Choosing a Licensed Pool Contractor

Importance of Choosing a Licensed Pool Service Company

Certified pool service contractors in the Orlando and Central Florida area are a smart choice. Choosing a pool servicing company to take care of and maintain your pool seems like it would be an easy decision. There are advertisements and flyers for all different pool companies, plus numerous magazine articles about the importance of choosing a professional company to maintain your pool, which is most definitely true. Yet the advertising can be very misleading and a company claiming to be the best for weekly service and repairs may not actually be licensed to do so. Many companies only hold a CPO certificate but not a contractors license – which is required to fix or repair pools in Florida – leaving homeowners at risk for hiring unlicensed workers to take care of and service their pools. Here is what you need to know before choosing a pool service company:

Certificate vs License

Certificate: Currently, if a company holds an occupational tax certificate, Florida law allows that company to clean and chemically treat a residential pool. A state license is not required. This also means that a company holding the certificate cannot legally fix or replace plumbing and equipment, nor repair, remodel or build. All they are allowed to do is clean and adjust chemicals. This also means that homeowners who hire unlicensed pool companies that do anything outside of cleaning and chemicals become responsible for workers comp, liability insurance and any fines for completing unlicensed work and fixing or replacing damaged equipment. Manufacturer’s also void any warranties on equipment installed by an unlicensed contractor.

License: In order to build, renovate, service or repair pools/spas in Florida you must have a license issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) or a locally issued license that is registered with the CILB. A licensed pool company (RPC or CPC) is the only individual or company that is legally allowed to not only clean and chemically treat pools, but also repair/replace equipment, remodel, build and repair both residential and commercial pools. The company/individual will also be verified on the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. Homeowners that hire licensed pool companies have the reassurance that the employees have passed a background check, that the company carries liability insurance, and that the manufacturer’s warranties on any new equipment will be valid.

Obtaining a License

Becoming a licensed service pool contractor in the state of Florida comes with many requirements. According to the Florida Swimming Pool Association, the license applicant must:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Hold a Bachelor’s degree (in the appropriate field) and 1 year of proven experience OR 4 years of active field experience (may substitute up to 3 years of college credits for experience)
3. Demonstrate financial responsibility and stability
4. Submit to fingerprinting for a background check
5. Present proof of public liability and property damage insurance and workers’ compensation or exemption
6. Taken and passed the examination

Additionally, a license will only be granted if ALL the qualifications are met, not just if the exam is passed.

As you can see, choosing the right pool company is more than just choosing a company with years of experience or a vast knowledge of pool chemicals. Hiring a licensed pool service company ensures that your pool is taken care of properly and, most importantly, legally protecting you from liabilities, fines and voiding of manufacturers’ warranties.

Choosing a Licensed Pool Service Company

Certified Pool Pros is a LICENSED professional pool service company that holds the highest level of license in Florida for Pool Contractors – a statewide Commercial Pool Contractors License (#CPC1458803). We have been dedicated to helping Central Florida families enjoy their swimming pools for the entire swimming season for over three decades now! With offices in Lake Mary and Maitland, we are a local company owned by a life-long Winter Park resident with over 30 years of experience in the swimming pool industry.

Reliability, plus always keeping our client’s best interests as our primary goal, have led to a reputation that far surpasses any of our competition. We are proud to say that Certified Pool Pros is Central Florida’s #1 pool service and pool cleaning company. Servicing Orlando with our corporate headquarters in Lake Mary, CPP covers Orange, Lake and Seminole counties with satisfaction guaranteed.

Whether you are an existing client or not, we urge you to contact us online or call us TODAY at 407-859-POOL (7665) if you have any questions regarding keeping your pool clean and sparkling. Let the experts do the work for you!

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