Choosing a pool builder in Broward County comes down to verifying their license, reading the contract closely, understanding Florida’s rules on deposits and liens, and checking whether their reviews show a pattern rather than relying on a sales pitch. The 12 questions below cover what to check before signing with any licensed pool contractor — not just us.
This is general guidance, not a pitch for Custom Watershapes specifically. Ask any contractor you’re considering these same 12 questions.
1. Is the contractor’s Florida license current and in good standing?
Every pool contractor in Florida needs a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can check any license yourself, for free, at myfloridalicense.com by searching the contractor’s name or license number. The record will show whether the license is current, active, and in good standing, or whether it’s expired, delinquent, or has disciplinary action against it.
2. Does the license type actually cover the scope of work?
Florida issues different pool/spa contractor license types, and they don’t all cover the same work. A residential pool/spa contractor license, for example, doesn’t cover new commercial pool construction. The DBPR license search shows the exact classification — it’s worth checking that it matches what you’re actually hiring the contractor to do.
3. Can they provide a certificate of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage?
A legitimate contractor should be able to produce a certificate of insurance on request, showing active general liability coverage and workers’ compensation (or a valid exemption). A certificate helps verify that coverage exists, but it doesn’t guarantee every type of claim will be covered — policy terms, exclusions, and limits vary, so it’s worth asking what’s actually included for a project like yours. Coverage amounts and policy structures also vary by contractor and by project size — what matters most is that they can show current, active coverage, not that every contractor carries identical limits.
4. Who pulls the permit, and is that stated in writing?
Pool construction and most remodeling work requires a permit, but the exact requirements depend on your local jurisdiction and the specific scope of work — check with your city or county building department for what applies to your project. Where a permit is required, the contract should state clearly who is responsible for pulling it. A licensed contractor pulling their own permit is standard practice and is one more way the project stays tied to their license.
5. Does the written contract spell out scope, materials, and allowances — not just a lump-sum price?
A contract that just lists a total price leaves too much open to interpretation. Look for specifics: the exact materials and finishes, equipment models, dimensions, and what happens if you want to upgrade a material beyond what’s included (the allowance). The more specific the contract, the fewer surprises later.
6. What’s the deposit, and does it follow Florida law?
Section 489.126 does not itself impose a blanket deposit cap — a contractor can legally collect more than 10% of the contract price. But collecting more than 10% as an initial payment triggers specific obligations: the contractor must apply for any necessary building permits within 30 days of receiving the payment (except where the work doesn’t require a permit under local codes), and must either start the work within 90 days after the permits are issued or refund the payment. The statute also carries built-in qualifications: none of this applies if the contractor has “just cause” for the delay, or if you agreed in writing to a longer period. Separately, the statute’s own compliance mechanism — if a contractor appears to be noncompliant — starts with a written demand sent by certified mail. That’s one specific step the law lays out for this situation, not a universal prerequisite for every way a homeowner might seek a remedy.
7. Have you gotten the right lien releases — not just from the contractor?
Florida’s Construction Lien Law lets an unpaid subcontractor or material supplier file a lien against your property even after you’ve paid the general contractor in full. A release from the general contractor alone doesn’t close that gap — if the GC didn’t pay a sub or supplier who served a Notice to Owner on your job, that sub or supplier can still lien you. Ask who has actually served a Notice to Owner, and get releases from those parties directly, not just the GC. There are different kinds of releases: a progress (partial) release covers what’s been paid so far, and a final release covers full and final payment. Separately, Florida law requires the contractor to furnish a Contractor’s Final Payment Affidavit before you make final payment, listing who supplied labor or materials and whether they’ve been paid. None of this is a substitute for legal advice on your specific project — it’s a starting point for the right questions to ask. You can read the underlying law at Florida Statute 713.06.
8. How are change orders handled?
Changes come up on almost every project. What matters is whether they’re documented and priced in writing before the additional work starts, rather than handled verbally and settled later.
9. What’s the workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?
Ask specifically what the workmanship warranty covers, how long it lasts, and get it in writing rather than taking a verbal assurance. Warranty terms vary by contractor and by the specific finish or feature involved.
10. Are equipment items covered by a separate manufacturer’s warranty?
Pumps, heaters, filters, and other equipment typically carry their own manufacturer’s warranty, separate from the contractor’s workmanship warranty on the construction itself. Ask whether the contractor handles registering that equipment warranty on your behalf, since some manufacturers require registration within a set window after installation.
11. Can they show references or completed projects similar in scope to yours?
A contractor with real experience should be able to point to completed projects similar to what you’re planning, and ideally put you in touch with past customers. For a sense of what a complete, documented project write-up looks like, you can browse our own project gallery as one example of the kind of record a contractor should be able to show you.
12. Do their reviews show a pattern?
A negative review alone doesn’t establish a recurring problem. What’s worth paying attention to is a pattern — if multiple, unrelated reviews cite the same specific issue (missed appointments, slow warranty response, communication problems), that’s worth asking the contractor about directly before you sign.
Getting started
These 12 questions apply to any licensed pool contractor you’re evaluating in Broward County. If you’d like to talk through a project with us, call (954) 637-3075 or email info@customwatershapes.com. Custom Watershapes Inc. — Florida license CPC1458973 · in business since 2016 · 300+ projects · 4.8 stars across 110+ Google reviews (as of September 2026) · serving Broward and Palm Beach County.
About the author
Custom Watershapes Inc. is a licensed Florida pool and spa contractor (CPC1458973), based in Plantation and serving Broward and southern Palm Beach County since 2016. John Zona is an owner of Custom Watershapes Inc. and a Florida Certified Pool/Spa Contractor under license CPC1458973.
Pool builder vetting FAQ
How do I check if a pool contractor’s Florida license is current? Search their name or license number for free at myfloridalicense.com, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s license lookup. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
What does Florida law say about pool contractor deposits? Section 489.126 does not itself impose a blanket deposit cap. But if a residential contractor collects more than 10% of the contract price as an initial payment, it requires them to apply for necessary permits within 30 days (unless no permit is needed), then either start work within 90 days of permits being issued or refund the payment — unless they have just cause or the homeowner agreed in writing to more time.
What lien releases do you need when hiring a pool builder, and from whom? A release from your general contractor alone doesn’t protect you — Florida’s Construction Lien Law allows an unpaid subcontractor or supplier to lien your property even after you’ve paid the GC in full. Ask for releases from the actual subs and suppliers who served a Notice to Owner, understand the difference between a progress release and a final release, and know that Florida law separately requires a Contractor’s Final Payment Affidavit before final payment. This is general orientation, not complete legal protection.
Should I worry about a pool contractor having any negative reviews? Not automatically. A negative review alone doesn’t establish a recurring problem. What matters more is whether several unrelated reviews point to the same specific issue — that pattern is worth asking the contractor about directly.
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