The following is an account of our experience with a company called "Offshore Pools" based in Brick, NJ. We hired them to install a large in ground pool about 8 years ago. Please see my review from about 9 months ago posted elsewhere(and see the update following the review)I will post pictures if possible: "We hired Offshore to build our higher-end pool. They acted like our best friends until they made the sale....after that we were just a number to them. Despite all the proper maintenance, within just a few months the liner began pulling out of the corners. They said it was "normal". We believe the liner was incorrectly installed. A stone "waterfall" from the hot tub section to the main pool developed leaks that caused excessive water loss. The outer wall tiles of the hot tub portion fell off. Worst of all, the concrete patio they constructed developed deep, full-thickness cracks requiring removal and re-pouring of an entire section (at our cost). Now, two other sections have also developed similar large cracks. Three years after they built the pool, the township called us and informed us that Offshore never obtained a permit and we were threatened with a fine. We had to call Offshore and demand that they remedy the situation. No explanation or apology was forthcoming. The last straw was calling them several times in the spring of 2011 to schedule repairs and an opening. No call-back. No response. No service. I will never give them my business again and would strongly recommend that others avoid this company as well. There are other, better pool companies out there. It just takes some research and face-to-face discussion with the owners to weed out the incompetent and the negligent ones. Good luck. See my other reviews for my recommendation." UPDATE 6/16/2012 We are currently in the process of having the concrete repaired by a more reliable pool company. When the new contractor removed the concrete poured by Offshore no reinforcing wire mesh to strengthen the material. As a result, according to our new contractor, the concrete developed horrendous full-thickness fractures and heaved so much that there are now areas where the concrete is cracked and lifted 2 or more inches and others where the concrete has sunken. In addition, the paver coping was found to have no significant concrete footing (see photo)and as a result the coping pavers became undermined and had absolutely no support and sunk down. The cement joints between the coping pavers separated and the pavers began to slant downward and then to sink. Thirdly, Offshore failed to construct or to even recommend a French drain that should have been placed in order to divert ground water away from the pool area. The current contractor tells us that such a drain would have likely prevented the above problems to a large degree. In summary, our current contractor told us that the structural problems we are experiencing are a direct result of the failure to use reinforcing wire mesh, failure to place a concrete footing under the coping and failure to construct(or to recommend)a French drain to divert ground water away from the pool area. As noted above, several prior attempts to get Offshore to respond to this situation were unsuccessful. Our calls were not returned. The repair to our pool is costing us $10,000. We would advise avoiding Offshore Pools at all costs.

So interesting. I was just reading about him. One of the companies coming out to meet with us is involved with the Genesis Design group. I was looking at their website and he is very involved and also an instructor. Sadly, they are closer to New York so a bit out of our range. Perhaps this company has some of the same education and values, so I will ask the question. Thanks for the information, though.

Can anyone recommend a good company in Massachusetts that also offers affordable prices on installation?

Hi everyone, Well let's see ... on the positive side at least our yard is not alone! I wish I had my pics to post but they are on another computer. I have to say looking at the pics I think that we have gotten away with less damage than was possible. I am sure that re-sodding will be tremendously fun but if in the end we enjoy the pool as much as i know that we will it won't be too much of an issue! As for the cold water I can't say that I mind. Having been a competitive swimmer for years I am quite used to chilly water and actually prefer it. But we will see about that as well :) Since we do have gas lines running it wouldn't actually be too much of an issue to put in a gas heater. Well wish me luck. They are supposed to be finishing up on Tuesday and starting to fill the pool by Wednesday. Weather permitting we may actually be able to enjoy the pool for a few weeks!