Pool Country Design

Entered into a contract for a fiberglass pool and paid $7800 deposit in July 2020. Project was never started, contractor refused to return deposit. Sued for the return of the deposit, won the lawsuit, still owed the money.

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[redacted]                                   ...⇄ Oct. 26, 2017 Austin Revdex.com Thank You for the opportunity to clarify issues that developed with this customer. As follows; Purchase date is correct. However, there is no mentions of the problems that occurred after that. The process of preparing the site was first priority. This included removing a large concrete area that had been a drive and parking area. Elevations located in the proximity of the pool were taken into consideration. The client was given the opportunity for input as to how the yard would come together and work with the existing raised deck with steps, the legal allowances for permit, the way the existing storage building would work into the plan, and finally the overall period of time allowing for the desired effect. Pictures included.All of the detailed drawing are personally developed in my office by hand. The original was submitted to the client for approval. It included the storage building and it's future access as part of the layout.It was determined that the existing storage building {in the picture) was to be raised/elevated 18 inches to 24 inches to be able to work with the new planned pool project. We (the pool builder) decided to do this prior to the permit in case we incurred any problems to the dual entrances of the buiiding once the pool was built.Once the permit application was made the City of Dallas would not issue a permit until the existing storage building was included. They were requiring that it be brought up to 'Leeds Standards'. I returned to the client with this information. He stated that he had no desire to spend that kind of money on the building. I agreed and asked what he thought about removing the building from the site.He and his wife decided that was the best option. We tried to move it in one piece, but that was not going to work because of the gate area. We then, with owner approval, cut the building up and removed it. (picture)The Client then decided he wanted to change the shape of the pool. This required a new permit application. We did exactly that. This time the city approved the permit. All of this took time. Once This new pool shape was accepted it was formed and laid out on the property site. The Client then decided he wanted a shorter and wider pool. We did it and laid it out. He then decided he wanted to move it over a few feet. It was moved. Plan drawings provided*In the middle of all of this 'above and beyond' work he decided to remodel his master bath. Those contractors were ail over our access to the pool layout.We were not compensated for any of these 'change orders*. [redacted] continually stated that his money was tight and that he had to pay for the pool with a bank loan. However, He paid for the bath, but could not find monies for our efforts to give him what he wanted. We proceeded anyway. The excavation was completed and ready to go forward. By this time several rains came along all Summer. We repeatedly cleaned this area up and pump out water.By this time scheduling became very difficult. We had the steel contractor install the steel, the electrical contractor provide the bonding system and called for an inspection. We received the required 'Green Card' to proceed with the gunite concrete shell. This required an agreed on draw of $12,000.00 which the client paid. I called the gunite supplier and they were backed up by the weather. All of his upfront changes consumed valuable time slots. Combined with rain and the fruitless change orders we were running very behind. It must be Noted that other customers were also behind. They found the patience and the realization that the investment was tong term. They are swimming right now.Two days out of the week prior to this 'breakdown' we had pumped out and shove' mud again in order to be able to do the gunite shell. The gunite supplier had been called and will verify that.The client has complained that there was a very little amount of work applied to his job. This is not correct at all. The plans and permits have value, The building issues have value, the breakup and removai of the concrete has value, The excavation and dirt issues have value, the constant cleaning and preparations have value, the circulation plumbing has a value, and finally the steel shell {the superior skeleton) of the pool has a value. The multiple change orders were ridiculous, but we did not complain nor attempt to enforce the contract that requires these to be paid for. This client is a paralegal by profession so his ability to understand the contract was not an Issue. He knew what he was doing.Now we are being contacted by our insurance provider informing us of a claim by this client. It states that we damaged his storage building and destroyed his sprinkler system. This also is very questionable?Finally, on your acknowledgment page it says that he only "Talked to Company" 3 times. The last being on5/15/2017. There has been constant communication, good or bad throughout this disorientated project. My phone records are loaded with our conversations. We spoke to the next door neighbor numerous times.I been in this business 44 years with the same name, Lived in two locations (same neighborhood) for 38 years, have many suppliers with very old account numbers, and I have only been with two banks over the last 25 to 30 years. Yes, I have encountered issues before and dealt with them. I have no judgments and /or what was there was paid. Any Bankruptcy I was involved in was a Chapter Respectfully Yours [redacted]