Sundancer Pools

Beyond Happy!  We spent several years going back and forth about a pool.  We met with at least 6 builders but once we met Marc @ Sundancer we knew we found what we were looking for.  As a family that is new to the pool world, Marc patiently answered every question (sometimes repeatedly).  Marc stayed with us through the entire process...never left us hanging.   As for the crew, I seriously feel like they are family.  What a great bunch of guys. 

If we were to ever build another pool, I would immediately call these guys up.

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Jay Zier was the go to guy I worked with the on this whole project from start to finish. He worked with me on the design and listened to what I wanted for my backyard.  I was also able to make some changes as the project progressed just as he predicted would happen at the beginning.
He was present on the job site frequently, checked on the job during each phase, returned phones calls and was available in person. He addressed all of my questions and concerns along the way and is an excellent communicator.
The project took 3 months even with the rain in December and January. During each of the phases the crews really worked hard and are craftsman.
I read the pool construction phases page on the Sundancer web site and it was very helpful explaining the sequence of this project.
Jay also recommended a landscaping company which has also done a great job.
I am very happy with my backyard and it has been a pleasure working with Jay Zier and his crews.

It went very well. As with any project I do, I did my research before choosing a company. I met with three different pool vendors. Some I found by recommendation (like Sundancer) and some I got from Angie's list. After meeting with the three companies, there was no question I wanted to use Sundancer.
I met with Jay in our yard and he seem to understand exactly what we wanted and said he would work within our budget. He said he prefers not knowing the budget up front so he could give us all our options, but he did it anyway and the pool is terrific!
There were some delays along the way, but delays happen when you are dealing with permits. Jay didn't make excuses. He just admitted there were delays. He always responded to our inquiries and tried to keep us up to date on progress goals. All of the people who worked on our pool were highly skilled, professional and polite. By accident, one of the subcontractors damaged part of our yard and Jay said he would make it right- and he did. All you can ask if to work with people who have integrity. Jay has integrity and a  great product. We love our pool!

They did a nice job on the design and understanding what we wanted to achieve. They worked within budget, but not within the designated time frame. We had a few snafus on the install and are having some issues with our 6 month old system. They have a great team, do nice work and have good customer service.

