Do you dream of turning your garden into a real holiday destination? Great idea! But before you start work, you need to find the right pool builder. And that's where the reviews come in. But beware: online reviews are not always as reliable as you might think. Here's a look at why it's important not to rely solely on reviews when choosing your ideal pool builder. If you're looking for a swimming pool specialist in LuxembourgFor more information, see our summary!
How internet reviews work
Users leave comments and ratings (from 1 to 5 stars) about their experiences with a company. The more positive reviews and stars a company has, the more reliable it appears. Reviews often include details about quality of service, punctuality, competence and even personal anecdotes about the experience.
Reviews can be found directly in Google search results or on Google Maps. You can see at a glance whether a pool builder has good reviews or whether it's better to pass. Google also displays the average rating and the total number of reviews. A 5-star average is fine, but if it comes from just one review, it's not enough to draw any conclusions.
Popularity and use of internet reviews
Almost everyone uses Google reviews to make decisions. When you're looking for a restaurant, hairdresser or swimming pool operator, taking a look at Google reviews has become a reflex. These reviews give a quick first impression and an overview of the quality of the service.
It's the same for pool builders. Many people rely on stars and reviews to choose the company they want to build or renovate their pool. It's a common practice because reviews are easily accessible and seem more objective than the company's own presentation.
And yet, while advice can be useful, it also has its limits.
The limits of user reviews in choosing a pool builder
Reliability and authenticity
Online reviews are supposed to help us make smarter, more informed choices, but they're not always as reliable as we'd like. One of the main reasons? Fake reviews. Reviews can be riddled with biased comments, or even be completely made up. Both positive and negative...
The problem of false reviews (positive or negative)
You've found a swimming pool specialist with a 5-star rating and glowing reviews. You've found the real deal. Or so you think. Unscrupulous companies may pay to obtain false positive reviews in order to boost their reputation. They may also write fake reviews themselves or ask people close to them to do so. Conversely, malicious competitors or disgruntled former employees may leave false negative reviews to damage the reputation of a good pool company.
These fake reviews can be difficult to detect because they are often written in such a way as to appear authentic. They sometimes include accurate details, names and even credible stories. In reality, they are designed to manipulate your perception.
A common example of a false positive review: "Excellent experience! The pool fitter was professional and the pool is beautiful. I highly recommend!" Without specific details, this kind of review can seem generic and suspect. Conversely, a fake negative review might say: "Terrible work! The pool leaks and they never returned my calls." Again, without context, it's hard to know if this review is true.
To protect yourself from fake reviews, you need to exercise your eye and try to read between the lines. Look for detailed reviews that share experiences specific and coherent. Beware of reviews that are too perfect or extremely negative without context. And remember, one review does not make a company's reputation. Look at the general trend, the distribution of reviews and their publication dates.
User bias
Tendency to leave reviews in the event of a very positive or very negative experience
Have you noticed that you're more likely to leave a review after an incredible or disastrous experience? You're not alone. Most people take the time to write a review when they've experienced something particularly memorable, one way or the other. Online reviews often tend to represent extremes: glowing praise and scathing criticism.
In practical terms, for a pool company, a customer delighted by a magnificent pool and impeccable service will leave a 5-star review, while another frustrated by delays (which are not always the fault of the pool company) will leave a 1-star review. Average experiences, where the work is done properly but nothing extraordinary, often fly under the radar and don't translate into reviews.
Lack of balanced and representative feedback
This bias creates the problem of a lack of balanced and representative feedback. The reviews you read don't always give you a complete and nuanced picture of the company. You might think that a pool builder is either perfect or catastrophic, without really understanding the nuances between the two.
We sometimes find ourselves in situations where you see ten reviews for a pool company: five 5-star reviews talking about an incredible experience and five 1-star reviews describing serious problems. This doesn't necessarily reflect the overall quality of the company, which could have dozens of satisfied customers but not enough motivation to leave a review.
To get around this problem, look for specific details in reviews. Reviews that detail the process, the challenges encountered and how they were resolved are particularly valuable. They give you a more accurate and balanced picture of the pool builder's skills and service.
Skills and expertise
Difficulty assessing a pool builder's technical expertise through reviews
Reviews can tell you whether a pool builder is friendly or punctual, but they won't always give you a clear picture of his technical expertise. Building a swimming pool is a complex task that requires specific skills and attention to detail. Unfortunately, most online reviews focus on general aspects of customer service, feelings and impressions, rather than specific technical skills.
For example, a satisfied customer may leave a positive review simply because the pool builder was friendly and the project was completed on time. This review will not tell you whether the construction complied with safety standards, whether the materials used were of high quality or whether the filtration system was installed correctly.
Examples of specific skills not mentioned in the opinions
To really assess a pool builder, you need to evaluate specific technical skills that are often not mentioned in the reviews. Here are a few examples:
- Knowledge of local regulations
A good pool builder must know and comply with local regulations on pool construction: safety codes, zoning requirements, necessary permits, etc. Online reviews almost never mention this aspect.
- Mastery of construction techniques
Building a swimming pool requires expertise in excavation, installation of concrete or steel structures, waterproofing and finishing. A notice that says "My pool is superb" doesn't tell you whether the techniques used will ensure that the pool remains magnificent over time and complies with industry standards.
- Expertise in filtration and heating systems
The quality of your pool water depends on the filtration system and the heating system. Online reviews rarely mention whether these systems are installed correctly and working efficiently.
