Help! They put the wrong finish on our new pool

Well, not unexpected, the pool contractor put he wrong color pebble finish on our new pool. I paid extra to have them put in a darker color. Now I’m faced with what to do about it.

They said they can drain and refinish the pool with the correct color. I’m not familiar with the procedure but it sounds like it’s just a cosmetic patch job that may not be happy with. I’m told that this is the procedure that is done when you eventually have to refinish a pool.

I don’t know that the end result will look like and what happens when in time I really do need to have it refinished? Will it become a bigger project since it’s already been done once?

Another option is of course, they will credit me the cost of the upgraded color and, for my consolation prize, give me a Jandy Aqualink that will allow me to control the temp of the pool by remote control from inside the house…big deal. That sounds like it’s a product that no one wants and he has one left over in the warehouse.


What should I do??

The remote control is nicer IMO than the wall-mounted thingy. Just keep in mind that it is cheaper for the PB to give you the remote, rather than a hard-mounted button thingy inside the house (or outside), which is probably why they're offering it as a consolation prize. I was offered the remote for no particular reason, and took it, since I want full automation from anywhere, inside or out. I think you should get more for your trouble besides just a refund on the color. You'll have to live with it for the rest of the time you reside in that home.

Can they chip out the old ptec and put the new in?

If you can live with this color take the money and the consolation prize. The more toys the better and you won't have a double finish on the pool. If on the other hand you will never be happy with it the way it is, then redo it. What good is the pool if you will be ticked off every time you go out there. The main thing is make them do what you want and what you will be happy with.

Bummer.... At least the PB is trying to make it right.

I think the replaser would give you exactly what you want but could make the next replaster more difficult. Then again, that's probably 10-15 years aways with pebble. I think it's the best option if you will never be happy with the current color. You want to unwind by the pool, not get stressed.

If you can live with the color, the Aqualink is much more than a consolation prize. This is especially true if you have a spa. One button and it moves all the valves and fires up the heater. You can even set it so it's ready and waiting after a night on the town. I compare ours to power windows/locks in a car -- not neccessary but I can't imagine using manual windows or a key to unlock the doors any more.

Everyone I know has war stories about their pool builder. Hope they quickly become a distant memory while you are lounging in the new pool.

The Aqualink "remote" is about $1200 to add to my pool/spa. Not a small consolation prize by my estimate.