Venture Custom Pools

We contracted for a pool and spa with Venture Pools in early June 2022 and worked with Mark for a design for our small backyard. Mark designed the perfect pool and spa for our space with an amazing fountain and a nice in-pool table and seating with space for an umbrella. He really got to know us and delivered an amazing design that truly fits us. Digging started the first week of August 2022 and our project was finished around the end of September 2022. We were super impressed with the speed and quality of work. Geoff was our project manager throughout the build and always made sure everything was done to our satisfaction before moving to the next phase of the build. Mark, Geoff and crew took our ugly yard and made it a beautiful and peaceful place.

Spring of 2021 our pool was first "completed". We had major concerns at that time regarding leaking. We have only continued to have major concerns with the stability and safety of our pool. Our pool shell remains unable to maintain water. The communication with Venture is poor. The one owner whom I have been in contact with, has yet to follow up. Venture refuses to follow their own engineer's recommendations to fix our pool. We are left with 30ft of patching on the pool bottom, cracked and uneven tiles, coping that does't meet the paver stones with large gaps, pavers that are so unstable they are falling away, a very uneven deck, cement mix along the pool bottom, and a continually leaking pool. That's the brief description. But unless you want a pool that is left to look like this- don't use Venture. Unable to attach many photos here- but I have all listed on other sites.

I was recommended this company by my uncle, who had 100% a different experience then I have thus far. The design, and permitting process went seamlessly. Construction has been awful - the communication is them call weekly to say there is no update. We had all funding completed 8/14/2020 advised we were ready to proceed. I was told upfront that the completion timeframe would be 4-6weeks then once I had funding the sales guy said November - I told the ladies that called when scheduling the excavation I was concerned about that Leadtime. They reassured me that it would be completed by the latest end of October but well before November. She advised that there was a delay with the gunite they were 30days. Ok, I made that decision to proceed they were letting me know upfront. WELL THATS NOT THE CASE. They excavated on 8/26 and today is 9/24/2020 nothing else has been done, I was told I am not even on the schedules we have just a big hole. were at plumbing and steel which has been 30days with still no date as to when they will come back out. I am very very angry, and when I call its were trying. I had a guy come out to pump out water from this weeks rain - I had no idea he had been there the pump he left running all night just turning dirt. If you want to have a horrible experience, little transparent communication, left feeling disappointed by all means hire them, they are the company for you. Venture is good at taking your money and cashing it the same day...however cannot provide a completion let alone a start date.

My wife and I decided we wanted to install a pool in late April, 2020. Venture Pools sales and design team were spectacular. Easily a step above any of the other bids/designs we got. I guess that should have set off warning flags. In May, I was told it would take 10-12 weeks to complete after signing a contract. I was pushing for an August 1 completion, and was told that might happen, but it would be done by August 15. After reviewing other bids and other contractors, we signed with Venture and gave them a huge deposit (50% of total). It's been an abject nightmare since. They didn't get STARTED until after August 1 -- I was told "there were a lot of jobs in front of you," which is a fact they new when they lied to me about the completion date. There's a swing set in the backyard that needed to be moved. We negotiated having them move it. Then I get an email that says "never mind, you have to pay to have it moved, sorry, we don't want to do it." Then they were supposed to show up on August 5 to dig. They didn't come. Then it was August 10. And they did dig the hole, but missed where it goes by 1ft, forgot to dig out certain areas, and forgot to put in the drainage where it was on the plans. Then the plumbers didn't show up, and I got a call that said "the plumber scheduling is behind, sorry." They did confirm to show up on August 11, but I waited at home all day and got no response on the phone or email. The next day I got a "we're looking into it," and I have received ZERO response since. At this point, I'm afraid they just stole tens of thousands of dollars from me. So, short story -- their design team is incredibly professional and responsive. The second you sign that contract, well good luck. I would never recommend this business to anyone, ever.

