Moonstarr, Unless that gash was there when you picked it out it has nothing to do with warranty. The nurseries warranty, that was waived due to discounted price, is to cover the tree to survive for their warranty period. If that gash was not there when you looked at and picked the tree you should phone your "professional". It should be up to him and the nursery to figure out where the damage was caused and who should pay for it. No matter what the price you shouldn't. Don't let them get away with it. Imagine if this was a car. You pick a car out and buy it through a third party (professional broker/driver) that can get you a discounted price but you waive the warranty. The car looks fine when you pick it out but when it is delivered by the professional the front end is caved in from what looks like hitting a telephone pole. Would you say "I hope it makes it?" Absolutely not. Sorry to rant but I hate to see people get taken advantage of. Good luck with it and if you are not the type to phone to complain send me more pictures and a phone number and I will do it for you :) SCG

I'll be real honest right up front and disclaim that I DO NOT KNOW if I am speaking from a professional standpoint or a personal one with the following opinion: I would never put anything on Ipe! With that said, mildew resistant only means that they've put something in it to make it LESS APPEALING, not "proof". I swear I think anything can mildew. Second, while the rug is mildew resistant, the wet ipe that will be present after rain, dew, snow, will be less resistant and you are going to get discoloration from hell! If you were to put it out only when the area was in use and then put it away (PITA) it might be a nice accessory. I can just tell you that we have had many many issues when trying to restore ipe that has had just doormats placed, even out of direct sunlight. It is nearly impossible to ever even out the wood again (short of sanding all of it way down). Celeste

That's a good question about how to price and order Centiva! I had to find a local supplier who would sell it and install it. But first I saw it in a local flooring store and got a price just off my measurements to learn if it was in the ballpark. Now I remember the price for cork was the same as the Centiva. Then my GC used his 'go to' flooring installer and they made it appear and installed...I paid the GC. Debrak, as for durability, I get the sense it is more durable than the laminate I had prior. The Very First Day the laminate was in (white stone tile look & pattern by WilsonArt) I dropped a knife and gouged/chipped it for a gray gouge on the white floor. Now I have had Centiva for 5 years and there are no gouges or scratches on it. But I don't think I have dropped a knife point down that I can remember.

I'm not going to defend the quote you received as I don't know the present condition of your pool , the access to the property, etc..- a 20x40 pool is big. Please understand the scope of the requires time to remove old material and dispose of it and replace it with new material and fixing issues along the way. A new pool is a lot easier. Basically work is being twice. On the surface, the pricing does not seem too crazy. After all, your adding a new spa to an existing structure, an auto cover, which is generally expensive on new construction, to an existing pool. The plumbing, equipment, the full length bench, etc.. carries a fee. You should get 2 more quotes minimum, to compare. Ask for references and look at the contractors past work.