My wife and I had decided to have our swimming pool redone, and it involved re-plastering, re-tiling and replacing the concrete deck.
We contacted several local companies and decided to sign a contract with Alan Pools. They appeared to be the best choice because of their length of service record, size of the company, the local office and display area.
We were impressed by their punctuality and sticking to promised and scheduled times. We were very impressed by the craftsmanship of their personnel, and the efficiency of how the work was planned and executed. It seemed that their very “substantial“ asking price of $48,573.00 would be a good investment after all.
The plastering and tiling looked beautiful. The problems started when the concrete decking began. We were told that it had to be done in two sections and on two separate days. When the first section (the border) was poured, we were disappointed that the color was off and the sparkle non-existent. We were told that it was very difficult to match perfectly and that this was the best they could do.
Then, when the the rest of the decking was poured the next day, it did not match what was poured the day before and was even duller and more off-color from what we had agreed upon. Unbelievable.
Again I was told that it was extremely difficult or impossible to match the other concrete (with today’s technology???) I could not believe this. I certainly was not told that before we began. I should not have accepted it and had them tear it out and do it over again but was offered a rebate compensation. Unfortunately I accepted that and tried to live with it.
Within a year the real trouble started. The white plaster in the pool started to look like the pool had not been cleaned for weeks. The pool cleaning company I had hired was the one Alan Pools had highly recommended as the best there was. When they investigated the problem, they concluded that something was wrong with the plaster and identified the specific cause. However, when Alan Pools was notified and sent their “expert“ to review, they (not unexpectedly) claimed that it was the fault of the pool cleaning company and the local water.
Strangely enough, my neighbors (who are serviced by the same pool cleaning company and deal with the exact same water), have no problems, nor did I ever have any with my 30 year old plaster.
Acting as if it had not been their fault but that it was my problem and my responsibility, Alan Pools offered to re-plaster the pool for a mere $5,250.00!! Again, unbelievable. There is no other remedy for the dirty looking plaster than to replace it.
Then the next, even worse problem occurred. The concrete deck started to go white after any rain or water got on the concrete. This made the deck really look terrible. I can spray-wash the deck and it will look clean, but shortly thereafter or any time after a rain or water gets on it, it comes right back. Nowhere else does the concrete around my house have this problem or has ever had it. See attached photos.
Their response to this disaster was a recommendation that I have a concrete company do a thorough blasting of the deck and then seal it. This would cost me several thousands of dollars according to some quotes. This is really an unbelievably arrogant response after having spent $48,000 with these people.
The other concrete sections around my house (driveway, front walkway, etc.) are over 30 years old and look far superior than this “new“ deck ever did.
I wish I had never heard of Alan Pools. My advice to people looking to build or re-build a pool, would be better off to never hear of Alan Pools either.
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