How to read pool company reviews: counts, dates, text and the original source
By Brian Morris, The Ugly Pool Guy. Last updated .
A star average leaves a lot out. It hides how many reviews there are, when they were written and what they describe. The Federal Trade Commission's advice is to look at a variety of sources, check how recent reviews are, watch for bursts of reviews over a short period and look at the reviewer's other reviews. Here is how to apply that to a pool contractor, including this site.
Read the review, not the stars
A five-star review that only says "great job" tells you less. A review that names the work done, the finish, how long it took and how problems were handled tells you more, whether it is four stars or five. Look for reviews that describe work similar to yours.
- Total review count on each platform, not just the average
- Dates: are there recent reviews, and is there a sudden burst in a short period?
- Does the text describe a remodel, resurface or repair like yours?
- How did the company respond to complaints, and was the issue resolved?
- Does the reviewer have other reviews on that platform?
- Can you open the review on the original platform where it was posted?
Always check the original source
A review quoted on a company's own website is a copy. Open the original on Google, BBB or wherever it was posted and confirm it says the same thing. On this site every republished review links back to its source platform, and the trust dashboard shows each platform's reported rating and count with the date it was last checked.
Compare platforms instead of trusting one
Each platform has its own rules, audience and filters, so the same company can look different on each. The FTC suggests using several sources. Read a few reviews on each platform you can find and see whether the same themes keep coming up.
Don't try to spot fakes by eye
The FTC says it is often nearly impossible to tell a real review from a fake one just by looking, and that fake reviews aren't always positive. Patterns over many reviews and many platforms are more reliable than judging one review.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: How to evaluate online reviews(opens in a new tab)
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: Before you hire a contractor(opens in a new tab)
Sources checked November 11, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or your city before you rely on them.