How to hire a pool company in Arizona

1. Know which license the job needs

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licenses pool contractors. The main license classes you'll see:

• B-5 / KA-5: general swimming pool contractor. Builds and remodels pools (KA-5 covers residential and commercial).
• B-6 / KA-6: the same, including solar pool heating.
• A-9: commercial swimming pools.
• R-6 / CR-6 / C-6: swimming pool service and repair: pumps, filters, heaters, plumbing and other equipment work.

Routine weekly cleaning usually doesn't require a license. Under Arizona's "handyman exemption," small jobs under $1,000 (labor and materials) that don't need a permit can be done without one. A new pump, heater, replaster or any permitted work should go to a licensed company. Check any license for free on the ROC contractor search.

2. Building or remodeling a pool

• Get at least two or three written bids that list the same items: size, depth, finish, equipment brands, decking and fencing.
• Ask who pulls the city permit and who handles inspections.
• Ask about the pool barrier. Arizona and most cities have pool fence and gate rules, and your HOA may have its own. Check before you sign.
• Get the payment schedule in writing and tie payments to finished stages, not dates.
• Ask what the warranty covers (structure, finish, equipment) and for how long.

Hiring a licensed residential contractor matters: if a licensed residential contractor fails to finish or does poor work, homeowners may be able to file a claim with the ROC Residential Recovery Fund. Unlicensed work doesn't qualify.

3. Hiring weekly pool service

• What's included each visit: skimming, brushing, vacuuming, emptying baskets, testing and balancing water?
• Are chemicals included in the price, or billed extra?
• How often is the filter cleaned, and is that extra?
• What happens if the pool turns green, and what does a cleanup cost?
• Will they report equipment problems, and do they do repairs themselves (that needs an R-6, CR-6 or C-6 license)?

4. Arizona-specific tips

• Summer heat burns off chlorine fast and evaporates water. Expect chemical demand to rise, and keep an eye on the water level from June through September.
• Monsoon storms dump dust and debris into pools. After a storm, run the pump, clean the baskets, and test the water before swimming.
• Hard water leaves white scale on tile. Regular tile cleaning keeps it from building up.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current license rules with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.