Pool Builder
SCP Suing Olympus Pools over Million Dollar Debt
Olympus Pools response to million dollar lawsuit and other alarming concerns
Olympus Pools is back in the media again and now facing a $1.1 million dollar lawsuit with the country’s largest pool supply distributor SCP. A recent lawsuit filed in Pasco County by SCP Distributors LLC is suing Olympus Pools for over a million dollars in equipment delivered and installed in customers backyards. This is yet another challenge Olympus Pools, a once prestigious and well known builder faces amidst an onslaught of bad publicity due to allegations of unfinished pools and ongoing lawsuits.
It appears that SCP intends to go after Olympus Pools rather than begin putting liens on homeowners. This latest recent development has begun to make many trade partners and subcontractors extremely concerned.
Brian Leung, an attorney for SCP, said the distributor agreed to a promissory note with Olympus recently last month in April to settle the debt. In it’s lawsuit, SCP said that Olympus Pools had 6 months to pay off the $1.1 million dollar debt owed to the supplier. To date, Olympus has failed to make the first installment payment of $191,000 which prompted the recent litigation.
Leung said that when Olympus Pools failed to meet the agreed upon installment payment, that triggered the litigation which now seeks the full amount in addition to 18% interest.
Response to recent SCP Lawsuit
We reached out to Olympus Pools owner James Staten for comment about the ongoing issue with SCP and received an official statement via his public relations representative .
“Even though we continue to do business with SCP daily, they felt after the media reports it was in their best interest to secure our credit line.”
Olympus Pools – Public Relations Representative
“In my opinion, it is disappointing that despite being one of their best customers for many years, they chose to make things more difficult for our clients and team instead of supporting us during this time. However I’m sure we will get it resolved with them soon enough.”
In a statement a month ago to Pool Magazine, Staten responded to allegations directly and listed a variety of reasons why Olympus Pools had fallen behind on jobs. Staten cited the recent shortages of labor and materials impacting the pool industry.
“The conditions that arose during the pandemic, instead of increasing 20 to 30 percent we doubled in size.” said Staten.
While the pool industry itself may understand Staten’s plight, homeowners and investigative reporters have been much less sympathetic. Staten has faced virtual non-stop calls, picket lines and visits from reporters since the story first broke roughly 2 months ago. Backlash from customers has been brutal on social media. Consumer watchdogs and investigative reporters said hundreds of pools currently remain unfinished.
Staten admits that he and his staff sold way too many pools last year. Ultimately, he said that he “takes full responsibility” for the situation. However, homeowners have been livid at the waiting times as their projects have lingered. Many customers have complained that Staten continued to take on new projects while their backyards remained an ongoing construction zone for months and months past their promised deadlines.
Homeowners are increasingly concerned they could get stuck footing the bill for Olympus Pools unpaid subcontractors. Some homeowners have begun receiving liens in the mail.
Rumors of Criminal Investigation
Olympus Pools may face worse problems aside from the million dollar lawsuit filed by SCP. A spokesperson for the company responded to Pool Magazine inquiring about a recent report by ABC Action News that indicates 2 separate Florida counties have opened criminal investigations into allegations of fraud and misuse of funds.
“We have heard through the media that it is actually Hillsborough, Polk and Pasco counties. While we won’t speculate on behalf of law enforcement, what we can tell you is that we have not broken any laws and we are working to get these pools finished. There are a few people out there, however, who have become obsessed with seeing our company destroyed, despite their pools being finished.” said Olympus Pools in a statement to Pool Magazine.
Staten himself says that no wrong doing took place. “I know we have committed no crime. Just because someone makes a report or tells a story it does not mean that it is true.” said Staten in a statement to investigative reporter Jackie Callaway.
