Vance biengardo was very charming at first. He came across as an honest business man. He asked for almost all of the money to be paid upfront and after that the excuses started. A 2 -week job ( that's what he said) took almost 2 years to completion and he was not able to finish it. We had to pay another contractor to get the job done. In the meantime Vance walked away with our money. Like the reviewer mentioned, we wished we had done our research that showed him having a legal case in 2016. Had we known about it we would not have used him. He has been dishonest in the past and that behavior should not have been tolerated. We found out about it when he was not showing up for the job. At that time we started to do our research and there it was.. Why did the county or state allow him to continue with the scan? When we asked for our money back he said very rudely.. you are not getting any money back. That's when I said to him, I will allow the legal system to decide that. Long story short, he was paid and didn't complete the job. We had to pay someone else. All- please do your research before hiring anyone. It doesn't matter how charming they are. read more

Long story short this man is a thief, do yourself a favor and look up his whole name VANCE BIENGARDO and you'll find his Grand Larceny conviction in Marlboro back in 2016, he has also rebranded himself to continue stealing peoples money and now goes by Pool Builders of America, I wish I had done better research before hiring him back in a October of 2024 to build our inground pool, his MO is to be charming initially, very eager and responsive, he will say yes to every demand, then start collecting money up front, once you hand him money, the excuses start to come as to why the work is delayed...I don't have enough space to truly explain my experience, but I was promised my project would be done in 4 weeks and I had to fire him at almost 9 months with nothing but a framed hole in the ground, some concrete steps and a ruined backyard...please DONT DO WORK WITH THIS MAN before you look up his name and previous business handle. read more

If we could give zero stars, we would. Don't get us wrong, we finally have a beautiful pool. But we went through hell to get it. Vance lies, and has no shame about it. Everything is "tomorrow", and tomorrow never comes. In retrospect the contract was too vague - no completion date and no info that we would have to hire our own electrician to hook up the heater and salt generator that he sold to us. Buyer beware. Be aware that he has burned bridges with every pool water delivery company in the county. He even asked me to call and order the water myself so they wouldn't know it was for him. He never cleaned up after himself and never actually finished the job. He left us with a dented and rusted hand rail, and without a backwash pipe. If I had known the hell we would go through to refurbish our pool I would've definitely hired another more trustworthy company. read more

See all

I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful Vance and his team were to me. I can't believe he has any negative reviews! The problem with these review sites is any angry ex or disgruntled employee can write whatever they want. Anyway, Vance was there tending to my project day and night. He was so kind and sensitive to my situation and worked with me so generously on his pricing. His work was great and he helped me to get my house sold in no time and they buyers said (beside my beautiful kitchen:) it was the pool that sold them! I'm forever grateful to Vance and his team. Thanks guys!! read more

I'm really happy with the quality of work from express. We had a few small problems along the way, but in the end I'm happy we went with express. No one can compete with their prices. Because their prices are so low, I was able to get an inground pool. Rather than an above ground. Express is a little unorganized at times but nothing too crazy. We're very happy with the end result and now we're swimming every day. Thanks to Vance and express pool Builders. We have needed Vance a few times and he always answers his phone. Even when he knew I was mad lol. But even with the hiccups he still deserves the 5 star review. In my opinion read more

See all

Express pools ANYTHING BUT EXPRESS! Was excited to start our project in our new home in September so the ground could be settled for patio area by the next season. Well Vance sat with us on Sept 6, 2018 and INCOMPLETED the job About the second week in July 2019! Learned an important lesson as his contract was written that he had most of our money way to quickly. Life happens and he did have a lot going on personally but was promised time after time that we were a priority! Clearly we were not! We were extremely patient and understanding when we realized it was not going to be completely as promised in a few weeks. We did however expect to be his first job of the new season in 2019, and clearly were put on the back burner time and time again. I must say we totally lost our patience with him and a subcontractor hired to do drains for our patio area. I've never been so rude to ANYONE in my entire life! Promise after promise! The thought of taking legal action crossed our minds several times but with him having most of our money and busy schedules we tolerated the craziness of this unprofessional man. In the end we did have a pool to swim in but we still have a leaking return, wrinkling in the pool liner and drains and a covert not completed and of course were unable to do our patio this season! Oh yes and I forgot to mention, he couldn't get anyone from our area to get water to our pool! The only company that was local that would come up our mountain wouldn't deal with him any longer! They had story after story and won't do any business with this man! We wound up filling our pool with our well! Long story short, you get what you pay for. If I had known that I would have been so frustrated and stressed I gladly would have paid more to deal with someone more professional. Beware! read more

