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Recent Pool Installers Reviews in Oakdale

• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  Our 40' kidney-shaped pool really needed some updating, since it is 25 years old. Our neighborhood is a few blocks from Sunset Gardens Magazine-so my husband and I decided that, since we were really going to update the pool (finally), we should really make it worthy of the great and beautiful neighborhood! We called several pool companies, and really spent a lengthy amount of time in researching which company would do the absolute best and LONG TERM great job-at a fair and reasonable price. One local pool company came out, then actually sent a bid to us, that was not even our pool! I left several messages with the receptionist and went into the owner's voicemail 3 times. Each time, I was very polite, but wondered why we received specs for pool work that was not ours. Hmm. The second pool company sent a very handsome gentleman that was wearing a leather jacket, and since it was raining-he refused to go outdoors! We were quite surprised, and although he talked a good story, his actions did not illustrate the work ethic that we were searching for. During this process, we interviewed several masons. We wanted to cover all bases, and bring the right crew in, that would create a masterpiece in our back yard! Several masons came and gave us estimates to create new decking. We heard about many various styles of stonework-each different-that could be used to create a custom, beautiful "landing" space for the pool and party areas. We never really tired of the process, because my husband does a significant amount of research in his job. He took it as a personal challenge-to find the very best, overall pool and plastering company. We eventually called Burkett's Pool and Plastering in Ripon, CA. We had absolutely no idea where Ripon, Ca was, but we were absolutely amazed at the amount of expertise, enthusiasm and detail that the Burkett's area rep, Mark Tromblee brought to our home when he arrived! He was pleasant, nice and genuine-almost too good to be true! But, our research had led us to Burkett's with much positive feedback-so we began the process of deciding, with Mark Tromblee's assistance and great listening skills, exactly the look we desired for our backyard. I will cut to the end result-because, as you might guess...we ended up with a fabulous resort feel in the yards! I say "yards", because, the Burkett's crews were so good, that we had them not only resurface the pool with WetEdge (to which we added abalone!), but we had them add a waterfall to the pool, and do the complete pool surround with their products! We also had them create a sitting area under our Heritage pine tree, and create a new walkway into the backyard, and an additional walkway in the front yard-towards the other back side of he house- It also became a beautiful resting place (Just like Sunset Gardens advises!). Our Project Manager, Mike Santos was also amazing! He is a very busy guy, but each time he came to access the progress...he was very hands on! My husband and I felt like both Mark Tromblee and Mike Santos truly tried to help create the relaxing feel, that we did end up creating! THEY WANTED TO PLEASE US-AND IT WAS EXCITING! I am not kidding, as I write this review-the Burkett's team really brings it all! We felt like we were on a reality tv show on most days, because not one lonely truck would arrive-but a whole fleet of experienced pool guys came to us-to work with smiles. And, I might add-they worked very hard! My husband-in the end, added 3 huge boulders, again, as resting spots around the yards. The crews just did what we asked, and more specifically-what Mike Santos (the Project Manager) said to do. So, if you live on the peninsula, as we do-you should feel very comfortable with hiring Burkett's to do your pool, because our MP City inspectors praised Burkett's work-and they should know what fine work looks like!. Several of our friends know that my husband is quite thorough, and they are signed up to have Burkett's work in their yards also. Relax, and enjoy the lovely design that you and Burkett's create! Excuse me..I must go now...it's cocktail time by the pool! ;-show more