We hired Venture in May of 2019 to install a pool and build a pool house. We chose venture because of their experience and ethos. Super long story short, process for the pool went fairly well. Few hiccups, but to be expected. Pool house, we had to complete. Countless hours back and forth on, what can only be described as, completely shotty craftsmanship(doors hung upside down, curves in the walls, window seals uneven, etc. etc. Recently learned our heating unit was installed incorrectly. What else will we uncover?) My husband, who is not a structural engineer nor contractor, spotted things like electrical wiring installed where the foundation was going. It was issue, after issue. Rework after rework. We’ve stopped the work with venture and brought in our own contractor to finish the project. We reached out to speak to the owner to share our experience, as I’d like to know as a business owner, but he never followed-up. Would not recommend.

The whole job was quoted around 3 months, after permitting. This was to install a new pool and spa, along with around 400 sq/ft of pavers and a bar with grill/fridge plus small pergola covering. Most everything went smooth and the job cruised along for the better part of 2 months. We ended up going out of town for 2 weeks, which put the job on hold and this caused some delays after we got back. We had a few back and forth interactions about some fine details (which they fixed), but the over all quality and craftsmanship was evident. The pool was well built and the end result, after a few delays, was an awesome back yard living experience that we will use for years to come. I would recommend Venture, they did a great job! Pool/Spa was 32 x 17 with 397 Sq/ft of tier 1 pavers plus 6 foot tanning ledge Variable Speed pump with sheer decent water feature on raised wall and LED lights + heater L shaped bar with grill/fridge, gas line to the grill Pergola over the bar area

They do not support their installations, and are of no value for repairs or equipment service. 2 years later and tiles are falling off the pool. Their tile warranty is only one year. The tile repair company they referred me to in not accepting new jobs at this time.

Mark from Venture Pool came out to talk to us about building a pool. He arrived on time and was professional. He talked a little about his history with Venture pool, took measurements and notes about what we wanted in a pool. He said he would have a design for us in about a week. He didn’t make an appointment with us at that time, I just figured he would call for us to come in to see the design. About a week later we received the design via email which surprised me. I thought everyone tried to get you into the office. When I called him after receiving he said no, he sends then makes the appointment. That way customer can have time to look at it to see what changes they may want and be ready to discuss at the meeting. Makes sense to me. About 10 days after receiving the design we met Mark at his office. Venture was the only pool builder who included landscaping that would help with the privacy in the back yard regarding a new house being built next door to us. I was impressed. The 3D design was really beautiful and he had the arbor in a different place than I had mentioned, but it was a really good design. Like all the other builders (except one), it was obvious he put in the effort to visualize our dream back yard. When we went to the office we got to see some of the options available in tile, decking, pebble finish and equipment. Pricewise, Venture was about the same as most of the other builders. Overall, Venture did a great job with the design and the price was competitive, we just had to narrow down the builders and for Venture it was their standard Hayward equipment. We had Hayward in our old pool and it was okay…we did not want to go that route this time.

unknown

The service was fine. There's still a couple of things to work out, but they're going to do it. They're a good quality company.

unknown

Bob, VCP’s salesman, came out and took pictures of our yard and constructed various 3D pictures of what our pool would look like. We have a slope in our backyard. Bob told us that there would be a small berm (approx. 3ft around the pool) due to the slope. In one corner of our backyard is a memorial tree planted in remembrance of my son. We told Bob we just bought a shed to go in the other corner of the yard. He assured us that the tree would not be messed with and that the shed would fit, no problem. Back to this shortly. In the showroom we wrote a $500 check for them to hold until we were ready to start the permitting process. Bob told us that the timeframe for building the pool would be 6-8 weeks from permitting. What he failed to mention is that permitting takes 3 weeks. VCP deposited our check on 6/2. Digging started 6/28. It’s now 6-8 weeks before the pool is finished.

