Crystal Pool & Spa Crystal Leak Detection Overcharged me, did damage to surrounding concrete, did not install all equipment, new plaster has extreme cracks. Internet

I contacted Shawn at Crystal Pool & Spa to schedule an

estimate to re-plaster my pool. Shawn said he could give me an exact estimate

over the phone. I asked Shawn how can he do this and he said he uses satellite

technology and his company services hundreds of pools a week.



After negotiating with Crystal Pool & Spa an agreed

contract was written and e-mailed to me. The contract was to include the

removal of my swimming pool plaster. Installation of 3 coats of new plaster and

upgrade to colored quartz plaster. Removal of the pool tiles and reinstallation

of new upgraded tiles. Plus installation of 3 moasic turtles I had previously

chosen.



I had hand written on this contract that a protective

barrier would be placed on the surrounding concrete. I also initialed my hand

written portion before signing this contract. I did this because I had just

spent over $10,000.00 on new color stained and stamped concrete in my backyard.

I signed a two page contract on 1/19/2011 with a total price of $6713.00 and

faxed the signed contract back to Crystal Pool & Spa.



Approximately two days later I arrived home and found the

demo was half way complete. I could see that no protective barrier had been

placed in my backyard and an extensive amount of damage surrounding my pool

caused by loose concrete, tools, and wheel barrels used for the demo. I called

Shawn and informed him of the damage done to my backyard. His reply was, I

would send a crew to repair the damage after the work is complete. I also

informed Shawn that the return fittings needed to be installed prior to the

plaster installation because the return lines are a smaller size then whats

used today. Shawn said this was common with older pools and all fittings will

be installed as per our contract.



On the day the plaster was poured I came home and found an

extensive amount of cracks in the new plaster and an extreme discoloration

where the steps in the deep end were filled with new plaster. A hose was left

in the deep end of the pool and the water hadnt reached the steps on the

shallow end of the pool. The old plaster didnt have half as many cracks as the

new plaster. I called Shawn who said the cracks were superficial and would go

away after I perform the proper start up procedure that included brushing the

surface 2 or 3 times a day.  



One week after the plaster was poured two men came to my

home and only hosed off the surrounding area. At that time I noticed that my

credit card was overcharged $560.00. I called Shawn who said he under-estimated

the cost of the deco tiles. I did not agree or sign my name to any cost over

$6,713.00 and would dispute this cost with my credit card. I also told him that

the surrounding area needs to be restored to the condition as found.



4 months later I paid Specialized Cleaning $700.00 to repair

the damage Crystal Pool & Spa did to the surrounding pool area. I have

provided photos and paid invoices of before and after the demo supporting this

information.



Crystal Pool & Spa have sent employees to my home on

five different occasions after they said the job was complete. On all five

occasions no work was preformed. Only photos were taken.



Jeff Kerber (909) 319-0877 the owner and sub-contractor for

Crystal Pools was one of the employees who came to my home. He said the only

way to remove the cracks was to acid wash the pool and that would remove a

large amount of plaster and shorten the life of the pool. Mr. Kerber also said

the return fittings should have been installed prior to the plaster

installation.Mr. kerber said the plaster naturally erodes away and then the

cracks would not be visible, this should take about a year. I informed Mr.

Kerber and Shawn that the warranty would expire in the same amount of time and

this is unacceptable.



As of today I still do not have the return fittings

installed, the cracks still exist and are progressing as each day passes, its

still visible where the steps once were, and the pool is losing approximately 3

inches of water a day. In the past it would take weeks for this much water to

evaporate.



I feel Crystal Pool & Spa underestimated the size of my

pool and therefore did not install enough plaster leaving the shallow end and

walls of the pool with only a light coat of plaster causing it to crack. I also

feel that Crystal Pool & Spa didnt communicate with the sub-contractors

they hired leaving me with no return fittings, damage to the surrounding area,

and overcharge in materials.



The only thing that is complete per our contract is the tile

that cost $1880. It cost me $700.00 to repair the surrounding concrete.

Enclosed is a copy of my receipt for this work preformed. The cost to refill my

pool is aprox $140.00 and $120.00 in chemicals. This leaves a total cost for

work performed at $920.00 as of today Crystal Pool & Spa has been paid

& $7,273.00 this leaves me at a cost of $6,353.00 owed to me from Crystal

Pool & Spa.



I have won my dispute through American Express and received

the full amount of charges refunded to my account. However, since then I have

received letters from Crystal Pool & Spas Attorney SCHWARTZ WISOT, LLP 315

South Beverly Drive, Suite 305 Beverly Hills , CA 90212 (310) 277-9595 (310)

277-0177 (Fax) who has threaten to file a mechanics lien on my home. This

Attorney has also sent me several letters stating they were going to take me to

court because I was defaming and slandering the company. I had American Express

repay Crystal Pool & Spa because I do not want a mechanics lean on my home

and filed a claim in Small Claims Court and won a judgment on 8/8/2011 in

Orange County Central Justice Center.