Pool Builders Picking Up The Pieces for Olympus Pools Customers

Pool Magazine reported about the situation with Olympus Pools roughly 10 months ago when news coverage began to hit the media. It was a story that captured the attention of the nation due to the sudden spike of interest in inground pools during the pandemic. Olympus Pools was a highly respected and well-reviewed pool company that had apparently left hundreds of homeowners high and dry with open holes in their backyard and no way to complete their pool projects.

We spoke with the owner of Olympus Pools – James Staten as well as affected homeowners early on during the initial turmoil circling Olympus Pools. In the following months, we monitored the progression of events in the media until Olympus Pools was shut down completely by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This happened after the Florida Attorney General received over 200 complaints and estimated net losses to Tampa homeowners to be in the neighborhood of $8 million dollars. Today, Olympus Pools faces a $1.4 million dollar penalty as a result.

That’s not the end of the trouble though, aside from being forced to file for bankruptcy, SCP obtained a $1 million judgment against the Statens in September which allowed them to freeze and garnish the money in their personal bank account. To make matters worse, in addition to the civil actions, the Attorney General says the Office of Statewide Prosecution is assisting local law enforcement with a criminal investigation against Staten.

Picking Up The Pieces For Olympus Pools Customers

After the recent implosion of the company, hundreds of homeowners and contractors were left holding the bag and trying to figure out what comes next. For the homeowners, the answer isn’t so simple. Finding a pool builder that can complete the work and finish their swimming pool project has been a challenge for many. Some of the members at the FSPA, like Tony Arredondo (FSPA, Tampa Bay Chapter – Director at Large) have been working diligently to try and connect those homeowners that have been affected with local pool construction firms that can try and help salvage those jobs.

Tampa Pool Contractors Step In

We had the chance to speak recently with Arredondo and his colleague Jacob Schroth to find out how they’ve been working with local homeowners to try and salvage some of the abandoned jobs.

A permanent fixture in the Tampa community, Arredondo is the owner of Tampa Pool Pro and has been performing swimming pool renovations in the local area since 2010. Like many in the industry, Arredondo had seen the swirling news coverage about Olympus Pools. We asked him what has happened in the Tampa market in the wake of the fallout.

“It’s left a bad taste with most potential new swimming pool homeowners, and even some pool renovation clientele. Most that are familiar with the Olympus Pool situation, are very hesitant about deposits, payments, work getting done, and communication,’ said Arredondo.

Working With Olympus Pools Customers

Little by little as homeowners look to pick up the pieces of their project, they’ve been reaching out to local pool renovation experts like Tampa Pool Pro. Consequently, Arredondo has been applying the communications tools his firm uses when working with former Olympus Pools customers. “When assessing the call, we handle them with kid gloves,” said Arredondo, “we make sure they have everyone’s phone numbers and have numerous communication options, such as our mirroring text service app that allows everyone on the job to see each and every text that comes in.” 

Customers Say There Was Zero Communication

Lack of communication was a complaint Arredondo heard again and again from customers having little to no idea as to the progress of their build.  “No one was returning their calls, and it was weeks and months before hearing from an assigned Project Manager for their build–if they heard anything at all,” said Arredondo.

That lack of communication and the practice of overselling and under-delivering is what gets pool builders in hot water again and again said Arredondo who explained that avoiding customers’ questions and complaints is a sure-fire recipe for the type of disaster Olympus Pools experienced.

“The communication between us and the client is of utmost importance,” said Arredondo, “most do not expect you to be on the job site daily–micromanaging your team.  However, they do expect you to keep in touch with them and return their calls, or send them a quick text message or email.  We set that expectation with every client. There’s absolutely no excuse, period. Education and good communication create trust.”

Abandoned Pools Need Thousands of Dollars in Renovation Work

There is still a ton of work to be done on many of these pools Arredondo is looking at. Often homeowners are looking at a bill of tens of thousands of dollars to complete their backyard pool project. This uncomfortable fact comes after paying most for most of their pool project upfront with Olympus.

Many of these pools are abandoned jobs that have been exposed to the elements for months before a contractor has had a chance to review the work that has been done. Still, Arredondo says he is eager to work with the ones intent on finishing their pool project. “We walk them through the deposit schedules and educate them on the scope of work needed for completion,” said Arredondo, “this includes the processes and timeframes. We have a 100% success rate with the clients we’ve worked with and have completed their projects in a timely manner. It’s really helping to restore their faith in the swimming pool industry.”

Advice For Homeowners Looking for a Pool Builder

In helping Tampa homeowners find a reliable pool builder to work with, Arredondo had some suggestions to help prevent homeowners from falling victim to fraud, “I would highly recommend researching pool companies they are calling and performing thorough due diligence,” explained Arredondo, “call the City/County/State agencies, research their license to see if they have complaints.”

Reading the online reviews for a business does not give homeowners accurate and up-to-date information about that company claims Arredondo who opined that in today’s digital world, consumers are looking at online reviews and getting half a story or a completely fictional one in some cases.

He says that reading a companies Google reviews doesn’t always offer a complete picture of how reputable that pool contractor is. “Olympus Pools had an impeccable reputation in the state of Florida until just a few months of complaints hitting the media. While the state started receiving complaints, they did not show up online right away,” said Arredondo.

Arredondo has been coordinating with pool contractors from around the Tampa region to help finish some of these jobs. “That’s the beautiful thing about the pool industry. There is so much work for everyone,” said Jacob Schroth who has been working closely with Arredondo, “There is no competition between us and when there’s a problem within our industry we are able to all fix it together.”

While the majority of homeowners are still looking to the district attorney’s office for a final resolution and compensation, that process may take years to fully see the course. For those homeowners who are ready to pick up the pieces, it’s refreshing to see some of these completed projects. One year after all of the negative attention and bad publicity this has created the process of healing can begin for those homeowners. Eager to make a difference in their community, Arredondo and Schroth know that re-establishing that trust with consumers and the pool industry is absolutely vital in Tampa.