  Kim J.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  has worked in there for several years, it was either thrown over the hedge or fence, or was dropped there by them. 2. Excess cement in deck: I had an odd-shaped deck around the pool, inherited from the previous owner, who had built a wall with flowerboxes, etc, in it. Those had long been removed, but left an odd-shaped deck. When inspecting the pool in order to make a proposal, I, the salesman, and the project manager, agreed we could make a standard oval around the pool, and get rid of the excess protusions,and thus save on cement costs. The contract was written, and price quoted, on that basis. After demolition of the old deck, the crew came to prepare for the new deck, including tamping, placing forms for pouring the cement, and laying rebar. I went out in middle of the day to see how they were doing, and they had placed forms and laid rebar exactly following the outline of the old deck. I told them that wasn't right and they should call the project manager. They said the project manager had shown them the outline to follow that morning. I never heard anything back at all, until my "handler" (my designated contact) at Burkett's called and said the guys would be coming out next day to pour the cement; I told her she had better contact the project manager, because otherwise they wouldn't have enough cement, and explained the issue to her. I got a call from the project manager. There were only two choices...redo the forms and rebar, or just put in the excess cement, thus replicating the old deck. After discussion, it seemed unreasonable to redo the forms and rebar, and we decided to take the latter course. He then wanted to charge me $455 for the excess cement. I told him it was his fault, and he promptly agreed to split the difference on the cement cost. So, I have a bigger deck, but it also cost me an extra $250. 3. Rope anchors: First, I have to tell you about the bush. In order to demolish the old deck and pour the new one, the workers had to cut a large chunk out of a bush which had extended itself over the pool deck. No sweat: It was necessary, and I didn't care about the bush anyway. However, it made an interesting little cave under the bush. (I'm getting to the rope anchors!) When they drained the pool, they took out the old equipment, the pool sweep, and the chlorine bobber (the thing that has chlorine tablets in the bottom, and floats around the pool). They set them off to the side. When they set the forms and rebar, I took the pool sweep and threw it away, but I couldn't find the bobber. I found it several days later...under the bush. But I never did find the lid. Again, no problem, since I intended to buy a new one anyway. NOW, the rope anchors. The old pool had rope anchors, and, when we moved in, a rope. Since everybody in my family is a proficient swimmer, we took the rope out, and over the years it vanished. However, now we have a 5 year old granddaughter, who we take one weekend a month. She is learning to swim, with an inflatable thing that goes around her waist, with a dinosaur head on it. She has been warned about the dreaded "deep end" so many times that she is very fearful of even going into the pool unless there is a rope there. It's a psychological safety measure for her. Over the past couple of years, I have been taking a 40 foot nylon rope I had in the garage and just tying it between the rope anchors for her. I explained all this to the salesman and project manager, and so the contract was written to specifically include " Rope anchors to be maintained or replaced." So, the sandblasting crew comes out in due time, and prepares the cement in the pool to receive new plaster. When plastering crew comes out, I look at the foreman's work order, and the contractual words were repeated on his work order as a specific item to be done. I watched the plaster guys for a while, and then went inside. Later, when they were finishing up, I went out to look at it. Foreman had left, and left just three guys to finish cleaning up. I told them it looked beautiful! Very nice job! (And it did). Then I took another look...and said "Guys, where are my rope anchors!" They knew nothing about rope anchors; they called foreman, and he told them put rope anchors in. Nobody knew what had happened to old rope anchors, so they got new ones, cut holes and installed rope anchors. However, since everything had been plastered over, nobody knew where to put them. They and I, guesstimate where they should go. However, it turns out that our guesstimate was not exact. A standard 16 foot rope is about 10" too short. So, I got my nylon rope from the garage, bought two hooks from pool supply store ($22 each), put long cylindrical plastic foam floaters on rope, cut rope to size,attached hooks, and made my own rope. Actually, I think is prettier than standard rope. Now why did I talk about the bush? Because, after all was done, while my wife was giving me thoughts on removing bushes, painting murals, etc, we had occasion to look in that cave under the bush. And there were the old rope anchors, still attached to chunks of concrete, back in about 3 feet. 4. Notice and punctuality: My handler was supposed to call me the day before each crew came out, and tell me time of arrival, so I could be there to unlock gate for them. Twice she didn't call, and they showed up unannounced. Fortunately, I was there, but once in my bath robe, and once half-dressed from the shower. Once a crew was late, but only by 1/2 hour, but I was there waiting for them anyway, and the lady who does the pool start-up was also late, but, again, I was up and waiting, so no big deal, as I am retired, and generally at home anyway. 5. Pool sweep booster pump switch: The switch is the rotating wheel kind, with clips that go on the wheel, and turn the pump on and off as the wheel rotates. The electricians came and installed the switch, and a couple of days later my neighbor was over admiring the new equipment. I commented to effect I had never been sure how to work that kind of switch, and he said "Oh, it's easy,John! You pull wheel out, rotate it to set present time under the pointer, then put your on clip and off......John? Where are your clips?" I said I didn't know. I asked next crew that came out, and they said "Oh, you don't get those until everything is done, and you can use the pump." I assumed they meant at pool start-up (Burkett's does a pool start-up for you, after all is complete...and, incidentally, after they have gotten their last papyment.... where, among other things, their person (who was a very nice person, by the way) shows you how to work everything). She was showing me, and said "Where are your clips?" I told her I didn't know, electricians didn't put them on, and nobody gave anything to me. I said "I thought you were going to put them on." She said no, she didn't have them, and didn't know why electrician did not put them on. She said she would inform the main office. Long story short, I never did get the clips. (In one of my follow-up phone calls to my handler, I asked about clips, but never got a response.) My regular pool service guy installed some for me. 6.Pool sweep: As part of the contract, Burkett's provided me a brand new Polaris pool sweep. Due to the 7 day period after completion when you have to brush pool twice a day, check chemicals, etc, the sweep could not be installed until that 7th day. Burkett's had taken the sweep out of the box and left it on side of pool for my regular pool guy to install on the 7th day. He did, and we reset the main filter pump, and set timing on it and booster pump. Next morning it went off right on schedule, and all worked wonderfully. It was a pleasure to see it going around. Next morning, I went out, and it wasn't going around, although booster pump was running. After looking at it for a minute, I noticed that the wiggly tail (which was attached when it came out of the box), had fallen off and was lying in bottom of the deep end. This necessitated an extra visit from my regular pool guy to come out, retrieve tail and reattach. 7. Biggest single issue: There is an expansion joint between the pool coaming and the pool deck. This expansion joint was filled with something that looked very much like Styrofoam and immediately started discoloring, shrinking, etc. The project manager, when asked, said that that was only temporary and they would come back and take it out and fill it with Deck O'Seal, which is a sand and filler and fixative mixture. However, after the last payment, and at the time the start-up lady came out, this had not been done. I informed the start-up lad, and, just as with the clips, she said she would inform the main office. I called my handler, in fact before the start-up lady left, and left a phone message concerning the clips and the expansion joint. I did not get a call back. I waited until the following week, then called again, and was told they were having scheduling difficulties. Next week, same response. Next week same response...but this time I mentioned Angie's list, and the evaluation form that Mr. Burkett had sent me to fill out. Two days later, they called and scheduled the work for the next morning. In all, it took 19 days for them to do that, atter start-up. Now, I repeat that none of these were the types of things that just kill a deal, and I repeat that I am very please with the job now that everything is working....these were irritating things in the process however. .show more

