do not use this company unless you want to get scammed.. the work is awful. not complete.. the "project manager jared is well on his way to the same place mark tugman been ... pure bait and switch tactics.. after mark visited the site, he tried to charge me an additional 6000 for the crane needed to do job safely and correctly.. waited many months past the date because they didnt order the right tile.. then ordered the wrong size again.. the diving board was warped and i had to argue just to get a new one.. furthermore once i looked at the website for the cover that i got (25k.btw)i saw a prefab cover that should go with it. it actually fits the opening. there is also a light for the bubbler that is attached to a live wire just floating in the pool where they tried to jerry rig it in.. when i asked jared to fix it he said "dont worty its low voltage." my daughter swims in there for. crying out loud .. there are other lights that dont work as well. then i get a demand for final payment .. i tell mark that its not complete and he says no warranty work will be done until paid.. ladt time i checked you have to finish a job to get paid.. then i get a court notice for a lien.. well he met the right one.. we will see you then buddy boy.. the great thing is .. we have recordings and video, text messages etc.. prime example of your stereotypical scamming pool compa read more

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Do NOT use this company. They are incredibly unprofessional and will not apologize for what happened... They owner's husband Mark Tugman showed up at my house hours before our appointment was to take place (so I wasn't home), proceeded to roam all over my property without permission, scared my children to death as they thought he was a prowler or burglar, and then he URINATED right next to my back door! I caught it all on camera. When I got home and figured out who it was that had been there, I called the business and they would not give me the owner's contact info, nor did I receive a call from anyone apologizing or explaining the situation--nothing. I finally received a call a week later from Mr. Tugman wanting to know why I had left a message to have the owner call me (he still wouldn't put me in contact with her), and he STILL wouldn't apologize and just made excuses! So unprofessional and very creepy guy. I would not feel safe with him on my property ever. I filed a police report. read more

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I've always been taken care of here and they do what ever they can to help if you are a DIY person. I'm amazed at the reviews and having owned a pool service business I can empathize with the owner. I can't imagine dealing with the clients that they encounter. I was told by another pool service company, not Athens Pool and Spa, that they pick and choose their clients and can afford to, luckily, because many of these clients probably have been black listed from all other service companies. Kinda like good spouses, the good ones a taken. If you own a pool, you should be aware of the animal you are accepting responsibility for, and if you don't want that responsibility, it will cost you someone else's knowledge that is not cheap! pools are expensive unfortunately, and if you don't understand that, don't have one. read more

Much like Rick T, I don't know what problems the other reviewers have with this place. I love it. I purchased a 21' round, above-ground Doughboy steel pool, which I then built a deck around. The pool is slightly dug in on one side to give the appearance of an in-ground. It really is a fantastic setup. Jim Blume, at the time, had come out to me and had given me a full estimate of not only what the pool would look like, but also what some other landscaping ideas would be. I took his advice and the finished product still gets compliments, 9 years later. I have the original liner in the pool, the original filter, and the original pool pump. Everything was made by Doughboy, in the USA, and is basically bullet-proof. I also purchased the Polaris "Turtle" from here and I love it. The turtle still runs great. I've often called and paid for things over the phone and I have them hide them for me, since they sometimes close before I get off of work, and they are able to do that for me without a problem. One time, around 4 years ago, I let the pool get away from me and they came out and got me back to crystal clear within 4 days for around $50!!! I have favorite employees, and that would be Andrew and his brother, but the entire staff is helpful. I think sometimes the new personnel gets a little flustered (my poor wife went back and forth 3x once to get the right part with the young lady), but overall they are still EXTREMELY helpful and they really go far to make sure the customer (me) is satisfied. Also, they always have deals on chemicals at the end of the season and they just branched out into selling massage chairs. While I won't be getting one of them (a little outside my range), they are amazing and I thoroughly tested one!! ;-) After over 9 years as their customer, they have NEVER lied to me or treated me any way other than fair. This is still a family business and it is one of the few still left where they treat you right! read more