Many Olympus Pools customers have reached out to Pool Magazine over the last few weeks, sending us photos of their job sites, complaints and the various stories and news articles that have been written about Olympus Pools. The amount of negative attention in the media has surmounted to the point where Staten has brought in a professional press relations consultancy firm to help communicate with the media. In a statement released to Pool Magazine, an Olympus Pools representative said:
“Individuals have coordinated attacks on our company through a private Facebook group. They’ve coordinated physical pickets and protests on the street, coordinated efforts to reach out to the media and coordinated efforts to reach out to law enforcement. As a result, authorities clearly have to take those claims seriously, however, as I have said before, we have not broken any laws and we are still here. We’re completing work every day. We are not hiding and we are not going anywhere. We will finish all of the jobs we started, so long as our license remains intact.”
Olympus Pools Responds to Subcontractor Complaints
We questioned Olympus Pools point blank about recent allegations made by local subcontractors that are complaining to the media that they have not been paid. Recently Humberto Jimenez made a claim that he was owed over $380,000. Another contractor Brian Wagner had claimed he was owed over $73,000.
“$73,000 is huge for us. We could potentially lose half our employees,” Wagner told investigative reporter Jackie Callaway. “Our last resort is to file a lien. It is something we have discussed and really don’t want to do.”
“I didn’t want to speak out because I don’t want to start trouble and not get work from other builders.” Jimenez told Pool Magazine Editor Joe Trusty, “Many other subcontractors are owed money too, and they are afraid to speak out for the same reason.”
We inquired with Olympus Pools as to both of these particular contractors that reported to the media they had not been paid, a public relations represenative for Staten said the following:
“Regarding Mr. Jimenez, his statement that he is owed $380,000 is flat out false. Last week, he told the media it was $300,000 and we provided proof of payments to the reporter. We spoke to the person who handles Mr. Jimenez’s accounting and she told us that there is an issue on their end and that they failed to apply payments we made to their invoices. According to his own accounting people, they haven’t recorded our payments. As soon as Mr. Jimenez has his accounting in order, and it is accurate, we will review his invoices and determine the accurate amount to see if in fact there is a balance to settle. Regarding Brian Wagner, we have paid him $47,512 in the last 6 weeks and now owe him less than $24,000.”
It is important to note that Olympus Pools has made some headway with subcontractors since our last report. Pool Magazine Editor – Joe Trusty, was in communication with Aaron Allen of Paver Solutions who recently reported that his firm had finally reached a resolution with Olympus Pools.
Can Olympus Pools New Plan of Action Reverse The Damage?
In a phone call back in April with Pool Magazine, Staten insisted that he fully intends to finish each of the projects Olympus Pools has been contracted for. He also said that he would not take on a single new project until his company was caught up on their current jobs.
“We’ve cut off taking deposits, we’ve cut off starting excavation. all we’re focusing on is the jobs under construction,” Staten said.
As far as the homeowners who are afraid their jobs will not be completed, Staten said “Their pools are going to get completed. We are working tirelessly. I promise you, you won’t find anybody, any company out there working harder. We doubled the size of our in-house construction team so we can be more self-reliant and give better service.”
While the lawsuit and criminal allegations aside may prove to be nothing, Staten has a lot of work to do in terms of repairing Olympus Pools reputation. We asked them what they plan to do in order to restore confidence with the community and with their trade partners.
Staten insists that he has the funds to complete the projects he is under contract for. Recently he released a press release saying that he was partnering up with respected builder Jordan Hidalgo and Pools by Jordan to help finish jobs in a more timely fashion. This is news which may bode well for homeowners. Staten seems to have made considerable headway since partnering with Hidalgo who will now be managing administration, accounting, permitting, purchasing, and customer relations starting Tuesday.
Since May 10, Olympus Pools has completed the following:
- 26 Pools passed final inspections
- 18 pools have had concrete work completed
- 13 job sites have been cleaned up by cleaning crews
- 12 pre-grades were completed
- 11 pools had electrical work completed
- 11 pools had brick and tile completed
- 10 pools had plumbing work completed
- 4 screen enclosures have been completed
- 3 pools had plaster work completed
- 2 retaining walls completed
“I’m looking forward to putting this chapter behind Olympus and showing what our talented teams are capable of accomplishing together,” said Hidalgo.