Two things VCP is good at:

• ****Selling you the pool

• ****Picking up the checks. (Be prepared, VCP expects 40% @ dig, 40% @ gunite, 15% @ deck frame, 5% @ plaster. Your pool is not even finished and they expect it to be paid off before completion.)

Whatever your expectations are throw them out the window. VCP doesn’t set your expectations just for this point, they don’t have to manage to them.

Back now to the slope and 3 ft berm. We met with our project manager, Chris Holley, to discuss our concerns with the fact that the waterfall and pool sit about 5 ft above our ground. The memorial tree can barely be seen from the patio due to the pool. At this juncture nothing can be done but Chris goes on to say that our salesperson should’ve designed a step or two down from our patio in order for the pool to be more proportionate with the slope in the yard. We met again with Chris to discuss the berm and confirm with him that the berm should be minimal and that the remaining dirt be removed. I sent an email to Amanda who is the inside construction assistant confirming that we do not want this clay/dirt left in our yard. The cleaning crew comes out and the berm that they created extends from the edge of the pool all the way to the back of the fence. Plus it is sloped therefore the shed we purchased prior to the pool cannot be built as the berm is built. We met again with our Project Manager and reiterated that we want the dirt removed. My husband had to dig for 5 days to level the ground and build a retaining wall in order for the shed to fit in the backyard. VCP created this mess and yet my husband had to fix it. VCP only agreed to come pick up the excess dirt. No apologies given. In fact they went so far as to say we agreed to how the pool would be built. VCP we agreed to the 3D pictures that our salesperson sold us on that were supposedly "to scale" with our backyard. At no point did we agree to have to install 2 retaining walls and have a new fence. We just replaced our fence 2 years ago.

This review is for future swimming pool owners solely. We don't want anything from Venture Custom Pools but to honor your warranty.

They did such a fabulous job. Mark was very professional and really listened to what we wanted in a pool. Instead of telling us what he thought we needed, like some other pool companies, he listened to us and made suggestions as to whether what we wanted would work or not. His first rendering was almost exactly what we had in mind and the final product was the pool of our dreams. We were always well informed of the progress of our pool, and Amanda called us almost everyday to let us know what was happening, who would be out that day to work on the pool and what would be happening over the next couple of days. We were quoted a 5 - 6 week timeline and the only reason it went 7 weeks was due to weather delays. We couldn't be more pleased with them and would recommend them to anyone.

Contacted them for a quote for a new pool before winter and new construction was finished. NEVER HEARD BACK FRO THEM!

The initial contact with the company went well. We reached out to them via the internet based on recommendations by our neighbors and they responded quickly to set up a meeting time. I responded to them in the middle of January and we set up an initial meeting time for the 24th. I worked from home on the day in question and the appointment time came and went without any notification from Venture. I emailed my contact that evening and he advised me that the designer that he had assigned the file to had become sick and forgot to call me to cancel the meeting. My contact then advised me that he would have another designer out the next day at noon unless I advised him that I had a conflict.
I rearanged my schedule again and waited for the noon hour on Staturday, which came and went without Venture showing up. I opened my email to find a sternly written email from the designer at 9:00 a.m. indicating that he understands that Venture has had trouble scheduling my appointment due to my actions and that he required that I confirm the appoinment by 11:00 or he would not show as originally promised.
Needless to say, this was not the situation as originally described. I emailed Venture back and advised them that I was not happy with the tone and tenor of the last communication and that they needed to respond to my satisfaction regarding the communications. That email was sent on the 25th and I have not received a response.
Long story short, their professionalism leaves much to be desired.

Their service was good and they gave a lot of attention to detail especially when it came to the design of the pool. The pool is still operating fine with no issues.

