How to Choose the Right Phoenix Pool Builder: 4 Key Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask

Have you ever wondered whether you’ll end up with the pool of your dreams—or a construction nightmare full of delays, hidden costs, and frustration?

If you’re researching Phoenix pool builders, you’ve probably noticed they all claim to be the “#1 pool company in Arizona,” promising “quality,” “custom design,” and “decades of experience.” No, literally there are 8 companies online that claim to be #1 in Arizona. So how in the world are you supposed to make the right decision on such a large, permanent investment when everyone is chanting "WE'RE #1! WE"RE #1!" 

But not all builders deliver on those promises—and the wrong one can leave you with costly headaches and long-term regret.

In this article, we’ll walk you through four key questions every Phoenix homeowner should ask before signing a contract. These aren’t surface-level questions about tile color or pool shape—they reveal how transparent, accountable, and trustworthy a builder really is.

Why Choosing the Right Pool Builder in Phoenix Is So Important

You’re not just paying for a pool—you’re investing in long-term peace of mind.

Building a pool in Arizona isn’t like building one anywhere else. Our desert climate, intense heat, hard soil, and monsoon season create unique challenges that demand both engineering precision and local expertise.

A pool built without proper attention to these factors can crack or fail within years. Choosing a seasoned, locally experienced builder means you’re not just investing in a pool—you’re investing in long-term performance, protection, and peace of mind. Imagine the level of regret you could have on such a large, permanent investment if you choose the wrong company. 

Look, we get it, "isn't a biased pool company writing this blog?"- is a question you're wisely asking yourself. Candidly, we are biased about how we build pools and have been learning better ways to build pools for 60 years BUT that also means we have heard from thousands of people struggling through the research and shopping process of the pool industry...it isn't often fun. So our hope in writing this is to empower people with the questions that help them cut through the "WE'RE #1"-fluff and get to the company that is the right fit for them faster and with a greater peace of mind...even if that means, we're not the right fit.

Question #1 – How Long Has the Pool Company Been in Business?

Experience in the Phoenix market is non-negotiable.

A company that’s been around for decades has endured market swings, new technologies, and shifts in homeowner expectations. They also understand the multiple municipal requirements in Arizona and unique construction standards to get through Arizona's very unique soil conditions. The longer a company has been in business could and should mean that "success" is no accident and there must be something to their longevity. That kind of history signals consistency, resilience, and reliability. You can accidentally be in business for 5 to 10 years in one of the most intense pool-markets in the country but it'sts no accident when its decades.

1a. Is the Company Still Under Its Original Ownership?

Stability in leadership often means stability in quality.
A company that remains under the same leadership or family ownership usually reflects steady values, consistent customer care, knowledge of pool equipment options, better access to high quality labor and material and a legacy of accountability. On top of that, and most practical to you as the pool buyer, a company under the original ownership can likely mean that the "right way" to build a pool and treat it's customers has been passed down generationally. 

When ownership changes hands—especially to private equity or investment groups—priorities can shift. This is not uncommon to see in the business world around us. Remember Toys "R" Us or how prevalent Red Lobster used to be? These are just a couple of examples of what can happen when ownership changes hands. You might see less focus on craftsmanship and after-sale service, and more emphasis on volume and short-term profitability.  It's also very common for a private equity to want to flip the company some day for profit and that's okay, that business...you just want to be sure that fits what you need.  

1b. Is the Company Privately Owned or Backed by an Investment Firm?

Private ownership often leads to better service. Corporate ownership? Not always.

Privately owned companies tend to put customers first, not shareholders. Builders owned by large investment groups may reduce warranty coverage or outsource key functions like design and service to cut costs.

Did you know, according to a Pool Corp. report in 2025, 300 pool companies were bought and sold from 2023 to 2024?!  That's a lot of ownership change of hands! Even more specifically, 3 of the 5 top (by volume of pools) companies in Arizona are not under the original ownership. 