Only just last year, Olympus Pools had an “A” rating with the BBB. The story this year is much different. Outsiders can only hope that bringing in a seasoned veteran like Hidalgo can turn the tide. Homeowners, law enforcement and the entire pool industry are watching closely.
The pressure is certainly on Staten to deliver. Although it may seem that forces are conspiring against him, there is probably not a single person involved in this entire mess that truly wants to see Olympus Pools fail.
Not the reporters and investigators who are just doing their job. Certainly not the employees whose futures and reputations are entwined with Olympus Pools. Neither do the trade partners and subcontractors that helped build Olympus into what it was. Nor the homeowners who entrusted Olympus Pools to be good shepherds of their backyard dream. Truth be told, the homeowners are probably the last ones in the world that want to see this company fold.
Right now, one can only speculate as to whether or not Olympus Pools can make a recovery and hopefully salvage a once highly respected reputation in the pool world, as well as their own local community.
Nick Buchholz didn’t come into the pool industry through construction or design school—he came in through the kitchen. His early ambition was to become a world-class chef, and it’s that culinary background that now shapes his approach to custom pool building at Basin Pool Designs. Based in Tennessee, Buchholz doesn’t just build pools—he assembles immersive environments with the same precision, layering, and intention as a Michelin-starred tasting menu. “It’s quite similar,” says Bucholz, “starting with the raw ingredients and trying to turn them into something spectacular.” That mindset—equal parts obsessive and creative—has positioned Basin as one of the most design-forward firms in the country, with pools that feel more like art installations than backyard amenities.
At first glance, Buchholz’s journey from aspiring chef to luxury pool designer may seem unconventional. But look closer, and the connection between haute cuisine and high-end pool building becomes apparent. Much like designing a gourmet menu, every Basin project is layered with thoughtful detail, curated ingredients, and a deeply personal creative process. “The process for me is almost the same,” says Buchholz. “I do think about it like I’m building a menu or creating a new dish.”
From Culinary Arts to Outdoor Artistry
Raised in Tennessee, Buchholz initially pursued a career in fine dining, attending culinary school and working under top chefs. But he soon realized the restaurant life—working nights, weekends, and holidays—clashed with the lifestyle he wanted. A friend introduced him to pool and landscape design, and from there, Buchholz’s trajectory shifted.
“I honestly thought I was going to be a chef,” he says. “But I was fortunate enough to get to talk someone into letting me design some projects, and I taught myself CAD.”
As 3D modeling software became accessible, Buchholz saw an opportunity. Unable to hand-draw, he leaned heavily into the new digital tools, quickly developing a skillset that blended his creative instincts with technical precision. He spent years designing for top-tier firms in Phoenix—including California Pools—before moving back home to Tennessee to start Basin Pool Designs.
Basin Pool Designs: Beyond the Ordinary
While many builders in the region chased production work during the pandemic boom, Buchholz went the opposite direction, focusing on highly custom, boutique projects.
“I’m not interested in volume,” he explains. “I want every project to be unique. It doesn’t excite me to get up and build a 20-by-40 rectangle in every backyard.”
This design-forward approach is evident in every Basin Pool Designs project. Whether it’s a highly technical pool application, a modern accent to the overall outdoor living area, or something completely visually unexpected, each project is deeply considered.
And yet, the firm isn’t about luxury for luxury’s sake. Buchholz is just as proud of using materials smartly and economically—another lesson he carried from the kitchen.
“One of my mottos I picked up from an incredible chef I worked for was ‘peasant food fit for a king,’” he shares. “We don’t have to use $100-a-square-foot tile to make it look excellent.”
