Make sure your pool contractor or any subcontractor is licensed with the Nevada State Contractors Board. Contact the Contractors Board at http://www.nscb.state.nv.us or (702) 486-1100 and verify the license.

Find out how long the pool builder has been in business under the current name. Visit their showroom if they have one.

Verify the pool contractor's insurance company by asking for the name and company of who they have insurance with.

Check the pool contractor's references and client testimonials. Ask friends and neighbors if they have ever heard of that pool builder. Ask how problems were handled and how they were solved.

Check with Better Business Bureau at http://www.vegasbbb.org/.

Check out the pool builder's website, if they have one.

“Google” the pool builders name; this will reveal both good and bad recommendations from all sorts of sources - i.e.: blogs, personal websites, rip-off reports, forums, message boards, etc.

Get free pool quotes in writing from at least 3 to 5 pool contractors. Ensure that the estimates are for the same design and materials so you can compare apples to apples.

Don’t provide the full payment up front.

Make sure the contractor has obtained all proper permits and that they are in the contractors name, not your name.

Never sign off on completion before a walk through of the project.