Where's My Pool!
If you're anxious to dive into your new swimming pool, but the pool company you hired to build it doesn't seem as anxious to get the job done...you are not alone. Call for Action has received a number of complaints from homeowners all looking to cool off, but finding themselves hot under the collar.
Now that school is out, Michaela and Madeline Murphy live in their brand new swimming pool...but as of a few weeks ago, this pool was bone dry.
Georgianna Murphy, Middletown
"We figured we'd call in January, get on the list..."
Their mom, Georgianna, called a pool company months ago hoping to be one of the first customers this spring...Georgianna says the pool company put her on the schedule at the end of April to come and prep the ground.
Georgianna
"They never called, we never heard from them."
This went on for weeks, the weather was getting warmer, the girls were getting anxious, but the pool company according to Georgianna, didn't seem to care.
Georgianna
"I thought this is ridiculous, just ridiculous!"
Finally, they showed up.
Georgianna
"They finished the deck and fencing, and my husband gave a quick look, he said everything looks good, we paid in full, and off they go."
Everything was good until she noticed the liner was falling down. She calls the pool company.
Georgianna
"I get, well, can't you fix it yourself? It's really easy!"
So much for the pool companys' contract that says 'any service issues will be addressed promptly'. At this point, Georgianna figured the only way things were going to get done was to have her husband fix it himself...he did.
George Whalen, Director, RI Contractors Registration Board
"The problem is by someone like your husband or a friend fixing it, you may be voiding the warranty on the product."
George Whalen at the contractor's registration board warns consumers to stick to the contract, and as far as the waiting game, pin the company down on a completion date, otherwise, don't pay them a dime.
George
"If it's not there by such and such a date, put a penalty clause in there, they may have to pay $100/day for everyday that they exceed the contract."
The Murphy's are now enjoying their pool, they say, no thanks to the pool company.
Georgianna
"By the time you are done, you are close to $5000 to put up a pool and to have to fix a liner! It's just unspeakable! Unspeakable!"
If the pool company is unwilling to put in a completion date on the contract, you may want to reconsider doing business with them. In their defense however, many pool company's subcontract their work and it may be the sub's who are too busy. If you feel you've been waiting too long to get your pool, you can file a complaint with the contractor's registration board.
Here is their official website:
www.crb.state.ri.us
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