Aquos Pools

When I selected Aquos Pools, it was not because they were cheapper than other companies but it was because their ratings and my confidence and trust in them I got during the design phase. I understood doing a big project such as building a pool and spa will be always some issues and I prepared to help to minimize that as I wanted my family to have a pleasant experience. I took days off to make sure every big job done right. From excavation, rebar, gunite, tile layout, deck framing, etc.I only saw Aquos Pools rep at the site very short time. Most of the discrepancies between the design and the work were resolved by me and the subcontractors. I dont even know who is the PM for my project. There is no project plan. That is ok and Im willing to continue to help to do that even I feel why would I pay Aquos Pools if Im the one who has to resolve discrepancies with the sub contracters. But what is very disapointing is the digging for electical and gaspipe. The dirt and streches are left open blocking the side gate, walkways and making my backyard a big mess. Sprinkler pipes were cut off. That was OK because it was necessary. But what was not neccessary leaving a big mess and dirt and streches there for weeks. I texted many times and were told three times that they would be taken care of. But until today, only a small part of it was done. I can help and be patient but when they do not keep their words and promises, I become helpless and cant do anything. Each day my wife and me can only just look at the mess. It is very irretating and disappoining. This would have been our exciting project but now it is not any more.

Updated 05/15/2017. It took another phone call get someone to come out to close the streches. They said the cuff off sprinkler pipes will be closed when they come to install the equipment and I asked when. The Aquos Pools guy said I dont know. I will just have to close those myself so that I can turn on the sprinkler before all my plaints are dead.

Will update the rating when everything is finished.

Updated 07/06/2017: I thought that by now I would be able to have everything finished and I would be able to revise the rating but again it is another big disappoinment. Since early June, with many phone calls and texts to almost everyone at Aquos Pool including the owner. The unfinished work is still the unfinished work until now. The pool is finished and there only a couple minor things that they can only send their people for a couple hours to finish the work but they dont. I dont want to file a complaint all with the State lisence board and other agencie and I have trying too many to solve these with them but dont know what else I can do to get them to do as they said they would.

Update 07/16/2017. After a few more texts, they came out to fill the dirt and the subcontrator came out to fix the stone. I can now say that the pool is complete. I upgrated the rating from 2 stars to 4 stars as over all I got a very beautiful pool. I just wish we did not have to deal with these problems. It would have been more exciting.

I just want to give credits to Andrea and Joni for always trying to communicate with me.

My advice to other customers is to be the site every time the subcontractors do the work and get them get all the detailed work done right when they are still at the site. Be patient and prepare to call/text them rather expecting them to call/text you even they say they would call or text you.

Updated on December 4th, 2017: The filter scheduling on my AquaLink Z4 Controller suddently stopped working and I got nervious as Im going to travel out of the country for a month in the next week or two and without the scheduling it is going to be challenging for me to turn it on and off I texted Jonni and let her know that. She said she would send someone over. The next day, nobody contacted me to come out so I texted Jonni again and let her know about my travelling plan and she coordinated another person to come in on Saturday. Cliff came and tested it and it was really not working and he didnt know what else he could. He then called his friend and it was suggested restting the power supply to the controller. He did and that it resolved the issue! I was so happy and glad that Cliff called his friend instead of giving it up. I thought that was a great customer service. A good pool builder will stay around and help their customers and with that, I upgrated the rating to 5 stars.

I think its important to reflect on my past experience, look at the future, and talk about the state of pool building today in general. Inflation is a b*tch. that's for sure. What you could afford in the past is far fetch these days, and until the overspend from consumers halts, prices wont relax, incomes wont level out, and the cost of money will remain high.

But with Aquos, one thing is really important. The pool at the house I sold, the pool that we've learned to miss :(, it's still functioning properly, it's still beautiful, and I have to say - I'm a difficult customer, it's a fact. Thing is, I'm a cash buyer at this point, and with the money I've saved, I still cant justify spending the amount a pool costs today. That being said, Harold took the time to meet with me and discuss a potential pool at my house, ignoring my previous review which is pretty rough to read. I think that Harold has a great mission in his business and is developing some great solutions with his patented filtration system.

