Venue Pools

Venue Pools - 1-Year Review
A year ago, I penned a positive review upon the completion of my pool by Venue Pools mainly because they paid me to do it. However, 12 months later, I've encountered numerous challenges that warrant an updated review for the benefit of potential clients.
During the Pool Build:
1. Yard Damage: Despite being informed of the scope of work, the Venue Pools team exhibited an apparent lack of care. Their decision to dump excess concrete by my house resulted in dead patches of grass that are still recovering.
2. Wall Collapse:
From the outset, despite my repeated concerns about the stability of the dug-out pool, especially with impending rain. My concerns were not unfounded:
• First Incident: The initial signs of trouble appeared when I noticed a small section of the earth caving in. Despite multiple calls to Venue Pools' representative, Devin, assuring me with the line, "it will be fine, we got you", the expected happened. That small section gave way entirely, causing significant structural damage.
• Second Incident: Not long after, seeing more storms forecasted, I once again reached out to Devin, hoping for preemptive measures. Regrettably, I was met with the same dismissive assurance. The result? An even more catastrophic collapse. The deep end of the pool structure caved in completely, destroying half of the rebar in its wake. This disaster compromised the stability of my newly installed fence, endangering anyone who ventured near it.

The aftermath was equally distressing. When Devin finally took action, it came in the form of the concrete company spraying a thin layer of concrete to support the compromised walls. The very same concrete company questioned why they weren't called in sooner to prevent such a disaster, echoing my sentiments.

Shockingly, Venue Pools then presented me with an astounding $6,000 bill to rectify the situation — a situation that was a direct result of their negligence. After negotiations, I ended up shouldering $2,000 for concrete support that, in my opinion, should have been part of their damage control from the outset.
3. Masonry Flaws: The quality of the coping work was below par. Not only were pieces chipped, but the shoddy repair attempts with mortar were plainly evident. Promised repairs remain unfulfilled.
4. Property Damage: Accidents, including a severed french drain, broken fence gate, and damage to my brick mailbox, occurred throughout the construction. While some were caught on camera, I had to step in, either personally handling repairs or invoicing Venue Pools for the damages.
5. Skimmer Oversight: I discovered their mistake when my skimmer pushed leaves back into the pool. A call led to the realization that essential components had been omitted during installation.
6. Cleaning Service: Their complimentary cleaning service consistently rendered my pool unusable. The persistent cloudiness of the water each week compelled me to find an alternative service.
Post Build & The Hot Tub Saga:
1. Plaster Issues: Despite the fresh plaster job, unsightly stains marred its appearance. The company’s promises of natural fading proved false, forcing a prolonged negotiation that culminated in a $2.5k settlement.
2. Hot Tub Coping Fiasco: Barely half a year in, the coping of the hot tub began showing alarming signs:
• Loose Coping: The coping came off entirely in places. Their repair was hasty and aesthetically displeasing, with uneven placements and glaring grout color discrepancies.
• Hollow Coping: Many coping tiles sounded hollow when tapped. This lack of proper setting led to further issues, such as cracks. Their attribution of this to "wear and tear" was unacceptable.
3. Hot Tub Drainage Issue: A concerning nightly drop of water in the hot tub initiated a series of misdiagnoses. Leak detection attempts were futile. My investigations revealed plumbing errors, with excessive glue affecting the backflow. Their attempts at rectifying this further damaged the system. What’s more, upon identifying a separate leak issue at the spillway and its relation to their poor plaster and coping job, I was handed a hefty $1100 repair bill. Videos of the entire build process were the only way I could counter their assertions and highlight the lapses in their craftsmanship.
Conclusion: Deciphering Venue Pools' jargon became an unwanted skill - "We got you" typically translated to unforeseen expenses, and "wear and tear" seemed their standard response to avoid responsibility. Potential customers, I urge you to be wary. If you do choose Venue Pools, meticulous documentation is your best defense against unforeseen challenges.