Pool Contractor taking long to build..

The_MAC

The_MAC

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What recourse do I have as a client if a pool contractor (registered entity) is taking excessively long to complete my pool after numerous verbal commitments? I define excessive by comparing to other estimated time-frames from other contractors I got quoted by, from speaking to other people that had pools built, and from the companies workers who say they also agree that it's taking too long but apparently they are spread thinly amongst many sites.

1) I have signed a T&C doc that relinquishes them of any commitment to timelines
2) The owner keeps referring to this doc everytime I complain that its taking too long.
3) Deposit paid on 3rd Sept, work only started on the 4th Nov, the pool is about 50% done.

The workers pitch up on average 2/3 days per week, with sometimes a week between any work being done. They don't communicate when I send Whatsapps and emails (any response is pretty much useless as there is not a single time I got a concrete answer regarding timelines), phone calls are pretty much followed by "we will call you back" etc.

If it is what it is, then so be it, was just wondering whether anyone else has had a similar experience.

FYI: I don't suspect that they are dodgy or making off with the money (I pay per phase)
 
Well, now you're not going to get anything done until mid to end of January.

EDIT: Probably working on more than one job at a time, too stingy to hire more workers.
 
Slootvreter said:
Well, now you're not going to get anything done until mid to end of January.

EDIT: Probably working on more than one job at a time, too stingy to hire more workers.
Click to expand...

Sorry, should have mentioned that they are not closing this December (they even came on this Monday - Public holiday). But the fact that there are days between the teams arriving, they might as well have closed.
 
It is summer. It is hell hot. They took up more work than they could handle. They probably can't keep up and don't have enough workers or managers. I'm just not sure if it is good for a pool to be built so slowly. Anyways I'm not a pool expert. As long as they are not purposely dragging their feet. If you pay per phase. You can maybe check which other companies can take over. Hopefully it makes things better and not worse.
 
RedViking said:
It is summer. It is hell hot. They took up more work than they could handle. They probably can't keep up and don't have enough workers or managers. I'm just not sure if it is good for a pool to be built so slowly. Anyways I'm not a pool expert. As long as they are not purposely dragging their feet. If you pay per phase. You can maybe check which other companies can take over. Hopefully it makes things better and not worse.
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I would like to think that the concrete portion cures stronger if given a bit more time - so not too worried about that.

The issue is that their price was the cheapest (not the reason I chose them - mainly because they had a very active facebook page with lots of references), so if I go with someone else, I will be out of budget. Also, I doubt they will just exit the contract, as they keep throwing the T&C's at me - kind of like that all encompassing disclaimer shopping centres have.
 
The_MAC said:
5x3m - 1.5m depth, so not really big

Lots of work still to be done - paving, piping, electrical, solar, lining

Photo for interest sake -

View attachment 594730
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Lol, that thing is tiny

The contractor is taking the mickey and probably using your job as his side job, when things get stuck on bigger jobs(waiting for supplies etc) then he comes back to your job. Convenient for him but a royal pita for you.

Is there anything in the contract about him needing to work exclusively on your job once it's taken on and started?

It's one thing for there to not be a fixed timeline but then he must be working exclusively on your job.
 
Last edited:
airborne said:
Is there anything in the contract about him needing to work exclusively on your job once it's taken on and started?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately not. It's a very one-sided contract, one that looked reasonable to me initially, did not anticipate for them to be dragging it out for so long.
 
The_MAC said:
5x3m - 1.5m depth, so not really big

Lots of work still to be done - paving, piping, electrical, solar, lining

Photo for interest sake -

View attachment 594730
Click to expand...
Sho, that is small. If. If they worked everyday of a business week they would have been long done by now. I would first go to another company to find out if they are willing to complete the job and how much/time and then maybe do that if the contract allows it. These guys are definitely dragging their feet with your project. They obviously think it is not as important as their other projects.
 
RedViking said:
Sho, that is small. If. If they worked everyday of a business week they would have been long done by now. I would first go to another company to find out if they are willing to complete the job and how much/time and then maybe do that if the contract allows it. These guys are definitely dragging their feet with your project. They obviously think it is not as important as their other projects.
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The problem is that when I gave Company Option 2 a call last month, the sales rep said she left the company and wouldn't go near them, apparently a bunch of crooks :X3: I could find someone else I am sure, but I don't think they will let me out of the contract without claiming that I breached it..

I have tried everything, the polite nudging, the more adamant route, even my wife got involved with a very firm tone, nothing.
 
The_MAC said:
What recourse do I have as a client if a pool contractor (registered entity) is taking excessively long to complete my pool after numerous verbal commitments? I define excessive by comparing to other estimated time-frames from other contractors I got quoted by, from speaking to other people that had pools built, and from the companies workers who say they also agree that it's taking too long but apparently they are spread thinly amongst many sites.

1) I have signed a T&C doc that relinquishes them of any commitment to timelines
2) The owner keeps referring to this doc everytime I complain that its taking too long.
3) Deposit paid on 3rd Sept, work only started on the 4th Nov, the pool is about 50% done.

The workers pitch up on average 2/3 days per week, with sometimes a week between any work being done. They don't communicate when I send Whatsapps and emails (any response is pretty much useless as there is not a single time I got a concrete answer regarding timelines), phone calls are pretty much followed by "we will call you back" etc.

If it is what it is, then so be it, was just wondering whether anyone else has had a similar experience.

FYI: I don't suspect that they are dodgy or making off with the money (I pay per phase)
Click to expand...

why would you do that?
 
akescpt said:
why would you do that?
Click to expand...

Otherwise they will not take on the job.

When I queried the clause, they said it was due to weather etc. Which is a reasonable condition.

But there are also reasonable timelines, which were verbally discussed during the quoting phase - what makes the situation F'd up is the lack of communication and commitment.
 
The_MAC said:
Otherwise they will not take on the job.

When I queried the clause, they said it was due to weather etc. Which is a reasonable condition.

But there are also reasonable timelines, which were verbally discussed during the quoting phase - what makes the situation F'd up is the lack of communication and commitment.
Click to expand...

Those reasonable timelines should have gone into the contract then. They now hiding behind that. Legally not much you can do.

But it’s just piss poor from them though.
 
Well, we can all mention a lot of stuff that you shouldn't have done, buit that would be counterproductive.

You have no recourse unfortunately. It is a bad time of the year, and no other pool company will take over such a project, especially a cement pool.

So you are not going to be enjoying a pool during your summer vacation.

My pool project is starting next year. Right after Easter Weekend.

Doing fiberglass shell and installing it myself.
 
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