I'm not an early adopter, and it's important to mention that Harold did not pressure me to only go for his cool new solution, but he took the time to explain the engineering to me, and as a nerd, I couldnt help but want to offer suggestions (ones he's of course already thought of). I want to say that I'm pleased with Harold's family business, the time they take in listening to concerns and needs, but at the very core, they are realistic and if you cant you cant, if you can, thats great! My last experience was also my first, and after running through the quoting period a second time with 5 different builers, Aquos still came in at not just the best price, but I also had the confidence knowing that I could swim in the pool and it wouldnt fall apart, just like my last one. I know that the issue I had the first time, I have more knowledge about and it wouldn't happen the next time.

All in all, Harold is a local and he's always been pleasant, even when I'm a pain in the tush lol.

Thanks again Harold for your time, and when I'm ready - I know I'll only have to look to one place. You spent a lot of time with me, even though I didn't spend any money with you this time around - that goes a long way.

These guys are great and do great work. I just wish the world remove the molested American flags from the trucks as I like do do business apolitically. I am a victim of police violence so just know these little things affect customers. I sincerely hope I've helped as I mean well.

Do not do business with Cecil Gunite or Aquos
Pools. Multiple missed appointments, poor or no follow through on appointments or job commitments. Played some shady business on materials and contract price. Sean will tell you want you want to hear then ghost you when It's time delivery said commitment. They unnecessarily destroyed yard, left a mess and then when called out about it, lied.
Then I showed him pictures I had taken before during and after. He said he would make it right.
Then never followed through. The only time they are good talking to you is when a payment is do.

in 2017 they built our pool and we were very satisfied with the final product. in April 2024 we call them about an issue with the pool controller, they responded very promptly and took care of our problem. Today we are writing this review to testify how satisfied we are with them and to recommend them if you are thinking about building a pool they are the company that you need to go with.

Pat and Jorge Contreras
April 17, 2024

Beware, nothing but issues with Mr Tapley's (owner Aquos Pools) "proprietary System". Mine does not work and i now know others that are having the came issues and are not happy. They blame the pool pump company for a system he designed and take no responsibility. Pool balancing was never completed and they asked me to pay for the pool school and balancing 8 months later. Cracks in the corners of the concrete with chunks coming out. Got the runaround for almost 3 years because i have a bad impeller on the pump, never replaced under warranty, wouldn't even answer the phone or return calls. We were happy with the build until they dumped us once they had their money. I would give zero stars but it wont go that low. I have a complaint filed with the Contractors Licensing Board and they are under investigation.

Everything great until the pool is done. Customer service after that is lacking. I've emailed and called with a couple minor concerns and no one seems to care.

Aquos built my pool this summer and I was amazed by the quality of work. I prefer working with family owned businesses where I am treated with respect and not like a number. The office girls were always helpful and my pool was finished just in time for a huge family bbq. I highly recommend Aquos. They were not the cheapest but provided much better quality equipment and materials. This is a big investment and I want it done right the first time. Check out the Best Clear system I am so happy I am not fussing with cartridge filters. I love how easy it is to maintain my pool. Thank you Aquos!

We had Aquos build our pool in 2016. They did a great job, and we've had no problems with their workmanship. The contractors were all professional and cleaned up after. Our build back then took almost 3 months to complete.

Harold is a great guy! I am very happy with his service and professionalism. and he is local. Definitely recommend this person for you! Good luck. Sadat KIA Country Manteca

I wish I could give you the company half of a star, the only reason for half is the original build went extremely smooth. But that's where the quality stopped. Their intro says, "Out team is dedicated to providing custom pools that allow you to create lasting memories." Yes they created a nice pool, but the quality of the build and materials are subpar. And once Covid19 hit, this pool builder used it as a crutch to let our warranty expire without correcting our issues. Here are a few of the problems we've had so far;

-Immediately after the install we began to run into problems;

-We began to have huge cracks in the concrete and the coping around the spa cap began to separate from the walls. The company sent someone out to try and fill the gaps with caulk but it was a mis-matched color and has since separated again and there is now a 1" of separation.

-The electronic control system that was "safe" per them in the sun has faded and all the buttons have cracked.

-Two of the LED lights in the pool and the LED light in the spa.

-Because of the cracking concrete and coping separating the rock on the wall between the pool and the spa has now come loose.

-The pool sweep has never worked correctly and has already needed to be rebuilt by our pool cleaning company.

-The pool heater has had a leak they they said would self seal.

I have emailed and called the company and now they won't even call back.

Don't use the company!!!! We had this pool installed in 2017 and have used it only 3 summers and spent a ton of money on our backyard and now need to spend a ton more to fix their terrible work.


I have a ton more photos and all our email correspondence if anyone would care to see before you choose a pool builder.