We contracted on Feb2021 with Southern Scapes Pool & Landscape Design to install a new Latham…read morefiberglass in-ground pool. We met with Tom May about the specifics and he drew up the contract, down deposit made and our target date was Nov2021. Tom said he would draw up a set of plans & get them over to me for review/approval, it was indicated/assumed the plans would be drawn up in a timely manner; the planset was emailed to me in Oct2021. The COVID impacted delivery of the fiberglass pool and it was delayed out for several months. Another email stated we were on the April2022 install pattern. Tom's crew showed up in April and the process began. The hole was dug, pool was set, plumbed and backfilled. The electrical crew showed up and wired everything to the main panel. Concrete was poured for the decking and-at first appearances while it was still wet, it looked great. It was noted that the hand rail cups had shifted position during the pour and troweling. They were moved by the concrete guys while the mix was still plastic, which upset the bond and caused the concrete to chip around the brass cup; they were no longer adhered to the concrete. Approx four weeks after pouring, a crack had developed in one of the deck panels and was traveling in a lateral direction where there was no control joint; it had exceeded 6ft long (visible crack). A second crack was forming from the opposite control joint by the rail cups and was traveling towards the 6ft crack. There were also footprints in the concrete from the concrete crew removing the forms around the mouth of the pool; knee boards were not used to step/kneel on during this process, instead socked feet were used to walk on uncured concrete. Tom came out, inspected and it was determined that the concrete had failed due to a possible improper mix and underlayment. Tom agreed that the whole concrete deck would be removed and they (Southern Scapes) would bear the cost for the replacement. Due to varying schedules, the removal and repouring occurred in Sep2022. A different concrete supplier (CRMP) was used, which is located closer to the site. During the deck removal, the concrete contractor stated he would lay down steel mesh as an additional preventive measure for cracking. On the day of the pour, he stated that his supplier did not have any mesh available, therefore none was laid. Lessons learned/After action: 1: Read the contract closely, if there is a feature/option that was discussed and agreed upon, make sure it is in there before you sign (features/options outside of the standard package). Southern Scapes adheres to the contract and will bring it up when confronted. 2: Communication between contractor and customer was/is very poor, I had to call/text/email numerous times to find out dates/times for onsite events and details. The company does not give periodic updates nor notice when they'll be out to work, they just show up unannounced. 3: Southern Scapes states they do not warrantee the concrete from cracking as stated on their website. Having prior experience working with concrete, I've never had cracking issues after four weeks of initial pouring. 4: There were delays due to supply chain shortages that were very understandable, which I was extremely flexible and compliant with. 5: The overall cost was my driving factor for satisfaction level. There was a great deal of money that went into installing this pool and I expected a highly professional job upon completion. 6: My satisfaction level is very low with the concrete sub-contractor; very poor workmanship on all angles, the final product is typical of a garage floor, not a pool deck. 7: I am completely satisfied with the expert levels of plumbing Tom's crew has and the electrical sub-contractor Tom brought in, very professional and they cleaned up after themselves, leaving no trash. 8: I am also completely satisfied with the fiberglass pool itself, no complaints/regrets on the brand/model we chose. 9: Tom May did honor his word that he would make it right, which he did by replacing all of the concrete at his cost. 10. Working with the co-owner, Christy, was not a pleasant experience. She was more concerned with money and adherence to the contract more than the satisfaction of the customer. 11: Southern Scapes does need to make vast improvements on customer relations, communication, professionalism and workmanship. Without satisfied customers, businesses would not thrive nor survive. 12: Finally, I would recommend Southern Scapes solely based on Tom's action of honoring his word, that carries a lot of weight with me; a man's word is everything in business and elsewhere.

We had excellent service from Tommy from the beginning, when we first inquired about pools, his…read morecompany was the first one to reach out to us. Tommy and his crew were beyond amazing. We meet with him in late spring, he was extremely patient as we changed our minds about the pool lay out, where in the yard to put it and so fourth. After several meeting with Tommy, and 5 quotes later( thankful that he was so patient) he gave us a start date. They actually started the pool a week earlier than what he originally told. Within a week we were able to use the pool. Tommy always kept me abreast of what to expect. I have a beautiful pool in my backyard and I can't say enough about the service and now friendship that he provided!!

No Shoes! GREAT service! There are many good pool…read moreservices in the Outer Banks. We should know, we have tried a few in the 15 years we have lived here. Barefoot Pool Service is the creme de la creme of pool services in the OBX and the prices are reasonable. I know my service gets done twice a week whether I am there or not. And the pool and spa are left in pristine condition, while the liner is safe from the harshest chemicals. Plus all the maintenance for the solar system, the pumps, covers etc.., all taken care of, when ya need it at a fair price.

Promised to open the pool by first weekend in May, then by mid May, then by Memorial weekend. Phone…read morecalls and texts Memorial weekend when we showed up without a working pool were not returned. Told us by messenger (another pool guy) that he just would not be able to get to us. Really unbelievable how irresponsible this business is.

