“Just had a fiberglass pool with a sun shelf installed. After it being installed we noticed it sounded and felt hollow on the shelf… pool looks visibly unlevel when water is still.” This Reddit post, asking whether to get a lawyer involved, represents every pool owner’s nightmare. With responses ranging from “drain and reset” to discussions about complete deck demolition, it’s a stark reminder that choosing the wrong pool contractor can turn your backyard dream into a financial catastrophe.
The Contractor Horror Stories That Should Terrify You
The Unlevel Pool Disaster
One documented case revealed a pool “visibly out of level (we measured 4″ difference from corner to corner along the short side!).” The contractor had used construction debris for backfill—”big 18-24″ chunks of broken concrete, cinder blocks, and other various materials mixed with some gravel.” The result? Bowed-out sidewalls and a pool requiring complete reinstallation.
The Unlicensed Contractor Nightmare
“Unfortunately, she did not know at the time that the contractor was unlicensed and had many scary reviews online about his inability to finish jobs on time as well as the poor quality of work.” This homeowner signed a contract in February for completion by mid-July. The pool still wasn’t finished by the following year, with the contractor going silent for months at a time.
The Manufacturing Defect Cover-Up
“Our pool came with dimples and holes in the steps and within two weeks of the installation the whole pool warped at every curve.” When pools arrive damaged and contractors install them anyway, homeowners face battles with both the installer and manufacturer.
Red Flags Before You Sign
1. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Quote
If a bid is significantly lower than others (30% or more), run. These contractors often:
- Use substandard materials
- Cut corners on crucial steps
- Add expensive “surprise” charges later
- Disappear mid-project
What to do instead: Get at least 3-5 quotes. If one is drastically lower, ask specifically what’s not included.
2. Licensing and Insurance Red Flags
Major warning signs:
- Can’t provide license number immediately
- “My insurance is being renewed”
- Only offers a P.O. box address
- No physical business location
- License doesn’t match the business name
Reality check: “In my state/county an unlicensed contractor has no recourse to recoup unpaid funds from a project.” But more importantly, you have no recourse if things go wrong.
3. The Contract Disaster Zones
One victim’s contract was “poorly written and unprofessional. There is no specified completion time or date. There were no drawings or sketches or even a written description to indicate the work to be done.”
Contract must include:
- Detailed project scope with measurements
- Specific materials to be used
- Clear timeline with milestones
- Payment schedule tied to completion stages
- What happens if issues arise
- Warranty terms
Red flag phrases:
- “We’ll work out details as we go”
- “Standard installation”
- “Industry standard materials”
- “Verbal agreements are fine”
4. Payment Demands That Spell Trouble
Run if they want:
- More than 10-20% down
- Cash only payments
- Full payment before completion
- Payment before permits are pulled
Legitimate contractors:
- Accept multiple payment forms
- Provide detailed receipts
- Follow standard payment schedules
- Never demand large upfront payments
During Installation: Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
The Subcontractor Shell Game
“Unpaid subcontractors or liens being placed on your property due to contractor payment problems” is a nightmare scenario. Watch for:
- Different crews every day
- Subcontractors asking you about payment
- Workers mentioning they’re behind on pay
- Mechanics liens being filed
The Perpetual Change Order
While some changes are normal, constant requests for more money indicate:
- Intentional lowball bidding
- Poor planning
- Contractor cash flow problems
- Attempt to make up for low initial bid
The Vanishing Contractor
“The contractor basically went silent between May and September of last year and did not respond to emails.”
Warning signs:
- Crew doesn’t show up for days
- Can’t get contractor on phone
- Excuses about other emergency jobs
- Equipment left but no workers
Technical Red Flags During Installation
Improper Base Preparation
For fiberglass pools: “The best base material for a fiberglass pool is clean crushed gravel.” If you see:
- Sand being used as primary backfill
- Construction debris in the hole
- No gravel or improper gravel
- Rushing the base preparation
Stop the project immediately. “When sand gets saturated with water, it liquefies… The pressure from the liquefied sand can be stronger than the water inside the pool, causing the walls to bulge.”
Leveling Failures
“Based on my experience, there are two predominant causes of un-level fiberglass pools: improper leveling of the pool, and pool shell settlement.”
Watch for:
- No laser level or transit on site
- “Eyeballing” the level
- Rushing the leveling process
- Not checking level multiple times
Shell Damage During Installation
If your fiberglass pool arrives with:
- Visible cracks or spider webbing
- Dimples or deformations
- Gelcoat damage
- Structural concerns
Do not let them proceed. Document everything with photos and videos.
The Documentation Defense
“Follow Herman’s good advice, and start documenting the process. Communicate in writing when possible. Follow up on-site meetings and conversations with emails that detail all the talking points.”
Document Everything:
- Take daily progress photos
- Video any concerning issues
- Email summaries after verbal discussions
- Keep all text messages
- Save all receipts and paperwork
- Note dates/times of crew presence
Questions That Reveal Quality Contractors
Before Hiring, Ask:
- “Can you provide 10 references from the last year?”
- “What’s your process if we find issues during installation?”
- “Who exactly will be doing the work?”
- “What happens if you find unexpected soil conditions?”
- “Can I see your license and insurance certificates now?”
- “What specific materials will you use for backfill?”
- “How do you ensure the pool is level?”
- “What’s your rain delay policy?”
Red Flag Answers:
- “We don’t usually give references”
- “We’ll handle problems if they come up”
- “My crews vary depending on schedule”
- “We’ll deal with that if it happens”
- “I’ll bring those to the contract signing”
- “We use standard materials”
- “We’ve been doing this for years”
- “We work through weather”
When Things Go Wrong: Your Action Plan
Immediate Steps:
- Stop all work if you see major red flags
- Document everything with photos/video
- Get a second opinion from another contractor
- Check your contract for dispute resolution
- Contact licensing board about violations
- Consult an attorney if necessary
Legal Realities:
“Most pool contractors view [legal actions] as an inevitable part” of business. But for homeowners:
- Legal action is expensive
- Recovery can be difficult
- Prevention is always better
- Time lost is never recovered
Protecting Yourself: The Pre-Installation Checklist
Before Breaking Ground:
- Verify license with state board
- Call insurance company to verify coverage
- Check Better Business Bureau rating
- Read online reviews across multiple platforms
- Get all promises in writing
- Verify permit was actually pulled
- Meet the actual installation crew
- Understand the daily process
Trust Your Gut:
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Common intuition triggers:
- Contractor seems evasive
- Too much pressure to sign now
- Won’t provide specific information
- Gets defensive about questions
- Changes story between meetings
The Success Stories: What Good Contractors Do
Professional contractors:
- Provide detailed proposals
- Maintain consistent communication
- Have established crews
- Pull permits properly
- Welcome questions
- Provide extensive warranties
- Have proper equipment
- Follow industry standards
The Bottom Line
That Reddit user asking about lawyers for their unlevel pool faces a harsh reality: fixing a botched installation often costs more than the original project. Prevention through careful contractor selection is your only real protection.
Remember: “Installations by a bonded, experienced professional have two benefits: Work should be done right the first time. If work is not performed correctly initially, homeowners have the right to make a claim on repair work.”
Your pool is a massive investment—likely the largest home improvement you’ll make. Don’t let excitement cloud your judgment. Take time to thoroughly vet contractors, understand the process, and watch for red flags. The horror stories are real, but they’re also avoidable with proper diligence.
As one industry expert noted: “Do your research and ensure the dealer has good reviews from other installations they’ve done.” In pool installation, an ounce of prevention is worth 150,000 gallons of cure.