PB disappeared ->Half an owner build

[hooraysimpsons]

Edit: Currently planning to take this over as an owner contracted build, see post 19. The two threads were combined.

I haven't been able to contract my pool builder for over a week. Website is down, office number disconnected, no answer to emails, no answer to phone calls to general manage/owner nor the project manager.

I know there's a long process ahead for me to get this fixed. My question for the forum for now: Total estimate was ~124k. I've paid ~85k. 20x40 gunite pool with tanning ledge pump out, slide, diving board. Gunite and underground piping done and inspection passed. Trenches still open. Need electrical run, equipment, plaster, tile, deck etc. Comparing my % paid to the % of work completed: How much can I estimate I'm going to lose from all this? I'm hoping the number isn't as big as I'm thinking it'll be to help with the stress of it all.

Thanks

 

[ajw22]

Only way you will know is by getting some quotes from other builders to complete the work.

Consider being your GC from here and hiring the sub-contractors directly. It will save you money and give you more control over the outcome.

Drive around your area, find pool builds, and talk to the contractors on site about what you need done.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

H,

My pull it out of my rear guess it that it will cost you another $65K to complete the job.. so $85 + $65 = $150K

Let's see what some of our members, who do this stuff for a living, have to say...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

You need to check if the contractors who did the work - gunite, plumbing, etc. - have been paid or if they will come to you for payments or put a lien on your house.

 

[hooraysimpsons]

Thanks for responses so far. I called another builder and it does sound like my PB has left town. Current plan:
1. Check if any money recoverable though I doubt it.
2. Check if subs were paid although I don't think I'd be responsible for paying them if not.
3. Get estimates from other PBs
4. Decide whether to use other PBs or GC myself. I was considering this anyways for the whole build so we'll see.

 

[Jimrahbe]

although I don't think I'd be responsible for paying them if not.

H,

You might want to double check that..

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

2. Check if subs were paid although I don't think I'd be responsible for paying them if not.
.

Unfortunately, check with a local attorney about that.

And watch your house title for mechanics liens for unpaid work done at the property.

 

[Newdude]

+3. Give your money to a 3rd party who said they'd pay the subs. The court won't care about the 3rd party when the sub isn't paid, you'll be responsible.

You then need to go after the 3rd party seperately, and in the case of a folded business, there may be nothing to go after. Or very little left once split however many ways there are lawsuits against the business.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Go to your state board of contractors and see if there is a bond you can recover from or what other remedies they might be able to provide.

 

[StuartBound]

+4. Check your contract. Mine has it in bold that I am responsible if the subs aren't paid, even if I paid the PB! Big news to me, but thats a thing in Florida and, as I found out, in many other states as well.

 

[kimkats]

I have a HUGE sad for you! This is not fun or fair Keep us in the loop and we can and will help you get your pool up and running.

 

[hooraysimpsons]

Thanks everyone so far. The last thing the PB did and I think it was their employee was install the rough in plumbing, electrical conduit. Reading through the best practices the ideal is to have the pipes beside each other but they have some of them on top of each other or crossing. They were going to backfill with pea gravel I think. I plan to use sand. Anything I can do to give the pipes some separation other than trying to get the sane between them. Ignore the destroyed irrigation line at the top

 

[ajw22]

Pea gravel will not settle and wash out the way sand may around the pipes and better support it long term.

Gravel Around Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[hooraysimpsons]

Pea gravel will not settle and wash out the way sand may around the pipes and better support it long term.

Gravel Around Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks. I was looking at Construction Best Practices - Further Reading which says to use sand around the pipes but didn't click the gravel link which then says gravel is better.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. I was looking at Construction Best Practices - Further Reading which says to use sand around the pipes but didn't click the gravel link which then says gravel is better.

Thanks for pointing that out. I updated the Construction wiki to be clearer.

 

[hooraysimpsons]

Thanks for pointing that out. I updated the Construction wiki to be clearer.

Np, I appreciate the wiki. I think I'm starting to get a handle on things or at least what needs to happen next. Still have several people to come give estimates are various portions of work....
1. Electrical to finish bonding work (including for hand rail and ladder, yes we are planning to have those).
2. Back fill trenches
3. Our top candidate thus far for tile and coping also can do decking.

He wants to do decking before plaster. This was another area the wiki was a little unclear. At the top the decking is last. However, the order of plaster and decking seems to be a flexible order. Is the preference for decking at the end so that it occurs after finish plumbing electrical to allow easier access if issues are noted?

