Quick Answer
When hiring a pool builder in East Tennessee, ask nine questions: are they licensed and insured (Morales is TN #77919), do they build both fiberglass and gunite, how do they price rock and slope, what exactly is included in the price, who is actually on your job site, can you see recent local projects, what is the honest timeline, how do they communicate during the build, and what happens after handoff. A pool lives in your backyard for 30 years, so the company matters more than the pool itself.
- Fiberglass should take 3 to 4 weeks to build; custom gunite runs 8 to 12 weeks. A builder promising a custom gunite pool in three weeks is not being straight with you.
- Get the full scope in writing: permits, equipment, electrical and gas hookups, decking, and dirt haul-off. A low quote that excludes half of these is not actually a low quote.
- Morales Outdoor Living keeps one point of contact from first call to final walkthrough and uses JobTread so homeowners can log in and see exactly where their project stands every day.
- Red flags: a quote far below everyone else's, pressure to sign today, no written scope or contract, vague answers about rock or slope, and cash-only or large upfront deposits with no schedule.
How long should a pool actually take to build?
Fiberglass should run 3 to 4 weeks and custom gunite 8 to 12 weeks; anyone promising much faster on gunite likely is not being honest about the schedule.
What is the biggest red flag when comparing pool builders?
A quote far below everyone else's, since that usually means site work like rock, slope, or decking has been left out and will surface later as a change order.
Hiring a Pool Builder Is Hiring a Contractor, Not Buying a Pool
A pool is one of the largest construction projects most homeowners will ever take on, and it lives in your backyard for 30 years. The difference between a great experience and a nightmare is almost never the pool itself, it is the company you hire to build it. Here are the nine questions we tell people to ask any builder in East Tennessee, including us.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Tennessee?
Ask for the license number and proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance. If a crew member is hurt on your property and the contractor is not covered, that can become your problem. (For the record, we are licensed and insured, TN #77919.)
2. Do You Build Both Fiberglass and Gunite?
A builder who only does one will always recommend that one. A builder who does both can tell you honestly which fits your yard, budget, and goals. We build both and will walk you through the real trade-offs.
3. How Do You Handle Rock and Slope?
This is the East TN question. Ask how they price rock excavation and how they engineer fiberglass backfill or retaining walls on a sloped lot. If they wave it off, they will either eat the cost (unlikely) or hit you with a change order later.
4. What Exactly Is Included in the Price?
Get it in writing: permits, equipment, electrical and gas hookups, decking, and dirt haul-off. A low quote that excludes half of these is not actually a low quote.
5. Who Is Actually on My Job Site?
Ask who manages the project and who does the work. We keep one point of contact from first call to final walkthrough, and the crews and trade partners on your site are managed directly by us to one standard.
6. Can I See Recent Local Projects and Reviews?
Photos of completed Knox County work and verifiable reviews tell you more than any sales pitch. Ask to see jobs similar to yours.
7. What Is Your Timeline, Honestly?
Fiberglass should be 3 to 4 weeks; custom gunite 8 to 12. A builder promising a custom gunite pool in three weeks is either inexperienced or not being straight with you.
8. How Do You Communicate During the Build?
Construction is stressful when you are in the dark. We use JobTread so you can log in and see exactly where your project stands and what is next, every day.
9. What Happens After the Build?
Ask about the walkthrough, maintenance training, and how warranty issues are handled. The relationship should not end when the water goes in.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- A quote far below everyone else's (the site work is missing)
- Pressure to sign today
- No written scope or contract
- Vague answers about rock, slope, or what is included
- Cash-only or large upfront deposits with no schedule
The Bottom Line
A pool is worth doing right. Ask these questions, compare honest answers, and choose the builder who is straight with you about cost and challenges, not the one with the lowest number.
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Christopher Morales
Co-founder of Morales Outdoor Living. 16+ years designing and building pools, patios, decks, and complete outdoor living spaces across East Tennessee. TN License #77919.
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