Construction mistakes

[dualarte]

Hi all! I’m having an 18x44 gunite pool built, which was supposed to cost $120k. My builder made some mistakes, and I’m having trouble figuring out how to move forward.

The pool was supposed to be 6’ to the water level, but is instead 5’8”. The deep end was supposed to have 2 benches along the walls, 4’ long each, but these were never built.

How much of a cash discount would you expect to receive for these mistakes? I no longer have the option to have a pool the depth I wanted, nor the benches I wanted. I’m stuck with what the builder made.

I’m also attaching a photo of what appears to be a small hole in the shell with staining from water leaking through. Am I correct that this is a problem that needs to be fixed? Since I no longer trust my builder — what would a proper repair look like?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Bperry]

Hi all! I’m having an 18x44 gunite pool built, which was supposed to cost $120k. My builder made some mistakes, and I’m having trouble figuring out how to move forward.

The pool was supposed to be 6’ to the water level, but is instead 5’8”. The deep end was supposed to have 2 benches along the walls, 4’ long each, but these were never built.

How much of a cash discount would you expect to receive for these mistakes? I no longer have the option to have a pool the depth I wanted, nor the benches I wanted. I’m stuck with what the builder made.

I’m also attaching a photo of what appears to be a small hole in the shell with staining from water leaking through. Am I correct that this is a problem that needs to be fixed? Since I no longer trust my builder — what would a proper repair look like?

Thanks so much in advance!

The weeping in the wall should get fixed with plaster and the 4” depth mistake isnt so bad but missing benches? Yikes. Those can be added back in I’d think? You could even raise the pool bond beam 4” to correct the depth mistake?

 

[dualarte]

Thank you! Just to make sure I understand, are you saying the weeping in the wall isn’t a problem, and will resolve itself when the plaster is put on?

 

[tommelton]

Concrete is not waterproof, water can go both ways. The plaster finish is the water barrier, so yes, if the plaster is adequately applied, the weeping wall is not an issue.

The benches can be added, by drilling the shell, epoxying in appropriate rebar and building the reinforcements for benches, followed by shotcrete/gunite application.

I presume the skimmers are in place already as they should be encased in the concrete wall. If so, you really cannot increase the depth easily.

-Tom

 

[Bperry]

Concrete is not waterproof, water can go both ways. The plaster finish is the water barrier, so yes, if the plaster is adequately applied, the weeping wall is not an issue.

The benches can be added, by drilling the shell, epoxying in appropriate rebar and building the reinforcements for benches, followed by shotcrete/gunite application.

I presume the skimmers are in place already as they should be encased in the concrete wall. If so, you really cannot increase the depth easily.

-Tom

Curious if the plumbing is still exposed, they could chip out the skimmers and replace them 4” higher?

 

[sktn77a]

The builder is just being lazy and hoping you'll just accept that he doesn't want to do anything about his mistake(s). He's screwed up a $120,000 pool. You can't possible get a voluntary discount from him for the diminished value of the pool. I think it's time to call an attorney.