We like to learn as much as we can about the Pool & Spa News Top 50 Builders.

To make it into this elite group, companies are evaluated based on their revenue, management and training practices, industry involvement, web presence and community service.

Each year, in addition to naming and ranking the Top 50, we also rank the Top 10 in each of the categories named above. We also break down the designees by region and compile statistics for each.

Read on to find which companies ranked as the Top 10 in each category, as well as how each region is represented.

Top 10 New Residential Construction Revenue

For most Top 50 Builders, revenues from new residential construction far surpassed those from renovation. These 10 firms generated the highest new residential construction revenues of the Top 50. In all, the Class of 2020 reported a combined New Residential Construction Revenue of $881.8 million in 2019.

Top 10 Total Revenue

All told, this year's Top 50 generated $1.18 billion across all divisions of their businesses, including service, retail and commercial work. Despite this year's pandemic crisis, many of these companies are expecting to perform at least as well in 2020.

Top 10 Staff Management

Since there is no resource more important than a company's staff, this score weighs heavily in the each company's final tally. In addition to average employee tenure, companies are asked to provide descriptions of their training processes. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order rather than ranking.

Top 10 Training

This category provided the biggest change to the scoring process this year. With the current labor shortages, training is only becoming more important. Because of this, Top 50 candidates were required to provide more information than before on this subject, outlining in detail their new-employee training, continuing education, certifications and degrees. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order rather than ranking.

Top 10 Industry Involvement

Optimally, the Top 50 should serve as significant contributors to the industry and its causes, as well as networking with outside industries to broaden their reach. For this reason, companies were asked to list the organizations, both inside and outside the industry, in which they participate, along with their activities. This information is used to arrive at an Industry Involvement score for each firm. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order rather than ranking.

Top 10 Websites

In addition to such factors as attractiveness, quality of information and ease of navigation, this year's sites were evaluated for how they communicated COVID-19 responses and policies, as well as general information about the pandemic. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order.

Top 10 Web Presence

For this judging criterion, each company was judged on its website and social media accounts. When it came to social media activity, companies were rewarded for inventiveness, inspiration and frequency of engagement, among other attributes. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order.

Top 10 Community Service

The best companies give back to their communities to serve as good citizens and help fortify the neighborhoods that will be the key to their success. These companies donated millions of dollars, thousands of hours and more than a pool or two to help those in need. Because of duplicate scores, these companies are listed in alphabetical order rather than ranking.

REGIONAL BREAKDOWN

West

Total Builders in Region: 7
Employees: 827
Excavations in 2019: 3,601
2019 Total Revenue: $268,071,236
2019 Total Residential Construction Revenue: $241,865,518
• New Residential Construction: $217,536,545
• Renovation: $24,328,973
Average Residential Pool Price: $60,888

Southwest

Total Builders: 19
Employees: 1,565
Excavations in 2019: 4,998
2019 Total Revenue: $498,513,081
2019 Total Residential Construction Revenue: $428,658,191
• New Residential Construction: $401,137,280
• Renovation: $27,520,911
Average Residential Pool Price: $81,317

Midwest

Total Builders: 2
Employees: 114
Excavations in 2019: 127
2019 Total Revenue: $20,924,000
2019 Total Residential Construction Revenue: $9,274,093
• New Residential Construction: $7,800,634
• Renovation: $1,473,459
Average Residential Pool Price: $61,422

Southeast

Total Builders: 10
Employees: 496
Excavations in 2019: 2,799
2019 Total Revenue: $205,968,379
2019 Total Residential Construction Revenue: $174,884,095
• New Residential Construction: $163,781,623
• Renovation: $11,102,472
Average Residential Pool Price: $59,380

Northeast

Total Builders: 12
Employees: 761
Excavations in 2019: 1,095
2019 Total Revenue: $184,621,108
2019 Total Residential Construction Revenue: $106,198,635
• New Residential Construction: $91,512,948
• Renovation: $14,685,687
Average Residential Pool Price: $91,575