Almost there ... in the last week, we have seen decent progress, in reality the project is almost complete. It hasn't been without its share of issues and setbacks. Over the last week, they plumbed the deck jets (now in the deck). This was a 4 hr event that Junior completed. These have not been tested, but we (Junior) remains confident that there will be no problem. They also formed the deck and poured it. Unfortunately, the deck pouring didn't go exactly as planned, with the cement setting to quickly. This has the unfortunate effect of not allowing them to put a finish on. The deck area closest to the house (right side of picture), is unfinished, full of bumps, ridges and "holes". The deck guy was very upset, he was ready to pour at 10a, but the pump truck (takes 3 different groups) wasn't. The concrete showed up on time, and since there was no way to get the stuff to the backyard (pump), it set in the truck for almost 2 hrs. When they poured, it hardened so fast he couldn't complete the job. Not sure how they will fix it, the deck guy, said he would grind down the ridges, fill the voids and apply an acrylic texture to give it consistency. This was the "premium" deck option, that I didn't want to pay for. I know I'm not going to pay for it, so they will have to. No one has come to clean the pool as Junior had said they would. So, I've been doing that chore. It isn't so bad, and am looking forward to having the automatic cleaner to take over . We had noticed that the water was dropping about 1" every day. I called on Monday to let Junior know and was told it was likely evaporation. When I insisted that it was 1" per day, he said he'd come over. I had dug up the pipes in the area where water had pooled. This made the leak, more like 1" per hour. On Tuesday the "crew" came to inspect the leak. What they found was 2, 3/4" holes drilled into the skimmer line. Apparently they had installed a pipe with holes in it. They replaced the broken section, no more leak. Although they did insist that there couldn't be a leak, since they never have leaks . So, what's left ... 1. Fix the deck, 2. Demonstrate the deck jets working, 3. Install the fiber optic cable for the light, 4. Grade the yard, 5. Get the rest of the "stuff" (cleaner, jet "eyes", rails). What continues to surprise me, is that Junior (the PM) is never here when they are doing the work. He showed up yesterday, at the end of day to collect payment for the deck. I pointed out that the deck wasn't finished and that the fiber optic wasn't in place. I explained that I would not pay 45% of the job, keeping only 5% back until enough work was completed, so that the 5% could cover the remaining work. This meant, fix the deck, put in the fiber optic. He had the nerve to say that the contract said, that I would have to pay when the deck was poured, and that they would do no further work until I provided payment. I explained that once they completed the deck and the demonstrated the fiber optic cabling working, I would pay him. If that was a problem, he could have the owner call me, or take me to court. He explained that they never have any problems with the fiber optic and that I should pay, I pointed out that he told me they never had problems with the plumbing (see holes in pipe) and with decking (see deck unfinished). In the end, he said they'd fix the deck and put in the fiber optic cabling next week. He also, again, said someone would be by to clean the pool. I've now heard this almost every time he has come by, and have never seen anyone come clean the pool. We're close ... at least we are swimming and for that I am happy with the choice we made. It is a very nice pool, great texture, nice clean and simple design. The kids love it and it adds nicely to the quality of life.

August 1st and 2nd ... What a difference the last 2 days have made. It is like I've seen another company, the company I contracted with at the beginning. To my surprise, upon returning from work on Tuesday, I found progress. People had come, the trench had been dug, dirt had been moved, the skimmer was in place and the plumbing on the pump had started. While the trench didn't follow the path I had outlined, I was so happy with the unexpected progress, that I'll live with it. When we do the addition, we will have to replumb the lines. Oh well, a small price to pay, and one that won't happen for a while. Wednesday turned out to be just as good, a crew appeared in the morning, new people, one's I hadn't seen before. They continued with the work around the pool and with the plumbing at the pump. It turned out that this was the "inhouse" crew, and that they did the work the day before and would be the ones completing the pool. Very nice, incredibly polite and appeared to know their trade. By end of day on Wednesday, the pool was completely filled, the ladder (temporary) in place, the dirt to "deck" level and the trench and plumbing almost complete. They left at 5p, with about 1 hr of work left. All communications they had was with Wes, which turned out not to be the Wes I was dealing with (aka Junior), but Wes, the owner. Man am I happy. Note to self, in the future, always deal with the owner. Don't know what happened to get the crew involved or Wes (owner) involved, but I like it, and the progress shows. On a side note, they had to change some of the plumbing that Marty did, specifically around the deck jets, so it was a good thing they came. As to make the changes later, might have meant breaking up concrete. So, about 12 hrs of work performed in the last 2 days. About 1 hour of plumbing, the electrical (coming on Friday) and we can start the pool. Wow, we may actually be swimming this weekend, how the clouds have cleared. They have truly redeemed themselves, now let's hope we can keep this going until the end. Once the pool is online, I think it is only the deck left. Last 2 days, I love this company, it is what I was promised, fast, courteous, and straight forward.