We met Charlie a little over a year ago at the Dulles Expo Center for the Home Show they have there each year. After contacting three other pool companies, we signed a contract with Charlie & Melody to install a Barrier Reef Pool & Hot Tub.
Installation (i.E., grading and digging the holes) began quickly, but then we had a series of delays due to their sub-contractor problems. We were promised the pool was to be ready by Memorial Day weekend of 2007. The only reason why it was completed by July 4th was due to aggressive management on our part. The delays in the pool installation also resulted in delays to our landscaping company that was trying to install the patio and deck. We finally had to bring Charlie and our landscaper together for a meeting in our yard in order to get some basic scheduling and questions answered to complete the deck/patio.
As for the pool, the only significant installation issue we had is their electrician wasn't familiar with Prince William County codes. When it came time for the county to do their inspections, it failed. Prior to the final inspection, Charlie demanded the rest of his money and I said I was withholding the balance until it passed inspection and the terms of the contract were complete. Charlie finally managed to get a qualified electrician and he had to spend two days removing the faulty electrical work and install proper gauge cables, etc.
After the pool and hot tub were in, we had a series of discussions as to when our lawn/yard was going to be repaired. Despite insisting that they lay down particle boards so their excavator didn't tear up the lawn, they didn't. As a result, we were faced with several hundred square feet of sod that needed replacement along the side of the house as well as the backyard. Charlie did offer to help "regrade" the backyard, but we still ended up paying for the sod out of pocket as well as replaced several sections of privacy fence that they damaged.
Today, nearly a year later, we still have the signed note and contract indicating that Charlie owes us the covers for the pool & hot tub. The contract indicates that the installation of those covers is also included. Charlie asked us to call him in August when business would slow down and we could schedule the covers. We called, initially got no answers and after a series of phone calls over a few days, Charlie came out and took measurements in late October.in November, again after a series of phone calls, we got word from Charlie that he was going with a new supplier and that was the delay. Right before Christmas, Charlie finally returned several calls and offered that he gave up on the new supplier and was going back to his original supplier of covers.
It's now March. Still no covers. Still no returned phone calls. I tried e-mailing Charlie & Melody, and Melody has yet to respond. The e-mail to Charlie came back as undeliverable due to being over quota. I've got photos from throughout the installation process. As soon as this rain passes, I'll get photos of the "swamp" we have in our yard.
Finally, because we didn't have covers, leaves from neighbors ended up at the bottom of the pool. There is a lot of algae growth and I've already removed nearly 30 pounds of wet leaves from the bottom of the pool. There is no way the filtration system can handle the amount of matter in the pool. We're facing having to purge all the water, scrub the liner, and have a water truck bring 10,000 gallons of water to fill the pool back up. Who is going to pay for this?
Several friends & coworkers enjoy the pool, but to this day I will not offer where I ordered it from and who did the installation. I will not put family, friends, and associates through the headaches (I'm being VERY polite) that Charlie & Melody caused us.
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