DX Pools

We paid $4,000 as a down payment on work that turned out not to be necessary, and are trying to get $3,000 of it back, only $1,000 of work done.
In May, 2017, we contacted Dx Pools to look at a problem with our pool skimmer. While there, they indicated that they could fix the problem, but pointed out another problem which they judged to be a serious structural problem, most likely caused by sloppy work done by the previous contractor, *** Willis Contracting. They alleged that there was no room left for horizontal expansion of building materials, which was causing the top of the pool to shear off, and would be a very serious problem if not rectified. They estimated that the total cost to fix both problems was $37,999. We accepted their proposal on May 31, 2017, and paid $4,000 as a down-payment.

Dx Pools fixed the original problem with the skimmer in June 2017, putting in about half a day of labour and some materials. According to other pool companies, the total cost of this work would be about $800.

On August 21, 2017, we informed company representative *** of Dx Pools that we had filed a Revdex.com complaint against ***, and that their company representative, *** Willis, agreed to pay for a Structural Engineer to come and inspect the serious structural problem. We indicated that we would wait for the Engineer's report before deciding to proceed with the work scheduled for Dx in September 2017.

On August 29, 2017, *** responded that there might be some penalty charges because of letting him know at such a late date, but that he would try to keep them reasonable.

On November 30, 2017, a Structural Engineer from the firm *** finally came to inspect the issue. His conclusion was that there was in fact no damage due to horizontal expansion, and that the only issue was purely cosmetic, cracks observed along the grout line, due to slightly different expansion rates between the original pool wall and the new materials used to build it up in places. He indicated that the pool was structually very sound, and that the problem was purely cosmetic, with cracking of grout that may have to be replaced every few years, at very low cost.

On December 13, 2017, we informed *** of the Engineer's conclusions, and indicated that, since his original quote of $37,999 was largely for work that turned out to be completely unnecessary, and was never carried out, we were requesting a refund of $3,000. We felt that $1,000 would more than cover the cost of labour and materials for work completed, and allowing for a reasonable penalty for cancelling the contract.

On December 14, 2017, *** indicated that he wanted to see the Engineer's written report, and that the work already carried out took 6.5 hours to complete, with total cost of materials and labour exceeding the $4,000 deposit.

On January 24, 2018, we sent *** a copy of the written report from ***, as soon as we received it ourselves. We indicated that $4,000 in costs of labour and materials was simply not credible, especially given that he had indicated back in June that it had been only a couple hours of work, and that other pool companies have indicated that the estimate for such work would be closer to $1,000. I indicated that, if we could not come to some kind of financial agreement, I would be filing a complaint with the Revdex.com.

I contacted *** on March 22, 2018, indicating that, since I received no response, I would indeed file a complaint with the Revdex.com. I have received no response from *** since December 14, 2017.