Even before I write this reveiw - I know a rebuttal is coming.....so if you guys still want to read and avoid headaches - please do so....you want to burn money - Its your choice....
We had initially contacted Venture in 2011 and got an estimate for a pool,spa and arbor....fully loaded cost of $46K. I contacted them again in 2013....found out the sales man had left the company, so got referred to Mark.
I shared with Mark all the designs, pictures from 2011 and estimate - spent time with him going over some changes. Mark offered to design the pool for similar pricing....if we signed within 4 days (talk about a user-car dealer tactic !!) Before we were to meet to finalize, we decided to change the design slightly (again - this is where they claim it was a major re-design)....we removed a ledge - instead going with a straight edge (which in my opinion is a simpler design !!), and added steps to the spa (the design had them on one side - we added them on the other side) as well as made the spa square shaped (which again is a simpler design vs a circular one)......however, the estimate jumped by $7K....and excluded 2 water features that were in the original design....and I was told - this was the final price and final redesign.....Can u imagine that ? I am the customer - and I am being told - this is the final design......come on....who is spending the money here ??
Dont trust these guys - Mark blamed the original salesman for inaccuracies in his estimate - go figure !! and blamed me for numerous design changes (really - who is the customer here)....I told him to comparee my original design and the final....
ANyway - please save your money....and go somewhere else !!!

It went really well.

I haven't had one issue with Venture Custom Pools. They are honest, nice, friendly, and have done everything in a timely manner. I got quotes from four other pool companies and Venture Custom Pools were the best and gave us the most. Their responsiveness was perfect because they always get right back to you and they are always early or on time.

Great service. These guys did a great job and finished on time

Overvall very pleased. Construction manager from the corporate office (Tom) was fantastic to work with. Scheduler (Amanda) was fantastic. They worked hard to get the pool completed for a scheduled party and delivered. The onsite supervisor was not so great. We often felt we were managing their construction crews. Not all crews were great such as the clean up crew.
Key learnings:
1. Be sure you have a builder who stands by their product. Construction just completed (7/26/13) but Venture has made everithig right so far.
2. Be sure you get everything in writing before you sign the contract. After you sign you loose all leverage
3. Understand what you want in the pool. We had the SPA, Heater, salt water, water chiller all as requirements writen contract.
4. Your sales person will help design the pool and Venture uses some cool computer design tools. Ensure you get measurements so you know if you are getting what you paid for, We did not have an issue but when pouring the decking it is easy to make the area smaller than you paid for. One neighbor had this issue with another builder.
5. Your sales person will say things regarding time to build or include things on the drawing that are not included. Make sure everything is in writing because in our case the salesman was gone shortly after the contract was signed.
6. Be careful with sprinkler systems and other items that could be damaged during construction. This bulider like most do not take liability for damage. My sprinkler lines to other areas of my property were damaged costing more than $600 to fix. I had now way to have them pay for this despite being damaged by their electrical contractor.
Overall we are very pleased. Building a pool is a major construction effort that most of us will only do once. The items above are more learnings than issues with my builder.

and there are

We designed our pool before moving into our new house . The company waited a couple of days after we closed to avoid extra stress . They built our pool in less than 4 weeks and helped us get everything running . I have no doubt that if warhead any problems or questions they would be very helpful .

We chose Venture Custom Pools because it was clear during our contractor search process that Rudy Vrba at Venture cared to most about pleasing us and he listened to everything that we wanted without driving toward was Venture wanted.
The process went very much as Rudy had laid out for us in the beginning.Truly remarkable really when you consider that the whole construction process has taken 8 weeks with some construction activity nearly every day during that time.
The most telling part was when there were few issues that did not meet our initial approval. Venture immediately got a crew in to remedy/correct the issue. Their back office team, Angela and Amanda, were exceptional guiding us through the construction process. In our opinion, communication during a project like this is paramount and Venture's performance in that area was superior.
In the end Venture provided us with exactly what we envisioned at a fair price and on time. What more could you ask?

They were very good at staying within our budget while making sure the finished project would be worthwhile. They were extremely punctual and finished the pool and spa in Judy over four weeks. They kept me apprised of the timeline and construction and answered questions right away.

My overall experience with them was good. They were professional and punctual. I decided not to go with them.