Ever since you and your spouse began talking about installing a backyard swimming pool, the little ones have been running around the house like water-starved guppies. They haven't been able to sleep at night, and for that matter, neither have you or your spouse. Your excitement is of another kind, however: dread.

While you can picture yourselves in this pool floating gently on summer evenings, you recognize there's a long haul ahead. Your first step is hiring a skilled and legitimate swimming pool contractor, and you're asking yourselves: "How the heck do we do that?"

Swimming Pool Contractors Need a Specialty License
Digging a gigantic hole in your backyard is a big deal; probably bigger than when you refaced your cabinets or installed that new entry door. You need a licensed contractor who specializes in swimming pools, or a general building contractor who possesses the swimming pool specialty classification (and will hire a licensed pool specialty contractor to do the work). These licenses assure you that the contractors have passed a written exam, have journeyman-level experience, posted a license bond, and shown proof of workers' compensation insurance. Here's a vital tip: make sure the license is in good standing by asking the contractor for his/her license number and then calling your state's licensing bureau.

Good Things Come In Threes, Even Swimming Pool Contractors
Even if the first contractor you find has a valid license, you want to consider at least three different candidates. From each of these candidates, ask for at least three references (you'll want to talk to the references AND see pictures/first hand visuals of the contractor's work). Get at least three bids and make sure the bids are for comparable work and materials. Once you've chosen a quality contractor, you can rest a little easier--but that doesn't mean the kids will be any less excited.