If you are going to go down that path check the price difference of 90s and valves you will need. All those add up.
I sympathize with your outrage.
I think the big issue im running into is PB is in over his head. He has his net-30 bills coming due and they're a lot higher than he expected. But stuff keeps arriving for this pool that I dont understand, another transformer and 2 more automatic valves showed up. So now I have 9 lights for a pool that only has 4, 6 automatic valves, 7 transformers (3-300w and 4-100w) and a ton of 2 way and 3 valves (2x2.5"). So his complaining that this pool is well above his bid seems like.... A. he isn't experienced enough to know how to bid some of the features I asked for and B. He isn't experienced enough to know what he needs so is just ordering a lot and I guess send back what he doesn't use? I do know that they had to special order the 3" fittings as the local supply didn't have them in stock. Not sure the price of those or how many are needed, nor again do I think he knows as I have no idea his plumbing layout or plans.
I think this PB entered the pool world hoping to just build holes in the ground with one suction and two returns, and move on to the next pool. Which is what a majority of rental places have. So trying to build and design sometime like mine is out of his comfort zone, which is ok, wish I had known that from the start.
Seems disingenuous on his part. This thinking started in 08-09 when people just said here's my keys I'm not paying my mortgage, now its student loans, etc. You take a loan out it is your responsibility, you sign a contract you honor the contract. Where is the moral compass here. If the contract has a clause for increased supply costs, ok but it's not being abused to just tack on when they underbid or lost money on another build and they have you by the short hairs. I hope this gets worked out. These stories are becoming more frequent unfortunately.
I think you're right, unfortunately I see a lot of people doing the whole "not my problem" and washing their hands of anything they dont want or like. Everyone wants to put the blame on someone else. Im only in my 30s but see it often with my generation and even more so with the 18-22 year olds just entering the "adult" world. Ive eaten my fair share of crow over the years in business, thankfully ive recovered very well, but thats just that, business. He is a business man and should understand these things. My first year with my franchise I lost my shirt while learning the ropes. But gained what I think is a stellar reputation in my industry. My PB is older and I originally got the "good ol' boy" vibe and your word is your bond. Im glad I got everything in writing, as that has obviously proven not to be the case.
Regardless we have contracts in play and if this hits arbitration I think I would come out on top, Just a huge headache along the way, especially trying to finish the pool. If the shell were not in place I would pay them for excavation and time and materials up until this point and then hire another company. With the shell my options are extremely limited other than taking over as an owner build, but trying to line up subs in an area I haven't lived in for long is also difficult.
Out of curiosity what are they using for backfill and what was the base? Looking for gravel and I'm not able to see it. My ability to miss obvious things is impeccable though.....or so I'm told.....often.
Just sand. I was curious about this too and asked a couple pages back if this was ok. In my area which is basically a big island separating the Albemarle, Currituck, and Pamlico sounds from the Atlantic. Theres really no soil and we were in 100% sand inches into the ground. So the gravel would eventually just wash away leaving voids. But literally 3 miles west of me, its a completely different story soil wise.