  John S.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  It went great! This company know what they are doing. My husband and I were very pleased with all crews. Everything looks and works great!

  Kathleen V.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  I'm very pleased with them. They were here yesterday for a short time. It would cost me about $7000. They have factually evaluated the situation and their information has been accurate. They've been here when they said they were going to be here. They are doing quality work. They have been courteous and informative. They are basically done when they said they are going to do so far. They have been no uncertain surprises and no change in the price. They've been just very good. The only thing that's been a hold up is the unusual rain that we've had. That is stopping the timely project but that is not their fault. They've been here right on time. They are done with what they said they are going to do and when they are going to do. They call in advance and let me know when they are coming. They've always been here when they said they are going to be. They answer questions. They cleaned up after themselves when they left. They've been really well. I've been very pleasedshow more

  Barbara S.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  From the start with the salesman - Burkett's was great with communication. No hidden cost and my project manager was amazing! I would recommend them to friends and family! When I'm ready to install my new equipment they will definitely have my business!

  Leslie H.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  Couldn't have asked for better service. From the gals in the office always calling to give updates to the crew doing excellent work leaving behind no mess. This is a company I will be recommending.

  Kathleen V.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  It went great! This company know what they are doing. My husband and I were very pleased with all crews. Everything looks and works great!

  Kathleen V.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  5.0

  The installation was handled quickly and professionally and we continue to be very happy with Burketts.

  J C.
• 5 Star Pool Plaster Inc

  3.0

  5 Star Pool could have put more effort in plastering the pool smoother. The grout in the tiles has been chipping off, that started about 6 months after completion of the job. There were problems with the County pool inspectors OK-ing the work, he had to have his guys come back to do a part of the job over so it would pass inspection. The salesman that bid and sold the job could have spent more time looking after the men he sent to do the work, they may have done a better job if that was the case. I don't believe the property owner will use 5 star pool again, I think she may go with a higher bid to get a move professional job next time. The lowest bid is not always the best way to goshow more

  Vintage Park Apts O.
• Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc

  2.0

  They must have all the work they need as they do not respond to multiple forms of contact.

  Mike D.