ARTESIAN POOLS AND SPAS

I had a pool constructed in 2009. Pool installation went very fast. Probably too fast. The plaster has had a stained look since construction. Cool deck started peeling up in first year. They came back and patched several time. After about 3 years, I was told they had to replace the cool deck at the cost of $2800. They patched until I was out of the warranty period.

Design work and construction went quickly. My problem was the quality. The pool plaster has a stained look from the time it was constructed. They acid washed the pool with no change. My biggest concern was the cool deck. The cool deck started flaking away is section within a year of construction. They patched they sections for a couple of years and then told me it was out of warranty and the whole deck needed to be redone after 4 years.

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This was by far the worst experience Ray Orta is a salesman with no knowledge of how to construct the product he is selling! Not only could he not finish in the time her spected out we ended up firing him in the process for poor workmanship. I had to hire a contractor from Phoenix to fix and finish the pool...we are almost a year from when we started and it still isn't done, we now have to redo the basin for the negative edge because Artesian Pools couldn't calculate how big it needed to be based on gallons of water and due to the size of the pool it sucks the basin dry. And that's just one issue...we have leaks and the system wasn't plumbed correctly and the whole pool had to be refloted prior to plaster...needless to say it has already cost me an additional 30,000.00 to fix and we aren't done. Ray was unwilling to help fix the issues and walked away from the huge mess he created! Using this contractor I feel robbed with no way to hold him accountable...please take this review with all seriousness and spend a little extra for a out of town contractor it will save you the tears and the feeling of no way of holding him accountable...I feel sad for any homeowners with a artesian sign in their front yard...his sign states quality yet he needs to read and learn the definition of quality!

Everything about this was smooth. I met with Ray Orta (owner) and discussed what I wanted. We looked at other similar examples in the neighborhood. He got back to me with an estimate within a few days. Although it was initially higher than I had anticipated the quality of the work once they got started made me happy I didn't cut corners and go with someone that was cheaper. Ray contacted me several times during construction to ask specifics on how I wanted something done rather than just assume it was to be done a certain way. Very good communication on his part. In the end we have a great looking privacy wall with stucco that matches color of my house perfectly and a very nice patio. It added a whole extra place to relax and entertain to our home. Looking to add and patio and outdoor fireplace to the backyard next and I won't hesitate to call Ray again.

It went well. We are pleased with the results. Our only criticism was the process took longer than expected. However, the completed work is excellent. We would highly recommend Artesian Pools and Spas to others.

We are 100% pleased with them and their work.

Ray Orta, the owner of Artesian Pools, came out to the house promptly after we called to set up an appointment. He sat down with us and discussed the entire process for constructed a pool and went out back to take measurements. He was very polite and knowledgeable and gave us a good idea of what he envisioned for the pool. We had a small backyard with limited space. He came back within a week with a proposed drawing and a price list of all available options for the pool. The plans look very good and he was very open to ideas for changes. We worked with him over the course of two to three weeks in choosing colors, tiles, and decking. We would have liked more input on what we should do based on his experience, as we did not have any set fast requirements. Although we understood that every pool is different and individual preferences are unique, his experience on what looks best or works best would have been helpful. He did provide some input, which helped us a make a decision, but it was always very tentative. The workers came each day for the first week or so, as the initial excavation was being conducted; although only for the morning time. After that the crew then came less regularly or for shorter period s of time each day. The pool equipment was installed without incident, although the gas lines for the heater were not rust-proof and are now completely covered in rust. The concrete was poured, although the steps into the pool were not the way my wife tried to explain to them that she wanted. After the pour it was too late to make changes. Also, the tiles utilized to mark the steps and seating area (small diamond shapes to show the edge) were done with the lowest quality tiles they could find or scraps from the tiles we used for the edging. There were delays in equipment arriving, tiles order sheets getting lost, and other factors that account for the “C” marks in professionalism and punctuality. Although I mentioned some issues, the only major complaint we have with the services provided was the lack of communication from the company. When the workers did not show up for two-three days, we called and found out there was a delay in the equipment being shipped. When we asked about the delay in finishing the pool, we found out the order forms were lost for the plaster and tiles. Things never go as planned and we accept that there will be delays or mix ups, but a lack of communicating these issues is what upset us. Artesian Pools needs to assign responsibility to provide customers with updates on at least a weekly basis to someone on the staff. This will help the customer feel informed and prevent frustration of constantly checking on the status of the job. Although whenever there was a problem with anything (the pump, the auto-leveler, etc.), Artesian Pools is quick to respond and fix the problem, either by walking you through the steps or coming out and fixing it themselves.

When we designed our house we knew we wanted a pool, hot tub, fire pit and outdoor kitchen. We also wanted it to compliment out house (which was under construction). After getting designs and quotes from several businesses, we decided to go with Artesian Pool (owner Ray Orta). Ray is very nice and professional. The construction went very well and he worked well with the builders so that they didn't conflict with one another. He made sure the pool was completed, filled and ready to use prior to use moving in (Oct 2010). Everything turned out great! However, when we went to heat out pool a month later, the heater wouldn't function properly. Ray was quick to dispatch his expert to troubleshoot the problem (numerous times). This went on for several months without resolution, finally a factory rep from SunTouch paid us a visit, Ray was on hand and the problem was resolved. The issue turned out to be a conflict between the heater and the control panel, and involved the equipment, not the installation. Kudos to Ray for seeing the problem through. Although we were quite disappointed and frustrated that we were not able to use our pool the first winter, it was not the fault of Artesian Pools. Everyone who visits our house always comments on the beauty our pool.

I had a great experience working with them. He was very customer friendly. He was very cool when we changed our minds on the concept. They did an excellent work. After the construction of the pool, he sent people to make sure that everything worked. They did their job the way they said they would. They are very experienced, and I would actually refer them to people.

Company was very unprofessional. Owner came out and gave free estimate. He seemed professional and knowledgeable compared to other companies that gave me an estimate. His work crews were very unprofessional. A 3 day job ended up taking a week and a half. Workers chipped up old pool deck and did not clean it up. That night the pool pump clogged up with debris they left in pool and ruined pool pump. Second day they jackhammered section to replace and drove a wooden spike through a sprinkler line that flooded backyard next morning. Next day they did nothing but fix sprinkler line they ruptured and tried to get pool pump running. I tried to contact owner, but he avoided me so I gave his office assistant a letter I wrote expressing my disappointment. On thursday they were a no show, but after receiving my letter and mentioning legal action they showed on friday and poured new concrete. owner assured me they would be done by following wednesday (which they were) and that i would get a new pool pump. They replaced pump with an old pump and couldn't even do that right. The replacement pump leaks. After close examination of their actual work on the deck, it looks ok but they cut the grout out of about 10 tiles on the water line and did not replace it. They never totally finished the job and I don't want them back. These people are clowns- do not hire them!