Sukabumi stone, for instance, features prominently in several of Basin’s projects. It’s not exorbitantly priced, but when deployed with care and context, it elevates the entire aesthetic. It’s this philosophy—refined design, thoughtful materials, and masterful execution—that’s become Basin’s signature recipe.
The Process: Part Art, Part Engineering
For Buchholz, the design journey begins with immersion: understanding the client, the architecture of the home, the surrounding landscape, and the emotional experience the space should create.
“I sweat the small stuff,” he says. “Every little line matters. I want to bring the outdoor project indoors and vice versa, so it feels like one seamless environment.”
Buchholz’s attention to detail isn’t limited to visuals. Basin projects are engineered to the highest standards, with pressure-tested plumbing, compaction testing, and retaining systems that rival commercial installations. That blend of artistic vision and structural rigor is what earns the trust of architects, engineers, and discerning homeowners alike.
One standout project in Brentwood—a 66-foot Lautner edge pool—was constructed on unstable soil, requiring 80-foot helical piers and significant structural coordination before a single drop of water could be added.
“We had to build it upside down, basically,” Buchholz recalls. “The pool was laid out before the house was even there, and the elevation challenges were serious.”
Yet the result is flawless: an elevated mirror of still water that reflects the sky and surrounding hills. Shot by renowned photographer Jimmy Smith, the image is so iconic it’s featured prominently on PebbleTec’s website.
A Circle of Inspiration
Though Basin Pool Designs calls Tennessee home, the firm’s creative DNA is informed by Buchholz’s time in the Southwest and his participation in organizations like Tributary Revelation and Genesis. Influences like Kirk Bianchi, Randy Angell, and Ben Lasseter have helped shape his approach.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around so many good designers,” he says. “But I’m also inspired by people outside the pool world—architects, landscape designers, even chefs.”
In fact, one of Buchholz’s favorite projects—a striking elliptical pool set on a private runway in Lebanon, TN—was originally inspired by the nose cone of a DC-9 airplane. The design curves harmoniously with the surrounding garden walls and includes a custom wood diving board installed in the center of a Baja shelf.
“It was a risky design,” Buchholz admits. “But the ellipse was so captivating for that space. Even though the home is all straight lines, the pool just opens everything up in a more organic way.”
Intentional Spaces, Calming Energy
For Buchholz, a successful design isn’t just about form—it’s about feeling. One early-career build, nestled at the foot of Camelback Mountain in Arizona, remains a favorite. With its intimate integration into the home, perimeter overflow edges, and quiet minimalism, the pool delivers what he describes as “a sense of calm.”
“I like still water. It calms me,” he says. “I’m an intense person all day, and when I see that clean design and those earth tones reflecting in the water, it just levels me.”
It’s that feeling—restorative, peaceful, refined—that Buchholz wants to deliver for every client.
Selective by Design
The statement “We don’t build for everyone” appears boldly on Basin’s website. It’s not an attitude of elitism—it’s about alignment.
“I’m passionate and opinionated,” Buchholz says. “It’s easy to tell if a client will respond well to that. And if they understand the level of craftsmanship and experience we bring, then they’re probably a Basin Pool Designs client.”
That alignment is key, especially when the firm is asked to push boundaries. From raised spas and fire features to complex geometry and full outdoor living compositions, Buchholz is often asked to deliver the exceptional—and thrives under those expectations.
“Every one of these builds is a different challenge,” he adds. “But that’s what keeps it exciting.”
What’s Next for Basin Pool Designs?
Looking ahead, Buchholz wants to explore designs that blend structure and softness—organic forms with refined precision.
“I’d love to do a full perimeter-overflow circular pool,” he says. “Something modern, but it feels calm. More grasses, more earth tones, less flash.”
Whatever the form, one thing is clear: Buchholz will approach it the same way he approaches every project—with a chef’s discipline, an artist’s eye, and a builder’s commitment to excellence.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Nick Buchholz with Basin Pool Designs on the Pool Magazine podcast.
