We have spent $70, 000 for a pool that was to be completed and promised several times by 9/7 so my husband could have a family event before his 49 year old sister died. She died 2 weeks ago. They are 5 weeks post promise date and there have been numerous problems. Most importantly - NO COMMUNICATION and NO ONE CARES. Today after my husband was pushed over the edge due to POOR work - cracks in the pool, delay here and there (and the weather has been good, so that can't be used) they said "well, we'll come back in the spring and finish it." I am so mad I refuse to talk to my husband. Whoever Nikki is is a joke. If you call her or anyone else they do not call. Heck Steve was to call me when he got back from lunch 3 weeks ago. NICE LUNCH. The saleman sold my husband. I do not trust or respect this company. I've had many major projects done at my house and I have never encountered such a HORRIFIC organization in all of my life. THE WORST. Normally I give people the benefit of the doubt but this is a poorly managed company and someone there needs to read the book THE PURPLE COW, because they are not. They are Goodwill only at Lord and Taylor Prices. Someone said why did you go cheap. $70, 000 is cheap??

They are the worst!!! They do not hold up to their promises, it took weeks to get anyone out for the survey, then about another 6 weeks for them to SUBMIT the permits (this should be done in a few days) then during the job they would not show up for weeks at a time, it took about 4 months for them to finish my pool, my friend had one done and it took a total of 5 weeks from the permit phase to completion!! I would rather swim in a kiddie pool than ever build with them again!! What a nightmare this was and it took the fun out of the pool for the first summer we had it because of the nightmare process.

ALSO - during the process they kept trying to raise the cost for this and that saying it was not included in original price and everything WAS>>> What a bunch of liars, cheaters and NOT in the consumers best interest...

GO ELSEWHERE FOR A POOL!

I am writing to warn anyone considering contracting Carlton Pools to install their inground pool. My husband and I choose Carlton Pools to install our pool in the spring of 1998. Inspite of the higher price quote, we believed the reputation of the company. Within the next two years, Carlton had to send someone to correct problems with the pool. The first problem was a loose light fixture at the deep end of the pool. The second problem addressed loose tiles and two pieces of coping. Both problems were resolved without resistance by Carlton.

In the fourth and fifth year, tile and coping problems persisted. Carlton was called and they subsequently sent the subcontractor to remedy the situation. By the sixth year, major portions of tile were falling off the sides and coping was coming separating from the surround. I placed a call once again to Carlton sending documentation via e-mail. Carlton's response was that the tile and coping had only a three year warranty. I stated that this was an on-going problem started well before the warranty expired AND the fact that they serviced the pool in the fourth and fifth year supported my contention that they were responsible to fix the problem.

The pool company's response shocked me. What I was told was, "We never left an invoice so you can't prove we ever did any work." My husband was infuriated. He called and asked to speak with customer service and within the conversation, he too was shocked. He was told, " Yeah, Carlton never tells anyone that there needs to be waterproofing installed--I don't know why. We can do it for $2000 OR if you want, I can do it myself and save you $500."

We next sought to resolve the situation through our township consumer mediation group. After investigating and interceding on our behalf, our township representative called us and told us that, if we wanted resolution, we need to find it in court. He also added that he hoped we would pursue this in court. The company owner told him that that is the only way he would address the poor construction issues.

The company did sent a representative to assess the damage. He left a repair estimate for $11, 000 (6 years after installation). The initial cost of the pool was approximately $25, 000.

I would never use this company again for anything nor would I recommend them. They opened a showroom in Richboro, PA because there is a lot of business in reconstruction. Most of it is probably their faulty work. If you decide to try your luck with Carlton, be sure to get an invoice each and every time you have them come out.

I will add pictures at a later date. I am hoping that my son will feature a video of our pools pathetic state on his You Tube site.

If I was in the hospital dying with cancer and Carlton said they had the cure I would pass on having them implement the remedy. This outfit can't do anything right and the owner doesn't even care.

Installing a pool is a multi step process; and they screwed up ever step

I suspect the Carlton motto is "Why do it right the first time with professionals when you can employ morons and have them do things that only escapees from a nut house would do.

My pet dogs are smarter than the Carlton crew and management combined and the piece of crap owner doesn't have a single desire to make you a satisfied customer.