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-   -   Swimming pool nightmare ... (https://britishexpats.com/forum/barbie-92/swimming-pool-nightmare-586395/)

Sheilas Wheels Jan 22nd 2009 1:05 pm

Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
Hi, we are having a pool built but at the moment having a bit of a nightmare! Basically we wanted two shallow ends of 1.2m going into a middle of 1.8m. The builders have dug 1.5m at each end which means my youngest wont even be able to touch the bottom!! They concreted it on 10th December and basically haven't been back but have sent us a whopping bill for the excavation (double what was estimated) and added on a $655 builders margin ??which has never been mentioned. Builder keeps promising to come round to sort things out and look at concrete shell but never turns up!! Just looking for some advise as to where we stand legally??

Any info would be gratefuly appreciated! Cheers Nat

dejags Jan 22nd 2009 1:07 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by Sheilas Wheels (Post 7203067)
Hi, we are having a pool built but at the moment having a bit of a nightmare! Basically we wanted two shallow ends of 1.2m going into a middle of 1.8m. The builders have dug 1.5m at each end which means my youngest wont even be able to touch the bottom!! They concreted it on 10th December and basically haven't been back but have sent us a whopping bill for the excavation (double what was estimated) and added on a $655 builders margin ??which has never been mentioned. Builder keeps promising to come round to sort things out and look at concrete shell but never turns up!! Just looking for some advise as to where we stand legally??

Any info would be gratefuly appreciated! Cheers Nat

Did you have a HIA Contract or similar? These things are normally done with a fairly watertight specification and contract - if it's in writing, you will have a leg to stand on. Did the pool contractor have all the necessary and relevant insurance? Did they give you a copy of the policy?

If not, I don't really know where you would stand.

hoofie2002 Jan 22nd 2009 1:14 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by Sheilas Wheels (Post 7203067)
Hi, we are having a pool built but at the moment having a bit of a nightmare! Basically we wanted two shallow ends of 1.2m going into a middle of 1.8m. The builders have dug 1.5m at each end which means my youngest wont even be able to touch the bottom!! They concreted it on 10th December and basically haven't been back but have sent us a whopping bill for the excavation (double what was estimated) and added on a $655 builders margin ??which has never been mentioned. Builder keeps promising to come round to sort things out and look at concrete shell but never turns up!! Just looking for some advise as to where we stand legally??

Any info would be gratefuly appreciated! Cheers Nat

Contact a lawyer and get him/her to contact them.

dpwilliams Jan 22nd 2009 1:51 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
The office of fair trading will probably be able to give you some advice:

http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/

Sheilas Wheels Jan 22nd 2009 4:49 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
Thanks for your advise. We did sign a water tight contract and they are members of SPASA but basically we just want to get the thing finished!

have made appointment with solicitor for Wednesday - hopefully get it all sorted - thanks again for advise.

Tiawamutu Feb 21st 2009 3:12 am

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
Was reading your post and just wondered, how did you get on with it all?

spartacus Feb 21st 2009 8:56 am

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by Sheilas Wheels (Post 7203584)
We did sign a water tight contract and they are members of SPASA but basically we just want to get the thing finished!

A water-tight contract . . . for a swimming pool! . . . get it?! . . . a water-tight contract!! . . . . . . . . .











I'll get my coat . . .

Are you sure they weren't members of SPACAs?

KLF Feb 21st 2009 10:04 am

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
Never mind, your youngest will grow. Probably just in time for when it's all sorted. :lol:

viviennef Feb 21st 2009 11:21 am

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
We are just about to get a pool done and I have heard so many horror stories. I am not sure how good spasa actually is as up here the builder with the worst reputation is quite high up and has won lots of awards. however they are really really low in ethics.

Its taking me forever to try to decide on an operator - its a minefield. I am negotiating at the moment to have fixed excavation, dirt removal etc costs.

Did you get yours sorted? did you call the BSA?

Vivienne

Tiawamutu Feb 21st 2009 4:38 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 7308707)
A water-tight contract . . . for a swimming pool! . . . get it?! . . . a water-tight contract!! . . . . . . . . .











I'll get my coat . . .

Are you sure they weren't members of SPACAs?

:rolleyes: :lol:

Tiawamutu Feb 21st 2009 4:43 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by viviennef (Post 7308989)
We are just about to get a pool done and I have heard so many horror stories. I am not sure how good spasa actually is as up here the builder with the worst reputation is quite high up and has won lots of awards. however they are really really low in ethics.

Its taking me forever to try to decide on an operator - its a minefield. I am negotiating at the moment to have fixed excavation, dirt removal etc costs.

Did you get yours sorted? did you call the BSA?

Vivienne

My friend did it all on his own. Got the hole dug by one person (who had been recommended), got the brickwork and rendering done by somebody else, and had a liner pool put in. Turned out much cheaper that doing it with a single company, and he's very happy with the result.

the plumber Feb 21st 2009 5:12 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
i deal with pool maintenance all the time and belive me the last thing you want is a liner type pool........


all the best plumb.....:thumbdown:

Tiawamutu Feb 21st 2009 5:24 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by the plumber (Post 7309446)
i deal with pool maintenance all the time and belive me the last thing you want is a liner type pool........


all the best plumb.....:thumbdown:

I probably wouldn't go for that type either, but it's each to their own I suppose.

What problems have you come across with liner pools?

viviennef Feb 21st 2009 5:25 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 
My husband could do it but he said that its too much like hardwork - we want a concrete one and he reckons, its not worth the stress for what you save. better get someone who does it all the time.

The quotes are blowing my mind though, like whats the difference in 450mm pebblecrete and 400mm rollover :)

Vivienne

spalen Feb 21st 2009 7:16 pm

Re: Swimming pool nightmare ...
 

Originally Posted by viviennef (Post 7309461)
My husband could do it but he said that its too much like hardwork - we want a concrete one and he reckons, its not worth the stress for what you save. better get someone who does it all the time.

The quotes are blowing my mind though, like whats the difference in 450mm pebblecrete and 400mm rollover :)

Vivienne

We used porpoise pools in brisbane - they are excellent. Good price, good quality gear included ( the pump, barracuda etc are good makes) workmen were good and they kept in touch and did it all on time. v.Happy.


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