Shasta Pools has remained privately owned and locally operated since 1966.

Question #2 – Who Is Named on the Construction Permit?

The permit determines who carries legal and financial responsibility.

This may sound like a small, silly detail, BUT it’s one of the most critical indicators of accountability. The name on your pool permit determines who’s legally responsible for the project—especially if something goes wrong.

If the builder’s name is on the permit, they assume full responsibility for following Arizona building codes, coordinating inspections, and correcting issues. If your name is on it, those responsibilities shift to you—and so does the liability. Too many people, who put too much trust in the pool industry, have filed a complaint with the Registrar of Contractors of Arizona, unintentionally, against THEMSELVES. They aren't schizophrenic, they are just uniformed but sadly its too late to undo the problem that their name and not the pool company's name is on the permit.

2a. Why is it Safest for the Permit to Be in the Builder’s Name?

• Builder-held permits place full responsibility where it belongs...on the builder

• The AZ ROC protects you better when the builder is officially on record.

• If something goes wrong, the builder—not you—must correct it.

• You avoid the risk of assuming liability or delaying inspections.

• It ensures your builder is properly licensed and insured.

According to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, licensed contractors must be the responsible party on a permitted project. When a builder asks you to pull the permit in your own name, or simply decides to put your name on the permit for you, it could signal they’re not licensed—or that they’re trying to shift accountability away from themselves.

2b. What Are the Risks if the Permit Is in the Homeowner’s Name?

You could be liable for everything from failed inspections to code violations.

• You become the “contractor of record” in the eyes of the city or county.

• The AZ ROC may have limited authority to help if you file a complaint.

• Insurance coverage may be compromised.

• If the builder disappears mid-project, you’re left holding the bag.

• You may face title or permitting issues when selling your home later.

Bottom line: if a builder won’t put the permit in their name, that’s a HUGE red flag. At Shasta Pools, we always pull permits under our license—so responsibility stays where it belongs.

Question #3 – Do They Offer Just One Pool Equipment Brand or Multiple Options?

More brand options = better selection and, likely, longer term performance.

When you’re comparing pool builders, one key differentiator is the range of equipment brands they offer. Pumps, filters, heaters, and automation systems are the heart of your pool—and not all brands perform equally in Arizona’s extreme conditions.

A builder who offers multiple trusted brands (like Pentair, Hayward, Aqua Star, Raypak and Jandy) is more likely to prioritize performance and customer needs. A company that only sells one brand may be driven by profit-sharing and incentive agreements rather than your best interests.

3a. Can One Brand Really Be the Best at Every Piece of Equipment?

No. That’s why true builders provide real choices.

Can you imagine purchasing a home where every appliance and piece of equipment was made by a single brand or manufacturer?  What about your laptop or desktop computer? Do you think every microchip and component in it was made by Apple or Del? Of course it's not. Pool systems are complex, and no single manufacturer dominates every category. A brand might excel at pumps but lag behind in automation, filtration or heating.

That’s why having choice matters—it lets your builder select the best combination for your pool, budget, and long-term maintenance needs. If a company is dead-set on a single manufacturer, it may be that company rebates or gifted trips took a higher priority level than you did.

👉 Read more: Why the Pool Equipment Brand You Choose Matters »

Question #4 – What Does Their Warranty Actually Cover?

A “lifetime” warranty may not mean what you think.

Your warranty should be clear, strong, and supported by the company—not outsourced to third parties. Unfortunately, many homeowners only discover the fine print after it’s too late.

A trustworthy pool builder should be able to explain every part of their warranty, including structural, equipment, and labor coverage.  This is also another area where the longevity of service and years the company has been in business is important...a company might have the greatest sounding warranty in the world but if they have only been around for 7 years, that might not mean much because the volume of warranty work hasn't hit since their first pools were installed.

4a. How Long Does the Labor Coverage Last?

Labor is often the most expensive part of a repair—and the least covered.

