Pool location is wrong?

16 years ago

We are building a house and pool on the top of a hill, at the edge of a gorgeous slope. Our general engineer has known from the beginning that our pool is going to be right on the edge, with a negative edge. Our soil engineer did the sampling/testing for the soil for the house and the pool. At this point, the hole is dug, the rebar is in place, and they were supposed to shoot the gunite starting at 7am this morning.

We have just been told that the location of our pool was not set up correctly for a pool... even though our general contractor and the soil engineer [hired by the general contractor] both knew the location of the pool many months ago. The pool company now says they have to undo all the work that they have done up to this point, and re-do the pool.

My question is... who is to blame and what should we do from here? This is the first time we have heard that the location of the pool is incorrect. The re-work that they will have to do to the pool will cost thousands of dollars. We were blindsided by this, and would like some information from anyone who has come across this situation before.

Thank you for your input!

-Dancingsams

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Comments (6)

Ron Natalie
16 years ago
I'd start with the GC. What does he say about this mess?
sue36
16 years ago
"Incorrect" HOW? Wrong location? Bad soil? Can you elaborate?
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jojoco
16 years ago
How frustrating! It sounds like a breathtaking place for a pool. I can just picture it. I agree with ronnatalie, start with the GC. You should not have to eat these costs alone.
Jo
meldy_nva
16 years ago
I'm with ronnatalie. Just what is wrong, and why wasn't it noticed by either the GC or the soil engineer? And just who in the pool company is saying something is wrong, and does that someone have qualifications to support the claim?

Frankly, I'd wonder if the pool company underbid the job, and is hunting for a way to make up the difference. I mean, did they underbid the original plan and if so, could they intend to pad the cost of "changes" to make up the difference?

OTOH, we're talking earthmoving, and unpleasant surprises are often involved when earth is moved. If there are doubts about the original reports from the GC's soil engineer, get another expert in, who is not affiliated with either the GC or the pool company.
trudymom
16 years ago
If the GC hired the pool company, then the GC needs to figure it out. Should not be any $ out of your pocket. They need to figure it out and do it correctly.
dancingsams
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi all,

My daughter posted this on my behalf, since I was out at the jobsite with hubby trying to figure things out. The GC has been working for us for about a year. He is awesome!!! The pool contractor (PC) (we hired the pool contractor seperately) has been on the job for about 4 weeks.

Following is what I learned yesterday at the site:

The GC has been keeping an eye on the PC. The GC asked the PC 3 different times during the preperation if the PC had confirmed the soils tests and soil compaction. The PC told the GC "everything is under control".

Tuesday the PC had the inspector out to get the sign off prior to shooting the gunnite. The inspector asked about the soils test. The PC got hold of the soils engineer's boss, who told folks "I never knew a pool was going in". This is ridiculous, since the pool is clearly shown on the building plans, and the soils engineer had discussed the pool with us, the GC and the graders (soil moving people - I don't know the right term) 12 months previous!

Basically, the inspector and soils engineer are saying that there are two types of soil (fill and native) and they are now checking with with the pool engineering company to see what will happen next.

My opinion, currently, is that the PC is to blame. I also don't want to totally alienate him, since we really want the pool done correctly.

So - am I totally off base?
Thank You!