Heritage Custom Pools

Initial Pool install (it was 1 day) went ok- but I should start at the beginning. Al helped with the permits, but then the problems started. The permits were rejected, twice as the person hired by Al put the wrong calculation for our stormwater system the township required in one place, but had it correct in another. Al wanted us to absorb the additional permit fees, we settled on a 50/50 split - even though it was not our issue. After that we were fine with the rest of the install. The pool went in in 1 day as promised, and then the waiting game began. Al wanted it to rain "for things to settle". It took about a month. Then, once the concrete went in, things really started going bad. We closed the pool right away the first season (he didn't finish the install until December 2nd, and it got cold right away). The very next season when we took the temporary cover off, there was delamination on the concrete. It took to midway through the following season (July) to have a "repair" done - where the subcontractor essentially painted the concrete, causing a new issue. The paint caused the concrete to get hot. Really hot, over 140 degrees in full sun - so essentially we could no longer walk on our pool deck. In addition, the job seemed rushed, and was rather shoddy. There were paint drips on the tile and lip. We were willing to let all of this pass until the following season started. The cover was taken off, and the delamination was back. It took an additional *YEAR*, and dozens of calls, emails and text messages to finally have the concrete replaced. At the start of the 2016 pool season, I explained we didn't want to lose any swimming time and we wanted to get the replacement done ASAP. Of course, Al stalled to the last possible second and couldn't get a permit in time (he agreed to this the prior year and had all winter to get a permit, but didn't even bother calling the township to see what was required- we did that)- so we agreed to have the concrete replaced while we were on vacation over July 4th. But yet again, It wasn't done in time- and we got back to a mess! The old concrete was pulled out, but no new concrete. It took until July 12 for us to see the new concrete. In addition, the pool was full of stones, silt and pieces of concrete, which ended up scratching and damaging the clearcoat in places. Additionally, I had to clean the filter as a result of the work. In addition, when the township inspector came out for the concrete replacement - we failed the initial inspection! Throughout the 3 year process Al was rude, argumentative, avoidant, dishonest, and condescending to both my wife and I. For example, Al was refusing to close of the pool in 2016 year because I have not paid the last two years of maintenance, which we refused to pay until the concrete was replaced and the holes were properly drilled for the winter cover, of which he was made aware when we started this issue. After much back and forth he agreed to close the pool, but failed to clean up after his subs when they replaced the concrete (even though he promised). I had to do that. Finally- and he left without taking our salt system out or installing our cover pump. Furthermore, once he has your money, he's nearly impossible to get a hold of. For example, He started my pool at the start of the 2016 season and the pump motor was making horrible noise. There was zero feedback from him at all, I had to go to a competitor for a warranty replacement. When the salt system mysteriously exploded the year prior (it actually blew up - the top went flying into the neighbors yard!), there were no return phone calls until I called the manufacturer and told them it exploded. In a nutshell - This has been a 3 year ongoing headache and drama. Al uses substandard subs, does things on his schedule, and is dishonest. I would recommend avoiding him for your pool installation and maintenance needs.