Many companies advertise “lifetime warranties” that only cover parts or material for a short period, leaving you to pay out of pocket for labor. Always clarify how long labor is covered and whether there are service fees. The labor charges or service fees can be a lot like a mechanic's charge rate. They could be installing a spark plug, that only costs $15, but charge 2 hours of labor, at $90 to $120 per hour.  If you're not well informed, that could be a shocking difference between the part cost and the labor cost...the pool industry isn't all that different.  

👉 Read: New Pool Warranty Comparison »

4b. Do They Handle Warranty Service In-House or Outsource It?

In-house service = faster, better, more accountable support.

Builders who subcontract warranty work to unrelated service stations often create delays and inconsistent quality. A subcontracted warranty station has the pool company as it's customer, not the end user. A subcontracted warranty service can also mean a different company to handle the warranty on the same component which can create inconsistent communication or the feeling of "starting all over" on something you've needed fixed for a while.

4c. Is the Warranty Transferable If You Sell Your Home?

A transferable warranty protects resale value and might tell you something about the confidence of the pool company in their own product and service.

If you sell your home, a non-transferable warranty can scare off buyers or lower your home’s value. On the positive side of the coin, a transferrable warranty can also take away the negotiation tactic of the next home buyer's agent. Many buying agents will ask you, the existing homeowner, to reduce the price of the home because of assumed updates and warranty work on the pool. If your warranty is transferable, the negotiation or claim that upgrades are needed are gone...you have the power, not the agent. 

The warranty being transferrable, or not, might also give you some insight into pool companies' confidence in the longevity of their product. If its built to last, then the warranty being transferred to the second owner for the remainder of the warranty shouldn't be a major issue, should it? To be fair, another reason for a warranty not transferring could simply be lack of resources. There are very few major purchases in our everyday lives where the warranty transfers when ownership transfers (can you think of any?). Companies will naturally be limited in how many warranties they can cover and the length of time those warranties can transfer but, for your peace of mind, its worth asking the tough questions.

Bonus Tips for Vetting Your Pool Builder

• ✅ Verify license, bond, and insurance with the Arizona ROC

• ✅ Ask to see real completed projects and talk to real customers—not stock photos

• ✅ Request a line-by-line quote with specific brand names and models - no generic listings like "cartridge filter" or "infloor cleaning" or "salt system, you should know what was priced

• ✅ DO NOT ACCEPT vague answers to the questions above

👉 Learn more: Shop for a New Pool in Arizona »

Red Flags to Watch for When Comparing Pool Builders

Trust your instincts—and don’t ignore red flags.

• High-pressure sales or “sign today” discounts

• Permit in your name instead of the builder’s

• One-brand-only equipment packages

• Vague warranty language or no written warranty

• No in-house warranty support

• No recent, local project references

How Shasta Pools Helps You Choose With Confidence

At Shasta Pools, we’ve built more than 120,000 new pools and remodels across Arizona since 1966. Our process is rooted in transparency, and craftsmanship - - but in your shoes we strongly suggest you live by the saying "TRUST BUT VERIFY"...its just too big and permanent of an investment.

At Shasta we:

• ✅ Pull all permits under our own license and company name

• ✅ Offer multiple top-tier equipment brands

• ✅ Provide in-house warranty and service teams

• ✅ Back every build with a limited lifetime structural warranty

• ✅ Give homeowners clear, line-by-line quotes

If you’re comparing pool builders, we’ll even help you review competing quotes side by side—so you can make the most informed choice for your family.

👉 Schedule your Free Pool Design & Builder Comparison Consultation »

Conclusion – Choose the Pool Builder That Earns Your Trust

When you ask smarter, more well-informed questions, you get better results and you put any "bad actors" on notice that you know your stuff and won't be taken advantage of.

You now have the tools to choose a Phoenix pool builder who will own their responsibility and protect your investment—before, during, and long after the build.

👉 Book Your Design Consultation Now and take the next step with confidence.