Hiring the right pool contractor comes down to three things: verifying they're properly licensed and insured for work in Texas, getting a detailed written contract before any deposit changes hands, and checking that their timeline and payment schedule match how the industry actually works. Pool remodeling has a real risk of bad actors because jobs are large, cash-intensive, and often paid partly upfront, so a little diligence upfront avoids most of the common problems. This isn't about finding the cheapest bid — it's about finding a contractor who will still be reachable in year three if something needs warranty attention.
Be cautious of contractors who ask for a large deposit — more than 50% of the total quoted price — before any work begins, since that's disproportionate to the mobilization cost of most remodel projects. Verbal-only agreements, pressure to sign the same day, and prices that are dramatically lower than every other bid you received are all signs worth slowing down for. A legitimate contractor won't hesitate to provide license and insurance documentation, and won't discourage you from getting a second opinion.
A contract should spell out exactly what materials are being used (finish type, tile selection, decking material and thickness), the total price and payment schedule tied to project milestones, an estimated timeline, and what happens if hidden damage is found during demolition. It should also specify who is responsible for permits and include warranty terms for the finish, structural work, and any new equipment separately, since these often carry different warranty lengths. If a contract is missing any of these, ask for it in writing before signing.
A typical, reasonable payment structure ties draws to completed milestones — for example, a modest deposit to schedule the work, a payment when the pool is drained and demolition is complete, another at a mid-project milestone like new plumbing or tile completion, and a final payment after the job passes inspection and you've had a chance to review it. Paying in full before work is complete removes your leverage if something goes wrong partway through. Financing arrangements should be transparent about interest and terms before you commit.
Texas doesn't have a single statewide pool contractor license, but most contractors carry a general contractor license, and reputable ones carry liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage that protects you if someone is injured on your property during the project. Ask for the actual insurance certificate, not just a verbal assurance, and consider calling the insurer to confirm it's active if the project is large. Local permitting offices can also confirm whether a contractor has an active track record of pulling permits in your city.
A contractor with years of specific experience in DFW understands how expansive clay soil, hard water, and local permitting requirements affect a project in ways a contractor unfamiliar with the region might miss. They're also more likely to be reachable years later if a warranty issue comes up, since they have an established local presence rather than a temporary operation. Ask directly how long they've worked in the specific area where your pool is located, not just how long the company has existed generally.
Aqua MD, LLC is based in Fort Worth and gives free on-site estimates across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We inspect the shell, tile, deck, and equipment pad before quoting anything.
FAQ
Answers from Lance Jones and the Aqua MD crews, based on the pools we remodel across Fort Worth and DFW.
A reasonable deposit is generally a modest percentage of the total contract for large jobs, often in the range of 10-30%, used to schedule the job and order initial materials, with the rest tied to completed milestones. Requests for half for resurfacing only is normal, but more of the total price upfront, especially before any work has started, is a common warning sign in the pool industry and worth questioning directly with the contractor.
No, in most cases the contractor should handle pulling permits as part of the project, and that responsibility should be clearly stated in the contract. If a contractor asks you to pull permits yourself, ask why — it can sometimes indicate licensing issues on their end, since permitting offices often require contractor license information to issue certain permits.
Ask each contractor for a line-item breakdown of materials, labor, and what specifically is included, rather than comparing single total numbers. A lower bid that excludes tile replacement or equipment upgrades isn't actually cheaper than a higher bid that includes them — it just moves that cost to a change order later. Getting itemized quotes from at least two or three contractors makes real comparison possible.
Warranty terms vary by contractor and by component — finish warranties, structural warranties, and equipment manufacturer warranties are typically separate and can range from one year to several years or more depending on the item. Ask for warranty terms in writing for each major component of the job rather than assuming a single blanket warranty covers everything, since finish issues and equipment failures are usually covered under different terms.