Conundrum Confusion Dilemma As I have written previously, I have had the most unfortunate circumstance in encountering Mark Tugman. Mark is afflicted with the "Don King" syndrome, this sickness exhibiting itself in the following manner: "I you don't have to screw somebody to get money, the money just is not worth anything." Mark, using someone else's name, sent me a bill out of the blue, about $820. I could not understand the bill. The bill was confusing, inaccurate and in my opinion phony. Mark refused to clarify or discuss this bill. Mark thereupon placed a mechanics lien on my house, after which Mark sued me. This was at a time when I was trying to obtain a mortgage, which Mark purposely screwed up. Mark then in some manner Mark coerced the mortgage company into paying a dollar amount substantially in excess of the original bill!! That amount was then added to my mortgage. Needless to say I am aggravated. But my dilemma is this: Do I undertake the personally satisfying action of dragging scumbag Mark into civil and hopefully criminal court and burning his rear end? Or do I use my energies helping my foster children grow and prosper; taking further religious study; enjoying my beautiful wife of 45 years and our home and gardens; and the many wonderful things in life. Mark is one of the most despised business owners in Clark/Oconee Counties. Someone must work to control this disgusting person, I understand. However it does take a great deal of effort and exposes people like me and my family to the really foul, dark side of life where Mark reside. Do I go after Mark? If anyone has any advice, please let me know. read more

Just called to ask for a part for my hot tub and the guy on the phone was INCREDIBLY RUDE and short with me when I was trying to explain the part I needed. He also started talking with someone else as I was trying to explain. I never write reviews but this took me back a bit. read more

If I could have a negative star rating I would choose that. Buyer beware the staff that work here are great the owner is a con man who doesn't do the work promised and when you say you won't pay until he resolves the issue he threatens to put a lean on your house even though the bill was only issued two weeks prior. As a result of this experience I looked into the owners background and was shocked by what I found. My advice is look good bro this business and the owner before you call. Better yet just don't call you will save yourself time and money read more

Don't do it. Absolutely the worst. How Mike Tugman stays in business here is beyond me - probably why he left NY and S FL. Bait and switch (and just a jerk) from the start, then it took six months to put in a basic fiberglass pool that should've taken a few weeks (and it's not even level) - an entire house with a basement was built two doors down in the time it took to finish a fiberglass pool project. Wish we had seen the Yelp reviews before signing. read more

I don't know what this other poster is all about, but I have nothing but good dealings with the owners. Athens Pool & Spa was recently sold and is owned by a new family who seem to have plenty of experience in the business. We split our time between NYC and Georgia and we're spending more and more time in down south. The store is has been reorganized and the changes are obvious. With the swimming season upon us, I've been happy to keep my business with the new owners who are very knowledgeable and fair. read more

WARNING TO ALL!!!!!!!do not do business with this company at all, our GC did not pay them even though we paid our GC, so he came to our house, trespassed in our backyard, cut live cables and piping from the pool pump and heater and ran off before the cops showed up read more

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This is the absolute worst company to deal with. I applied for the wells Fargo financing on their website and was approved for it. Contacted Mark at Athens Pool Company and he did not know anything about what that was or how to access the information for it. After several phone calls back and fourth he finally spoke with wells Fargo who told him how to access it so I could purchase my pool. I was told due to Covid-there was only one 18 wide foot above ground pool left that would be coming in by the end of April. I explained I wanted it and he could charge my new card if need be. He then said that he would have his installer contact me and now that he understood how the financing worked it was not an issue. I said ok good, because I don't want to lose the pool in the meantime. That was on April 8th. Today April 21st, I had to reach out to Mark at Athens Pool & Spa to get an update as to why I haven't heard from anyone and he tells me he sold to someone else last week. He and staff were rude and provided the worst customer service ever at best. They sold this last pool from under me when I had the ability to purchase it and Mark knew this and still sold it to someone else out of spite. This is one of many reviews I will be giving this company, as this should not happen to anyone who is just trying to purchase a pool. I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau as well in regards to the business practices of this company. read more

I want to strongly caution anyone that is considering dealing with these people. We had a leak in our pool and hired them to find the leak. They sent Matt out and he spent an hour and a half and couldn't find it. They sent us a bill for $178 anyway. We called them back about a month later and asked them to try again. This time they were able to pin point it to 3 or 4 ft area They excavated down about 16" and pointed out the leak. . This took maybe 4 hrs. They billed us $500 . We disputed this and they deducted the original $178. They said they couldn't do the repair so they had the guy that they use on the side do the repair for $2300. They then sent us another $825 bill for leak detection. They seem to just invent charges out of thin air and are unethical about it. They can't be trusted so I will never let them set foot on our property again. read more

Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else for your swimming pool needs. Don't make the same mistake I did. The people were very nice but they steered me the most expensive route at every turn as I was trying to get my pool ready for the summer. They drained my lined pool, forcing me to replace the liner which ripped when it was drained, and doubling the cost to get my pool up and running. It took them weeks to get the liner installed after it was already ordered and delivered too. Terrible experience and a costly lesson I hope no one else has to learn the hard way like I did read more

Update from my original review. (After 30 days a review can not be amemded so I am updating, as promised to Mark at Athens Pool and Spa) Athens Pool and Spa offered to come spread top soil over the pea gravel that was left in our front side yard if we paid for the dirt. So... my husband and I paid for a dump truck of top soil and they came and smoothed it out.. Hopefully we can have grass again by Spring. read more

Worst Company in Athens to deal with very unprofessional . Mark the owner will tell you anything but the truth when it's comes to his employees including his son. If you would like a reference Please feel free to call me at 706-202-2020. read more

Lol. Athens Pool n spa owner is a liar. First off mark YOU ARE A LIAR. And I'm sure your surprised that I wrote a review. Because thats not the kind of person I am. But you lie n are a sneaky crook. Good try covering you butt. I am handcapi, good try. Thats why I needed the special top. YOUR FUNNY ,It wasnt a promotion, my paper work shows I paid for it good try, n how fast you were to sell me it, once you found out I onky have the use of one hand. your just a liar. Anyone can contact me n see everything Im saying I have nothing to hide. MARK from Athens Pool n spa never told ne anything, you werent even there when I went in about the leak. I never knew about the bill for the sneaky service. Your workers even said you do it all the time to customers. Lets get the news channels in to check n see how many people come out of the wood work with the same problem. N I pay all my bills, liget ones, not made up ones. . . You know its true... everything I wrote. N $90 is a nothing bill then do you bill with out telling the custoners before the repair., but its that just you ...lie to customers telling them ." It's covered" n bill them n threaten them if they complain n try to fight the unknown sneaky bill. Ill be supbening people. Your just a lying crook. Ive been in several times getting my water tested. I drove from winder to Athens and I always spent money in your store, everytime. But no more. I guess the $90 is worth more then the thousands that would of been spent tgere over time. Sneaky doesnt pay. Nor look good on you. There are other places to get my chemicals n water tested. n be sure I will tape every conversation i need to have concerning service or repairs. N even your workers say it, that you dont tell the customers up front n then bill them. Im sure most pay but your just low. Its not about the $90 its about being swindled n thats just what you are a swindler . Lol your just so loved with in. Not. read more

Athens Pool & Spa - Hot Tub & Pool Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Yelp keeps taking my review down!!! Wonder why?? Amazing customer service. Love the owners!! Very accommodating and perfect for all your pool/spa needs! read more

The absolute WORST experience i have ever had!!! & Mark Tugman was terrible to work with. I Paid for 1/2 of my inground pool on June 15th of 2017 and was told 6-8 weeks. The pool did not get finished until NOVEMBER of 2017. Yeah i said it, november- 5 months. Not 6-8 weeks. Everything was wrong. I got a call before concrete was even poured wanting another $10,000 (which i paid) and after I was charged extra for concrete that i was told i wouldn't be. Fast forward to spring time, its April and im trying to get my pool opened. I called a company out here because my pool is green, my filter isnt working and the pump isnt very strong. They told me that Athens Pool & Spa installed a filter that wasnt large enough for my pool and it was bogging down the whole system. Needless to say, i paid $30,000 for a pool that doesnt even work, has concrete edges that looks like shit, and has the wrong filter. Im so over athens pool and spa that im not even going to call to get them to install a correct filter because lord knows theyll probably mess something else up. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO INSTALL AN INGROUND POOL FOR YOU!!!!! I would post a picture but i dont even think it matters at this point. I wish no stars was an option for this review. My information has not been updated. You installed the pool in watkinsville-Greene county (originally pulled the permits in the wrong county) and it was not put under my name. The impeller is not clogged nor is the filter dirty. That is what this company checked for today. Again, I will be getting services from someone different as we had so many problems with your company on installation. Thanks. read more

