What should I look for in a good pool deck contractor?

I'm thinking about having the area around my pool redone because the current surface is starting to show its age. I've never hired anyone for this type of project, so I'm not sure what I should be checking before choosing someone. For those who have gone through a similar project, what questions did you ask about materials, drainage, timelines, and pricing? I'm also wondering whether it's better to get several estimates or focus more on previous work and references. Any advice from people who have hired pool deck contractors would be appreciated.