For a long time, I didn't share this story publicly. But after 2.5 years, it feels important to…read more
What was supposed to be one of the most joyful parts of building my dream home - adding a pool - became one of the most stressful and disillusioning experiences of my life.
I hired a contractor who ultimately harmed multiple families financially (at least 4 families that we know of, for well over $100k), leaving behind unfinished work, exposed foundations, and unanswered questions. I was forced to take legal action, which is never fun and always costly. As everything unraveled, it became clear that this situation went far beyond poor project management - permits were tied to someone else's license, there were overlapping companies, and layers of deception that only became visible once the damage was already done.
One moment I will never forget: this contractor stood in my backyard talking to me about "leaving a legacy" for his children - with his sons right there. After signing the contract and waiting months with no progress, my follow-ups were sometimes met with photos of extravagant vacations offered as explanations for the delays. At the time, I didn't fully process it. With the clarity that comes from time, those memories land very differently now. I can't say for certain, but if I were a betting woman, I would bet that he took multiple family's life savings and had a blast....then, of course, declared bankruptcy when things started to catch up to him.
All of this happened while I was recovering from a spine injury. I was physically limited, emotionally exhausted, and trying to protect something I had worked my whole life to build. There were moments when I genuinely believed my home might be permanently compromised. A massive hole was dug, my foundation exposed, and then everything stopped. Equipment disappeared. Communication was nonexistent. I was left to figure out how to move forward with the ticking time bomb of having an exposed foundation on my brand new home.
And yet - amid all of that - there were people who restored my faith.
A structural engineer, (Matt Ingram, an AU grad!) who had also been left unpaid, stepped in and helped me understand what had happened. He offered guidance, critical information, and support simply because it was the right thing to do. After an exhaustive search for a company willing to take on a complicated situation (I know this will come as a shock, but no one wanted to touch this situation with a 10-foot pole), he connected me to Cox Pools of the Southeast - truly a turning point in this journey.
I want to specifically thank James, Robert, and McLane. Construction projects are never perfect, but integrity shows in how challenges are handled. Cox Pools, based out of the Dothan area, drove up to Auburn, listened to my story, stood with me through a lot of tears, and gave me hope when I had very little left. They were my hail mary. They were honest, communicative, and relentlessly solution-focused. More importantly, they treated me and my home with genuine care and respect.
They delivered a pool that was quite literally out of my dreams. They stepped into a situation they didn't create and helped transform it into something safe, beautiful, and thoughtfully built. What began as a "want" ultimately became a necessity for my healing and recovery, and they understood that in a deeply human way.
This experience cost me a lot of time, money, health, and peace of mind - but more importantly, it also reminded me that good people still exist in this world. Cox Pools not only created a haven for me, they also healed a piece of my soul that was so broken from this process.
If you're navigating a construction nightmare, first and foremost, I'm so sorry. It is brutal and exhausting in ways most people don't see or understand. Trust your instincts, document everything, and don't give up. And when you find the people who do things the right way, share their stories. (I should add, before working with Cox Pools, I also met with The Backyard Experience Pools and Spas - Eric was so incredibly kind, helpful, and honest - and they earned my pool maintenance business).
This pool is more than a finished project and a dream realized. It's proof that integrity will always matter, that there are wonderful people in this world, and that sometimes the hardest detours lead you exactly where you were meant to be. Looking back, I truly believe that if the original project had been completed the way it started, my home may not have been safe - and I would never have met the incredible team of folks that ultimately made this possible.
All this to say, if you need a pool...contact Cox Pools. You won't be disappointed, and you won't have a "typical" construction experience. You will be met with the utmost professionalism, folks who take immense pride in their work, clear and honest communication, and a team that truly stands behind what they build.