Still waiting to hear back from the plaster companies. The tile guy was asking about thickness of plaster to ensure tile is even. Any reason I can't specify plaster thickness?

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

With our new build they did plaster/pebble at the very end after everything else was done including the decking. I believe that’s pretty typical based on other pictures I’ve seen of new builds. Good luck with everything!

 

[ajw22]

Decking install can make a mess that you don’t want in your pool water and new plaster.

A good plaster company will cover over the deck and protect it from their mess.

 

[hooraysimpsons]

Hello all,

This is my original post I think my pool builder disappeared. Estimating my loss

I’ve had a couple PBs come by to give estimates on taking over the job. They seemed interested but no one has actually submitted an estimate so it looks like I’ll be doing an owner build the rest of the way. I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions over time. My top ones currently are at the end.

Pool layout as designed in picture below. Although the original PB made the tanning ledge larger than intended and the transition from deep to shallow ends too soon. We’ll need to downgrade our diving board from Class III to II but not a big deal. Current work site pictured as well.

We are doing heat pump/chiller. No spa. Currently planning to stick with Jandy equipment including automation. I’m tempted by the DIY options because I already have a lot of DIY automation at my home but for WAF I’m going to keep it simple. SR Smith turbotwister slide. SR Smith 6 foot truetread diving board with salt water jump system. Considering adding some poolside jets to fancy it up a bit.

Stairs are rounded in actual build.


Next to tanning ledge is 2'9"




My current questions:

• Decking. Previously we had planned concrete. I’m skeptical as a homeowner being able to find someone to do a nice finish and make sure it gets done well. I’m currently leaning towards concrete base with travertine pavers. Question: any input on base layer between pavers and concrete, seeing a lot of different options?
• Sub-contractor interaction: One of the employees of the now defunct company is offering to complete their portion of the work as a sub-contractor. What is a polite but straightforward way to say I want to do the work more consistent with best practices rather than just the minimum the previous PB was shooting for? I’m ok with paying them more to do better work.
• I’m having a hard time getting local plaster companies to come give estimates. When they do show I want to be prepared to keep things straightforward for them. Can I rely on them to determine specifications (plaster thickness) or better to give my preferred specifications?

 

[Bperry]

Hello all,

This is my original post I think my pool builder disappeared. Estimating my loss

I’ve had a couple PBs come by to give estimates on taking over the job. They seemed interested but no one has actually submitted an estimate so it looks like I’ll be doing an owner build the rest of the way. I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions over time. My top ones currently are at the end.

Pool layout as designed in picture below. Although the original PB made the tanning ledge larger than intended and the transition from deep to shallow ends too soon. We’ll need to downgrade our diving board from Class III to II but not a big deal. Current work site pictured as well.

We are doing heat pump/chiller. No spa. Currently planning to stick with Jandy equipment including automation. I’m tempted by the DIY options because I already have a lot of DIY automation at my home but for WAF I’m going to keep it simple. SR Smith turbotwister slide. SR Smith 6 foot truetread diving board with salt water jump system. Considering adding some poolside jets to fancy it up a bit.

Stairs are rounded in actual build.
View attachment 635649

Next to tanning ledge is 2'9"
View attachment 635650

View attachment 635657

My current questions:

• Decking. Previously we had planned concrete. I’m skeptical as a homeowner being able to find someone to do a nice finish and make sure it gets done well. I’m currently leaning towards concrete base with travertine pavers. Question: any input on base layer between pavers and concrete, seeing a lot of different options?
• Sub-contractor interaction: One of the employees of the now defunct company is offering to complete their portion of the work as a sub-contractor. What is a polite but straightforward way to say I want to do the work more consistent with best practices rather than just the minimum the previous PB was shooting for? I’m ok with paying them more to do better work.
• I’m having a hard time getting local plaster companies to come give estimates. When they do show I want to be prepared to keep things straightforward for them. Can I rely on them to determine specifications (plaster thickness) or better to give my preferred specifications?

Subcontractor: just tell him exactly how you want it done and ask if he has any alternate suggestions to consider. It’s not rude or unexpected.

Plaster folks: let them decide on thickness but you can tell them any minimum thickness. But tell them what brand and color you want if you know in advance. They’ll often have a preferred brand and let you pick the color a bit later.

I’ve found that you may have to wait until more of it is done to get the plaster folks to be more responsive. Once they see the deck ling done, it’ll be obvious that you’re serious on finishing soon.