Photo Credits:
Builder: Basin Pool Designs
Photographer: Jimi Smith Photography
News
United Aqua Group Member Builds Dream Pool for Local Boy Battling Cancer, Inspired by Conference Keynote
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 22, 2025)— After hearing a moving keynote address at the 2025 United Aqua Group conference, Luke Unger of Tredway Pools in Fort Wayne, Indiana returned home with a renewed commitment to making a difference. Remarkably, on the same day, he received a message about a local boy battling cancer whose biggest wish was to swim in his own backyard pool.
For Unger, the timing felt like more than a coincidence, it felt like a calling.
“When I heard John [O’Leary] at the UAG conference, it really struck a chord,” said Luke Unger, owner of Tredway Pools and United Aqua Group member. “It reminded me that our work can be more than business, it can be a way to change lives. When I saw that message, it was just a no-brainer. We had to do it.”
The keynote speaker shared his powerful story of surviving burns over 100% of his body as a young boy, inspiring UAG members to turn resilience into action and make a meaningful impact with their lives.
“This is what our group is all about,” said United Aqua Group President Craig Goodson. “We’re not just a buying group; we’re a network of leaders who care deeply about their communities. Luke’s action is a shining example of the character and compassion our members bring to our industry.”
United Aqua Group frequently hosts events that go beyond technical training and purchasing power. Its annual conference aims to build leadership, foster inspiration, and create lasting partnerships across the pool and spa industry.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
About United Aqua Group
UAG is a premier group purchasing organization serving the pool and spa industry. Since 1963, UAG has empowered its members with access to competitive pricing, exclusive vendor programs, and industry-leading resources. With a nationwide network of over 350 independent pool professionals, UAG fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence, supporting businesses of all sizes and experiences levels in both the residential and commercial sectors.
Learn more about United Aqua Group and how to join here.
Contractors and Builders
PHTA and ICC Publish ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4 2025 American National Standard For Aboveground/Onground Residential Pools
(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Code Council (ICC) are pleased to announce the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval and publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4 2025 American National Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools (PHTA-4).
The newly revised PHTA-4 standard provides recommended minimum guidelines for the design, equipment, operation, and installation of aboveground/onground residential swimming pools. This is an essential document for the pool and hot tub industry, and especially for manufacturers and producers of aboveground/onground residential swimming pools. Consumers who own or are considering installing a pool of this type will find vital safety requirements within.
“PHTA is proud to have spearheaded the revision of this key standard for the pool industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “We are grateful to have the ICC as a partner as we continue to improve the design, operation, and safety of aboveground and onground residential pools. We could not have accomplished this without the incredible efforts of our volunteers who served on the PHTA-4 Standard Writing Committee and the subject matter experts who provided their insights.”
The changes to the standard include several new requirements which were added with safety features in mind. Pools with a reinforcing strap or belt around the outside must not be designed in a way that it could be used as a foothold for a child to climb into the pool. Detailed content about barriers around the swimming pool was also added to correspond with requirements in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Another new safety-related requirement restricts openings and gaps at a certain level below the water surface to avoid underwater entrapment.
Federal, state, local, and international authorities, as well as industry members and consumers, recognize the need for modern, up-to-date standards governing the design, construction, alteration, repair, and maintenance of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, aquatic facilities, and other water-containment vessels. Part of the ANSI/PHTA standards development process includes regular review of existing standards to ensure this need is met. The newly revised PHTA-4 standard explains certain criteria for the design, manufacturing, testing, care, and use of aboveground/onground residential (Type O) non-diving swimming pools and their components.
This standard applies to pool builders, manufacturers, producers, pool service companies, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities, and pool and spa operators, as well as consumers who wish to enjoy this type of pool.
The new PHTA-4 standard is available to read here or purchase here. For more information, please visit the PHTA-4 webpage, email [email protected], or call (703) 838-0083.
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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.
About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.
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