- Managing complex projects
If you have a complex project, such as an infinity pool or an indoor pool, you need to make sure that the pool builder has the necessary experience to manage such projects. General advice will not give you this information.
Specific contexts not mentioned
Lack of details on users' specific projects (size, complexity)
When you read a review on Google, it's rare for the author to go into detail about the size and complexity of their swimming pool project. A positive review may simply say, "Great experience, I recommend!" But what does that really mean? Was it a small above-ground pool or a large infinity pool with advanced features? These details are important in assessing whether the pool builder is capable of handling the type of project you have in mind.
Importance of these contexts for judging the quality of the work
Building a swimming pool requires precision, attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the various technical aspects. The more complex the project, the more important it is to ensure that the pool builder has the necessary expertise.
If you are planning to build a pool with unique features such as waterfalls, sophisticated underwater lighting, or a solar heating system, you need to know whether the pool builder has done this type of project before. General advice won't give you that assurance either.
Alternatives and additions to web notices
If digital reviews have their limits, what are the alternatives and complements to help you choose the best pool builder? One of the most reliable methods is good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
Word of mouth
Remember that time you asked a friend to recommend a good restaurant and ended up having a memorable evening? Well, the same principle applies when it comes to finding a good swimming pool specialist.
Word-of-mouth recommendations are often more reliable than online reviews because they come from trusted people who have direct experience with the professional in question. When you ask friends, family or neighbours if they know a good pool builder, you get first-hand information about their satisfaction, the problems the builder has dealt with and the quality of the work.
If your neighbour has just had a superb swimming pool built and has nothing but praise for the pool builder, by talking to him you can get precise details of the process, communication, costs and even see the end result for yourself. There's no better way to get a clear idea!
Word-of-mouth recommendations are often more detailed and nuanced. People you know can tell you about the little things that aren't always mentioned in online reviews, such as punctuality, site cleanliness or responsiveness in the event of a problem. These details can make all the difference.
Don't hesitate to start the conversation at your next barbecue or family gathering. Ask people who have already had a pool built or renovated to share their experiences and contacts. You'll be surprised at how enriching these discussions can be and how they can provide you with valuable leads.
Word-of-mouth recommendations are the perfect complement to online reviews. They give you a more complete and personalised view of a pool builder's skills and reliability.
Checking references and previous work by swimming pool specialists
Contact former customers for detailed feedback
You know what they say, "actions speak louder than words". This is particularly true when it comes to choosing a pool builder. Asking the pool builder for references and contacting former customers directly can give you a much clearer picture of the quality of his work and his professionalism.
If the pool builder is honest and transparent, he will be able to give you a list of previous customers. Here are some questions you can ask them to get detailed feedback:
- How did the project go?
Ask them to describe the process from start to finish. Did they meet the deadlines? Were they transparent about costs? Did the quality of the work live up to your expectations?
Find out how well the pool works and whether it is exactly what they wanted. Were there any technical problems after construction?
- Was the pool builder easy to contact and responsive to any problems?
Communication is extremely important for such an ambitious project. Knowing that the pool builder is available to answer your questions and resolve problems quickly is a huge advantage.
- Would you recommend this swimming pool specialist to a friend or family member?
This is often the decisive question. If the former customer hesitates or answers in the negative, that's a red flag.
Talking directly to former customers gives you information you won't find in online reviews. You can ask questions specific to your project and get detailed, honest answers.
See previous work with your own eyes
There's nothing like a visual inspection to judge the quality of a pool builder's work. Asking to see work in progress or completed projects is an excellent way of checking the craftsman's skills and professionalism.
If you're about to commission a major project, what could be better than seeing for yourself the work the pool builder has already done? It's like visiting a model home before you buy, but for your swimming pool.
By visiting completed sites, you can assess the quality of the finishes, the precision of the installations and the overall aesthetics of the pools built. This gives you a clear idea of the pool builder's level of skill and attention to detail.
Observing work in progress
Ongoing projects are also revealing. You can see how the pool builder and his team work and whether they keep the site clean and organised.
Exchanging with customers
Take advantage of these visits to talk to the owners. They can share their experiences in real time, tell you about communication with the pool builder and their overall satisfaction.
Finally, here is a table summarising the main limitations of online reviews and the alternatives to consider if you want to make the best choice.
| Limits on online notices | Further information |
| Reliability and authenticity | Look for word-of-mouth recommendations |
| False reviews (positive and negative) | Contact former customers for detailed feedback |
| Visit current or completed sites to assess the quality of the work | |
| User bias | Ask specific questions about your experiences |
| Opinions are often extreme (very positive or negative). | Look for detailed and nuanced opinions describing specific contexts |
| Assessment of skills and expertise | Ask for references and check previous work |
| Inspect examples of similar projects to assess technical expertise | |
| Ask questions about the construction techniques and materials used | |
| Specific contexts not mentioned | Ask for details of specific projects (size, complexity) similar to yours. |
| Lack of details on user projects | Talk to the pool specialists about their past experience with projects of similar complexity. |
Online reviews are a good starting point for getting a first impression, but they shouldn't be your only compass when choosing a pool builder. We recommend that you combine them with word of mouth, site visits and in-depth discussions with former customers.
Remember, every pool project is unique and finding the right pool builder requires a little more research than a simple web search. Don't just read the stars; go beyond them, ask questions and see the results first-hand.