Building a pool is a once in a lifetime type project and one shouldn't start it unless one has absolute trust in a contractor, a budget to do the job right, and a location that one will stay in long term to reap the benefits.
Every few years for the last decade my wife and I had considered building a pool - but there was always a reason why we didn't go ahead - either we weren't comfortable with the contractor, the pricing was too high, we didn't see a design that leapt out at us, or we weren't sure we would stay in the current house. Finally, when it became apparent that my family as a whole could use a bit more regular exercise and outdoor activities together -- I decided the time had came.
I spent a few months last summer researching all the facets of pool construction and making initial interviews with various pool builders in the San Diego area. From the start, it was clear that Sundancer Pools was the one most responsive to building us a pool customized to our needs rather than selling what was most easiest for them to build. And, while the pricing was a little high in some areas, it wasn't completely out of reason given the responsibility.
My main contact at Sundancer was Jim and he seemed quite responsive....answering several questions/day and responding to the numerous email I sent him throughout the design process. By early September, Jim and I came to agreement on a construction contract that had almost a hundred minor points detailing what we had agreed upon. They deserved to win the business.
Construction mostly went well, although somewhat slowly. Jim handled dozens of things I wasn't aware of behind the scenes. However, there were many occasions where I had concerns that became only obvious as the construction progressed and phone calls and additional meetings were needed. There were also a few cases where I overrode what Jim might have recommended based on feedback I had received from other pool owners. Jim was good at letting me know when he disagreed but deferring to my requests when it was clear that I had weighed the pro's and con's and made my mind up.
I'm convinced that we wouldn't have gotten anywhere near as close to the pool that was best for us without using Sundancer. On the other hand, there was hundreds of hours of my educating myself that was needed for me to work well with them and to understand what was needed.
The pool was not completed on time - but I was OK with that since my primary focus was on quality work. We didn't really fill the pool up with water until Dec 20th, and due to the weather -- couldn't do any real swimming until February.
Jim was patient in waiting for the final check until we had a few months to resolve numerous post construction issues (whoah -- don't ever give a pool company the final check until you've had the pool running for at least 3 months). There were minor pipe leaks and need to change the connections of pipes at the equipment area. Some of the gear could not be properly tested for a few months after the build due to chemistry issues. The automation system we installed was one of the first few of its model installed in San Diego county and I think to this day-- I now probably know more about it than Jim does.
When we have guests over, the are impressed with the quality of the work which included an automatic cover, sealed stamped concrete decking, 750 sq ft of solar heating, pebble sheen plaster finish, 100sq ft DE filter, and numerous automation tech.
If I have a concern with Sundancer, it is simply that they are a Pool CONSTRUCTION company and have set themselves up to really only provide support for the first few months after a pool goes live. In real life, a pool has teething issues for at least the first year and some construction defects may not get noticed until even later.
Sundancer, when they are going after business, claims that they provide complete support for the first 3 years after a pool is built....but their staff is dedicated almost 100% to construction and new business and to the extent I need to reach them to fix things....it may take 3-6 months for them to address simple matters and even then, their staff will just show up one day and I won't necessarily get a heads up ahead of time or responses to email/sms about issues. Yes, I'm probably a little more demanding of a customer than most and no pool company is going to be perfect. You have to choose what areas you're willing to compromise/sacrifice on.
I currently have ongoing concerns with grout work on the hill facing wall, which I think is a result of the grout never getting a chance to dry due to a higher water table and saturation of the ground. It's not clear if this will be completely and properly addressed, although Sundancer recently did some significant work to resolve it. Also, the pool cover rails have been dropping metal shavings into the pool and despite coming out to repair once, this is still ongoing. The automation will also require annual work that might better be done by Sundancer, but I'm not sure if they'll be available to do it.
If you know going in that Sundancer will only be there for construction and a few months after -- they're the best you can find here in San Diego for a custom designed pool built properly.

It was perfect. Jay was wonderful to work with! He explained everything as the project went along and the project progressed perfectly.
The pool is absolutely beautiful as is the entire project. Even after they were paid in full, he followed up with any extras that needed to be done which is a big plus because a lot of work people disappear once they're paid.

He even connected me with a great pool service so I don't have to worry about who will have knowledge on all of this new equipment and who will be reliable.

I just can't say enough good things about Sundancer pools and I am so happy we used their services. It is rare to find such professionalism today and a company that creates a resort in your back yard but also stands behind what they build. Their workmen are very professional too and do absolutely beautiful work!
Thank you for our beautiful back yard, we love it and the kids are having a blast!!!!

Looks great!

Jim was very patient with us as our plans changed alot during the planning process. They had never done an Endless Pool swim current before so Jim spent alot of time working with Endless on the phone to make sure he was doing it correctly. The job was supposed to take 3 months and it did. Jim was very responsive and good with issues that came up as they went (and they always will!). It was a pleasure working with Sundancer.

They would get "A's" across the board for us.

We have a beautiful, but leaking, swimming pool/spa that was poorly built by another pool company (as substantiated by the State Contractors Licensing Board). The recommended repairs were extensive and demanded special knowledge and skill. I found Sundancer Pools on Angies List and asked Jim for a bid. Unlike the other pool companies that came to look, he spent time learning about the construction defects and recommended repairs, talked to us about every facet and came back promptly with a detailed proposal. He was on always on top of the job, driving from Escondido to Jamul frequently to oversee progress. Everyone who worked on the pool was personable, knowledgeable and professional. And they worked! We were so impressed with the workmanship, we also had Sundancer Pools redo our waterfall and added extras that we would not otherwise have done. The project was completed on time, no corners cut, and on budget. WE LOVE OUR POOL AGAIN and it looks far better than the original! We highly recommend this pool company!

The sales rep was excellent. They worked in timely manner. They were professional and knowledgeable. The crew was great and they were punctual. We had a problem with the pool heater a year later and they took care of it. I would highly recommend them. This is a wonderful company to work with.