be on the phone or standing in your backyard with a company representative.
That conversation is your best chance to find out how the company actually works. Not how it markets itself — how it works.
Below are the questions we'd ask if we were on the homeowner's side of the table, grouped by topic, with the kind of answer you should hope to hear. This is general information for Florida homeowners, not legal advice.
Quick answer: Ask every pool company for its license number and type (then verify it), certificates of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation, who will actually do the work, whether they are certified by the manufacturer of the finish they're proposing, recent local references, a realistic timeline, how they'll communicate with you, and exactly what happens if something goes wrong. Good companies answer clearly and put it in writing.
Questions About Licensing
"What license do you hold, and what's the number?"
A good answer: A specific license number, offered without hesitation, that matches the business name.
In Florida, pool work falls under several contractor categories. According to the definitions in Florida Statutes section 489.105, there are commercial pool/spa contractors, residential pool/spa contractors and swimming pool/spa servicing contractors. A certified contractor can work anywhere in the state; a registered contractor can work only in the local jurisdiction where they qualified.
"Does your license cover this specific job?"
A good answer: Yes, with an explanation of why.
This matters most for the in-between jobs. Under that same statute, interior refinishing, equipment replacement and draining a pool for repair or renovation are within the scope of pool contractor licensing, while routine cleaning that doesn't affect the pool's structure or require disassembling equipment generally isn't. So a weekly maintenance service may not need a contractor license — but the company that replaces your pump or refinishes your pool should have one.
How to verify: Look the license up yourself on the DBPR license search and confirm it's active. Florida also requires the license number to appear on contractors' bids, contracts and advertisements (F.S. 489.119). We went deeper on this in what a CPC licensed pool contractor is.
Questions About Insurance
"Can you send me your certificates of insurance?"
A good answer: "Sure — general liability and workers' compensation. We can have them sent to you directly from our insurance agent."
General liability insurance helps cover damage to your property during the job. Workers' compensation covers crew members who get hurt on your property. Ask for current certificates and check the dates.
For workers' comp, Florida's Division of Workers' Compensation explains that construction industry employers with one or more employees must carry coverage, and anyone can check a company in the state's Proof of Coverage database.
A weak answer: "Don't worry, we're covered," with nothing on paper.
Questions About Who Does the Work
"Will your own employees do the work, or subcontractors?"
A good answer: A straight description of who does what. Many reputable companies use some subcontractors — for example, for electrical or specialty work. That's normal. What you want to know is who supervises them, whether they're licensed and insured, and who you call if there's a problem.
"Who will be my point of contact on the job?"
A good answer: A name and a phone number. Not "the office."
"Are you certified by the manufacturer of the finish you're recommending?"
A good answer: Yes, and the warranty paperwork reflects it.
This matters more than many homeowners realize. Some premium finishes carry manufacturer warranties that depend on installation by a certified applicator. At D&J, for example, we're certified PebbleTec applicators, and PebbleTec finishes carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty. Industry memberships and training can also tell you something; we explain what FSPA and NPC mean in this guide to pool industry certifications.
Questions About Experience and References
"Can I see recent projects near me?"
A good answer: Photos of real jobs, ideally in your area and similar to yours — plus a couple of past customers you can contact, if they're willing.
Recent local work matters in Central Florida because soil, water and HOA rules differ from community to community. A company that has worked in your neighborhood knows what inspectors and associations expect.
"How long have you been doing this?"
A good answer: A specific year, which you can sanity-check against the license record and the business's history.
Questions About Timeline and Process
"How long will the job take, start to finish?"
A good answer: Two numbers — the days of hands-on work and the total calendar time — with an explanation of what fills the gap (permits, curing, inspections, weather).
For reference, a complete resurfacing with D&J is 3–4 days of hands-on work and about a month and a half from start to swim-ready, including the chemical start-up. If a company promises something dramatically faster, ask what's being skipped.
"What happens on rain days?"
A good answer: A clear explanation of which steps can't be done in rain and how they reschedule.
"Will you handle permits and the chemical start-up?"
A good answer: A specific "yes, we handle X; you handle Y." The start-up of a new finish is critical to how it ages, so find out who does it and for how long.
Questions About Communication and Language
"How will you keep me updated?"
A good answer: A real routine — calls, texts or messages at each stage — and someone who returns calls within a reasonable time.
"Can I talk with someone in my language?"
A good answer: Yes. Contracts, change orders and warranties are too important to half-understand. At D&J, se habla español — from the first call through the final walkthrough.
Questions About What Happens If Something Goes Wrong
"What if you find hidden damage once the old finish comes off?"
A good answer: "We stop, show you, explain the options and give you a written change order before doing any extra work."
"What does your workmanship warranty cover, and how do I file a claim?"
A good answer: A written warranty with a clear length, what's covered, what isn't, and who to contact — separate from the manufacturer's warranty.
"What do I need to do to keep the warranty valid?"
A good answer: Specific care instructions, especially about water chemistry, in writing.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Topic | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| License | Number on the proposal; active on DBPR | "We're licensed" with no number |
| Insurance | Current certificates sent from the agent | Verbal assurance only |
| Crew | Named supervisor, clear roles | "We'll see who's available" |
| Finish | Manufacturer-certified applicator | Unsure about warranty conditions |
| Timeline | Hands-on days and total time explained | Too-good-to-be-true speed |
| Problems | Written change orders, written warranty | "We'll figure it out" |
Once you've found a company that answers well, the next step is reading the contract carefully. And if you're specifically shopping for resurfacing, our guide on how to choose the best pool resurfacing company in Orlando covers what to compare.
Ask Us Anything
We're happy to answer every question on this list. D&J has served Central Florida since 2014 under CPC license CPC1459797, and you can visit our showroom at 5610 Carder Rd in Orlando to see finishes and tile in person. Browse our recent projects, then request a free estimate or call (689) 358-9790.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pool cleaning service need a contractor license in Florida?
Routine cleaning that doesn't affect the pool's structure or require disassembling equipment generally isn't covered by Florida's pool contractor definitions. Repairs, equipment replacement and refinishing are. Check the statute and your local rules if you're unsure.
How do I verify a pool contractor's license?
Search by name or license number on the Florida DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com and confirm the license is active and matches the business.
What insurance should a pool company have?
Ask for general liability and workers' compensation certificates. Florida requires construction employers with one or more employees to carry workers' comp, and you can check coverage in the state's Proof of Coverage database.
Is it a bad sign if a pool company uses subcontractors?
Not by itself. What matters is that the company supervises them, that they're licensed and insured where required, and that you have one clear point of contact.
Why does manufacturer certification matter for a pool finish?
Some finish manufacturers tie their warranty to installation by a certified applicator. Ask whether the company is certified for the specific product it's proposing.
What should I ask about warranties?
Ask for the workmanship warranty and the manufacturer warranty in writing, what each covers, how long each lasts, and what you must do to keep them valid.
Written and reviewed by
D&J The Pool Resurfacers
A Florida-licensed pool contractor and certified PebbleTec applicator that resurfaces, remodels and builds pools across Central Florida, working with pebble, quartz and polished finishes.
- Florida Certified Pool/Spa Contractor
- CPC1459797 · Verify the license on MyFloridaLicense.com
- PebbleTec
- Certified PebbleTec applicators
- Last updated
Why trust this article: it’s written by the licensed crew that does this work in Central Florida, and it only states what we do on our own jobs — pebble, quartz and polished finishes. More about D&J