Brandon and his team have serviced our pool and spa for 17 years. I have never had one complaint…read morefrom a guest. Not only does he take great care of my pool he also looks out for my house. Recently he noticed there was a dog on premise and my house is a no pet home. He notified the rental agency so they could take care of the problem.

We have used Brandon and his team since 2007. They are responsive, professional and reliable. In…read morethe beginning, we had little kids so he used organic pool cleansers which was important to us and it kept us out of the pool only for a short time after service. Our pool was for personal use so when we had an issue he was just an email or text away--sending someone immediately. Once we transitioned into rental program, he seemlessly worked with our realty company rather than having to work with theirs. Two thumbs up to Brandon. He's a nice guy too!

We have engaged this company's services several times for various tasks, ranging from stubborn…read morecarpet cleaning to upholstery cleaning. Their team is professional, punctual, and awesome! Sharon, their office manager and front line phone rep., is amazing and most accommodating when scheduling. The cleaning team, including Justin and Kaleem (sp.?) are thorough with regard to their tasks and clean up their job site! Jason has worked with us many times re: various tasks; and this expanded team has been carefully, wisely chosen. Our neighbors tell us that they are great with pool. We don't have a pool; we are oceanfront... This team is wonderful!

Salva Painting was very responsive, gave a competitive quote and did an excellent job at our beach…read morehouse. They got the job done quickly and on short notice before the next occupants. We highly recommend Zoila & Ricardo and will use them again.

Very professional and responsive, with clean results. I would highly recommend for your pool and…read morespa cleaning needs.

Horrible business practice. Tells you he will be there, then doesn't show, but leaves you a text…read moremessage with an estimate.

Tyler and Greg are great people to deal with and we absolutely love our new hot tub. They went…read moreabove and beyond to accommodate us when we needed a hot tub for our rental faster than the distributer could send one. And the Strong Hot Tub they carry is awesome too, HARD TOP with easy to open handles and a warranty you can't beat. Look no further for your spa and pool needs! Positive experience on the Outer Banks!

Let me set the stage: I bought a shiny new construction home in 2021 with a pool that was installed…read moreby a local Pool & Spa company (name redacted to protect the lazy). I'm not a full-time resident -- just a part-time pool guy living that part-time beach life. But even part-time residents deserve full-time water circulation, right? So every year, I call the original installer to open and close my pool. And every year, it's like asking a teenager to do chores -- they either ghost me completely or give me the "we're busy with real customers" brush-off. Which is wild, because I've literally paid them every year, which feels like it should count for something -- if not respect, at least a returned call? Anyway, fast-forward to this year -- Year Four of the Pool Neglect Games. My pump started sounding like a chainsaw being tortured. I'm pretty sure the neighbors were close to calling the HOA or an exorcist. I emailed the original pool company: crickets. Called them: voicemail. Still nothing. So now I've got a dead pump, a murky future, and a wife I just told, "Get ready to bucket-bail this pool for the next two weeks." But then... enter Eric, stage left. (Cue spotlight and heroic music.) At 7:30 AM, I left a voicemail for Aquarius Pools & Spas, and by 7:45, I got a text from Eric like some kind of Pool Whisperer. He said he'd call by 9:30. Guess what? He actually did -- like, on time -- like a grown adult who respects other people's time. I know. Shocking. I gave him the lowdown, sent pics of the setup, and he quoted me a price that didn't make me want to fake my own death to get out of paying it. Then he said the magic words: "I can be there today." I almost cried. This man showed up, mid-day, replaced my pump like an absolute legend, and had my pool up and running same day -- all while the other company was probably still warming up to check their voicemail. Eric is the pool repair ninja I didn't know I needed but now cannot live without. And let's be real, I work in Customer Experience for a living -- I literally get paid to find out why companies suck and fix it. So when someone actually delivers top-tier service without the usual drama, it deserves more than five stars. It deserves a skywriter, a parade, and maybe a statue. So to sum it up: Eric, you crushed it. You turned what could've been a chlorine-scented nightmare into a same-day solution. You've earned my business and my local referrals -- and if you're reading this and need a pool hero, call Aquarius Pools & Spas and ask for Eric. Tell him the guy with the haunted pump sent you. P.S. My wife didn't have to skim bugs with a pasta strainer. She thanks you too.

We have been with Aquarius Pools and Spas for a few years now. The owner Eric is extremely…read moretrustworthy and honest. Pools and hot tubs are not cheap to maintain, but Aquarius's prices are very fair, and for the excellent service we continuously receive, it is well worth it. We previously had another company maintain our pool and hot tub. They touted themselves as the largest pool maintenance company on the OBX. Their technicians were Not trained properly and were told to watch you tube videos to learn the trade! Aquarius is responsive, caring and has well trained employees. You will be very happy with them.