Mr. Carlos Pools & Construction; Happy Customer creates Pool Blog!!!

June 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Searching for pool companies is hard and there aren't many reviews that I've found online, so I think it's important to let each other know what we think!

I shopped around for pool builders a lot. Originally we we're told an all inclusive price of $40k would get us the features/size etc. we wanted.... but after paying for designs... the price of our pool started to get out of reach (over $50k) when the contracts started coming in (and we didn't add anything from the original info we gave to get the estimate!).

This annoyed me... (wouldn't had paid for the designs had i known it was over $50k). I shopped, disheartened.

Gary Gunderson came out to our house. He looked at our yard, and we played w/ the 3D pool software on his laptop, in real time, right there and then. (I had only seen 2d drawings at that point and I really do think it makes a difference in knowing what you want, particularly if you have raised bond beam/spas etc.)

He quoted me a very affordable price and before he left I said "thank you for not crushing my dreams" :) He gave me 4 references of pools he had built (2 which were just completed, 1 from a while back and 1 he was working on currently). I talked to 3 of the 4 and they all were happy.

We agreed to sign! Now I will say this: Gary is not the guy who stands over your pool and supervises every step. (I really don't think he ever implied that he did this, so I don't see a problem). I really don't have an issue with this as everyone he's had out has been competent and answered our questions. Wes (who works w/ Gary) has been as helpful as Gary when we call and get him instead (we talk to them both), and the contractors Gary works with have all worked nicely with us.

Building a pool is the most STRESSFUL thing ever. your yard is destroyed and you worry about everything.. It's kind of like PMS'ing.. any annoyance you have will be amplified.. but keep yourself in check with reality. :)

At the end of the day -

We had ZERO surprise costs that came up in the build (although sometimes surprises happen, through no fault of the pool builder.. it's something you should probably account for in case your yard has a 20 ft rock in it or what not)

Anytime we had questions and concerns - Gary patiently listened to and worked with us to address them. He is VERY patient and what matters to you, matters to him. We are very detail oriented and obsessive, if he can deal w/ us, he can deal w/ anyone.

Overall the pool/spa is GORGEOUS. We had an issue starting up our heater, and Gary is still working with us to make sure everything functions as it should. I always feel like we had a good support system w/ him around, even after the last dollar was paid.

We blogged our pool build so you can see the ups and downs and know what you're in for (no matter who you pick, this is a universal thing).

We have not posted the final pics but will soon. We want the landscaping to be done and were out of town. Overall though we are VERY happy.... and when I think about the price Gary was able to do it for - it was the difference between me getting the pool of my dreams, or not.... I went with Gary and the pool, and I have zero regrets!!

(Our Pool = 21x13 custom designed, 1 ft raised spa w/ infinity edge, raised bond beam/tiled planter wall, sheer descent, solar, salt, heated, easy touch automation, auto fill (two features I would have NEVER been able to afford w/ other companies.. amazing amazing amazing)

Here is a link the the pool blog - (becoming a lurker on the garden web pool section is a MUST for anyone building a pool!! but keep in mind there are several pool builders and each have their own 'rules and systems'... it's truly the wild wild west out there... )

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/pools/msg12224443482...

FINAL PICS ARE POSTED! FINALLY! (We're sorry we're late.. we were too busy swimming...) Overall, Highly Recommended. Would do business with again. Love our pool.

Also TIME LAPSE VIDEO OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3yylPvsBCs&context=C4a8eb...=



P.S. Gary bent over backwards to keep us happy, even at his own cost. He was always available by phone or email, he's STILL helping us after the last dollar was spent.