Hello all,
Looking for some advice on choosing a remodeler for our 20 yr old pool. We've had a mixed experience interviewing 4 companies for bids and very ambivalent about choosing due to our experience.
Dolce Pools - Tyler came out to see & measure the pool well over a week ago. No communication back. Got the impression He likes to do high end pool installs as he mentioned several times about his $70-80,000 jobs in North Dallas. We are definitely in the $20 range and the vibe i got made me feel I might not hear from him again (which so far has been true). Plus read a really bad review online that someone recently posted about his company though he gets great Angie's list reviews.
Claffey Pools - came out after a few delays & reschedules for consult. Did not measure on their consult day due to time constraints on both our parts - even though I had to leave, he could have stayed to measure but told me he was out of time & would return the next day. He didn't show but tried to reschedule a few days later. But I put him off for the time being since I don't want to waste either of our time if we are leaning away from using them. I liked him & his ideas from our first meeting, but i became concerned about his timing & missed appointments and what that might mean to the timing of my job if I selected them. They have some great reviews online & some not so great.
TruBlu Pool Renovations - Mark came out very promptly & gave a quote that day. We liked him & that he supervises each job. He remained in touch over that last few weeks while we were interviewing others. We did want to use Pebble Tec but he uses Stonescapes. This was our one big hesitation due to reading that PTec was easier to resolve product issues with if they occurred. The company has great Angie's list reviews but a bad review on the BBB last year concerning a pool finish - seemed to be a bad plaster job that the owner had trouble getting fixed.
Classic Tile & Plaster - Came out immediately, measured & had a quote a few days later. Loved the rep & his down to earth nature, seemed like a straight shooter. Liked that they install PTec. Called a week later to sit down & finalize the bid (he had given us options) with more specific requests. He spent 2+ hrs with us talking. But I expected a revised bid within a day (per him as he left) - 3 days (4 today) & nothing yet. I also asked to see some pools with granite blue PebbleSheen. He called the office a few times but couldn't get an address. He told us he would get back to us the next day but nothing. So I texted & he said he would call the next day with the info on seeing the pool - nothing, no communication. They also have great Angie's reviews but mixed on the Internet & a negative review on the BBB site even though an A+ rating. Once again - wondering if this I attention carries over to my pool remodel.
I was all set to use Classic but now undecided. We aren't concerned about getting the lowest bid. We just don't want to be put at the end of the line because we are not a $40,000+ pool build. Timing is a concern. I would like to know if I started my job now that it would be done in 4-6 weeks barring horrible weather. And thatmy job would be treated in a timely matter as all custoners deserve regardkess of size.
What length of remodel could I expect if I am replacing decking, coping, tile, new Pebbletec, and a wall with water feature at one end of the pool? Is timing ever put into a contract? I'm not feeling certain about any of these interviews and got very nebulous start times - "about a week". I was told a few times that this was a great time to do a pool remodel/build but I'm doubting that due to the amount of time it is taking to get responses & follow-up.
Can anyone give me any advice on deciding or choosing? Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated in advance!
Looking for some advice on choosing a remodeler for our 20 yr old pool. We've had a mixed experience interviewing 4 companies for bids and very ambivalent about choosing due to our experience.
Dolce Pools - Tyler came out to see & measure the pool well over a week ago. No communication back. Got the impression He likes to do high end pool installs as he mentioned several times about his $70-80,000 jobs in North Dallas. We are definitely in the $20 range and the vibe i got made me feel I might not hear from him again (which so far has been true). Plus read a really bad review online that someone recently posted about his company though he gets great Angie's list reviews.
Claffey Pools - came out after a few delays & reschedules for consult. Did not measure on their consult day due to time constraints on both our parts - even though I had to leave, he could have stayed to measure but told me he was out of time & would return the next day. He didn't show but tried to reschedule a few days later. But I put him off for the time being since I don't want to waste either of our time if we are leaning away from using them. I liked him & his ideas from our first meeting, but i became concerned about his timing & missed appointments and what that might mean to the timing of my job if I selected them. They have some great reviews online & some not so great.
TruBlu Pool Renovations - Mark came out very promptly & gave a quote that day. We liked him & that he supervises each job. He remained in touch over that last few weeks while we were interviewing others. We did want to use Pebble Tec but he uses Stonescapes. This was our one big hesitation due to reading that PTec was easier to resolve product issues with if they occurred. The company has great Angie's list reviews but a bad review on the BBB last year concerning a pool finish - seemed to be a bad plaster job that the owner had trouble getting fixed.
Classic Tile & Plaster - Came out immediately, measured & had a quote a few days later. Loved the rep & his down to earth nature, seemed like a straight shooter. Liked that they install PTec. Called a week later to sit down & finalize the bid (he had given us options) with more specific requests. He spent 2+ hrs with us talking. But I expected a revised bid within a day (per him as he left) - 3 days (4 today) & nothing yet. I also asked to see some pools with granite blue PebbleSheen. He called the office a few times but couldn't get an address. He told us he would get back to us the next day but nothing. So I texted & he said he would call the next day with the info on seeing the pool - nothing, no communication. They also have great Angie's reviews but mixed on the Internet & a negative review on the BBB site even though an A+ rating. Once again - wondering if this I attention carries over to my pool remodel.
I was all set to use Classic but now undecided. We aren't concerned about getting the lowest bid. We just don't want to be put at the end of the line because we are not a $40,000+ pool build. Timing is a concern. I would like to know if I started my job now that it would be done in 4-6 weeks barring horrible weather. And thatmy job would be treated in a timely matter as all custoners deserve regardkess of size.
What length of remodel could I expect if I am replacing decking, coping, tile, new Pebbletec, and a wall with water feature at one end of the pool? Is timing ever put into a contract? I'm not feeling certain about any of these interviews and got very nebulous start times - "about a week". I was told a few times that this was a great time to do a pool remodel/build but I'm doubting that due to the amount of time it is taking to get responses & follow-up.
Can anyone give me any advice on deciding or choosing? Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated in advance!