Steer clear of this place! We called to get a consult on re-doing the concrete inside of our pool and first they took forever to call us back. Then we set up an appointment to come look at my pool (which I took off of work for!) and they no showed. I finally got the owner Mark on the phone and he told me a story about how "he has been building pools for disney or something for 100 yrs and he know everything about pools". Everything except how to take care of a customer. The whole experience was a disaster. Don't waste your time with these people. read more

Andrew was wonderful help. He is the only competent one here. Mark is a joke and found out he is the owner. I dropped my vac off for warranty service and 3 weeks later they said they were still waiting on a motor for it. Called Heyward and they said a claim had not even been filed. Called Mark back and then he asks me for my address and info for the warranty claim even though originally I dropped off a copy of my warranty filing with all of my info on it including the serial number, address, phone number, email, etc. So I asked Mark, do you have the sheet I left you with all that info, he said yeah somewhere, I saw it earlier but don't know where it is. That's nice, I like my info floating around everywhere. Needless to say, when I picked it up today Mark said thanks for your patience, 5 weeks after I dropped it off, but it wasn't our fault. If you want service that takes a month or more by someone very unorganized, and incompetent go to see Mark at Athens Pool and Spa and he will get you not taken care of. If your a company that wants an incredible caring employee, go steal him from Mark at Athens Pool and Spa named Andrew. Andrew is a great great employee and probably the only reason the doors are still open. read more

I am very happy with the service Athens Pool provided for me. They came out for three straight days to clear the cloudiness in the pool in order to detect the leak. The leak was repaired and pool looks incredible for the first time in over 10 years. The price was quite reasonable for the time involved. Thank you! I look forward to using them for all my future pool needs. read more

I have been dealing with Athens Pool for many years. The previous owner was pretty competent and friendly. The new owner Mark, not so much. About a year ago I had them come open my pool and they sent their son Steve to do the job. After watching him open my pool all he did was pull cover on pool and throw some chlorine in it. That's it. I went by the store and asked for the manager a few days later. I spoke to Michael who was extremely nice and knowledgeable. I told him my situation and Michael got Steve out of the back and brought him out. I then asked Steve what he did to my pool when he opened it? He proceeded to LIE to me and told me he did everything including checking all chemicals and balancing pool. I proceeded to contradict his statement and told him I was watching him the whole time! At that time Mark, the owner, came up to join the conversation and Steve just walks away. I then proceeded to tell Mark what happened and what he said and Mark said that his son wouldn't lie and raised his voice with me while other customers were right there. I proceeded to turn around and walk out of store when Michael the manager walked out behind me apologizing for what had happened. I told him that I would never do business with Athens Pool again and he asked to give them another chance. Because of Michael's professionalism and him genuinely caring I agreed to. I used Athens Pool a few more times and Michael was always great to me and very knowledgeable. I recently returned to the store to find that Michael was no longer there and the people working there now including Mark to be not so helpful. Most of them were too busy playing on their phones!! I left and will never return again. I tracked Michael down and found out that he owns his own company now and he will receive my business from this day forward. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of Athens Pools and their unprofessional staff and their rude owner!!! read more

Be very careful with current management. Caveat emptor. Get everything in writing so they don't renege on oral agreements. I'll never deal with these people again. read more

What a horrible experience! They were inefficient and dishonest to boot. They spent one first afternoon trying to remove the water on our automatic pool cover with a small pump followed by a shop vac. After 4 hours, the pool guy advised us that there must be a hole in the pool cover and we should drain our pool to a point where there is no more contact between the cover and the pool water. The plan was to then remove the water on the cover, patch the hole, open the pool all the way, and start refilling the pool. We started to drain the pool but realized soon after that we were going to end up damaging our pool cover, pulling up the tracks for the cover. We called them the next day and asked to come back with a proper pump and in one hour, all of the water on the cover was gone! So, had they had the proper pump the first day, a lot of time and pool water would have been saved! We started adding water back to the pool and they put chemicals in the pool. Then it was time for the bill. First they submitted a bill with inflated hours. They billed us for 7 hours of work the first day instead of the 4 hours they actually worked. When we called them on it, they backed down. In spite of that the bill remained incredible. They charged a fee for coming out, a fee for opening the pool, a fee for the labor at a rate of $75.00/hour, a fee for the chemicals. The bill totaled nearly $800.00. Suffice it to say, we will never deal with this company again. read more