This company is the biggest waste of time and piss poor contractor in the world. I can't use the seven dirty words that I want to in order to describe this company because the review would be blocked. There is nothing "Express" about them other than cashing the check you give them. Guaranteed that happens in less than 24 hours. Everything else this guy Vance tells you is a LIE. Take that to heart before you ever decide to do business with him. On April 14th we were told, mind you we didn't ask, that we would be swimming by July 4th. Make your plans now. The excavation wasn't even done by that point. He only communicates with you when he needs money. Sign a contract for progress payments and he still asks for money early. One payment was due when the forms for the pool arrived. He says it's coming Monday can I get some of that money now? We obliged and gave $12K. Then we wait for 6 weeks before the first piece of equipment showed. He tells us while we are sourcing this project with 5 company's, that he will be here all the time. He hardly shows. There is no supervision. His team of guys ripped thru our invisible dog fence line because they did not pay attention and no supervision. They encroached onto our neighbors property because they didn't have any supervision. Forms are in, concrete inside the pool is done, and plumbing lines are connected as of August 10th. We get a new schedule for payments, completion and swimming by August 20th. We pay him $16K on August 12th for work to start on August 14th. August 16th, and nothing else has been done. No vermiculite, no electrical, no concrete extension of the equipment pad, no liner, no water, no concrete walkway or path around the pool. But that check was cashed in less than 24 hours. Vance says we are starting "early" at 8AM. 10:04 AM he shows up, drops off bags of vermiculite and leaves at 10:06 AM. At 12:45 still nobody there working. He says "I'm there". No you're not because I can see the entire house thru my cameras. NOBODY is there. Even one of his workers said his pool looks the same status and it's been a year. Then as an update, on Friday August 16th, we renegotiated the total cost of the project to provide us with financial compensation for being almost two months overdue from the completion date. We also agreed upon a final completion date of noon on Saturday August 24th. In order to get that date completed, the liner, equipment, plumbing, and water needed to be worked on the entire week. NOTHING happened all week long. Some of that was due to partial rainy days, but we continued to agree that all could be done on time with the concrete pour being the final steps on Monday August 26th. September 27th......that's right, it's now another month and a total of 24 weeks, and there is equipment installed but still no lights. We told Vance that he and his company are no longer authorized on our property. We hired a professional pool company to come out and inspect and finish the job and quality if definitely a concern now. The sand filter is rated too small for our pool. The salt generator is rated too small for our pool. We have a complete Hayward system, but Vance provided a different brand salt generator that does not communicate with the other Hayward parts. Vance told us afterwards that he didn't even know how the Hayward equipment worked which has become obvious. Our new contractor took 5 minutes to re-program the filter pump to run correctly. The liner has already started failing. The filter basket is broken. The cement walkway is only 2" thick in some areas with the stone fill and cracking after a week and a half. He even installed stainless steel handrails and ladders for a salt water pool so those will corrode. The heat pump does not have the proper zinc protectors installed to keep the salt from ruining it. The electrical also does not have any of the proper relays either nor is the ground wire buried. The lights that he was going to install are undersized for the pool. He also never had the inspections for rough electrical and plumbing done. It's going to cost us an extra $10,000 at least for us to correct the issues with the quality of the pool. That does not include the extra money we have to spend to repair the dog fence his contractor broke and the flower bed retaining wood beams that his trucks drove over and broke. Vance Biengardo and Express Pool Builders has only demonstrated fraudulent business practices towards honest and hardworking homeowners. Unfortunately, it appears that we are reduced to taking legal actions and discussing this series of events with the local district attorneys office in order to try and recoup our losses and protect others from this person defrauding other homeowners. People, if you care about your money, family, health stay as far away as possible from Vance Biengardo and Express Pool Builders. Don't believe his lies. Don't fall for a reduced cost. read more

STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!Do not use this company. Back on July 6,2018 Vance came and discussed having pool installed and agreed to have him install pool. Vance said the pool would be up and ready to swim in in 2 weeks. After waiting over a month to have installed. How does one who is suppose to be a professional and put pools in for a living put up a pool without having all the necessary parts at time of installation. I'm talking filter, vacuum hose salt water cell, etc... every reputable pool place has everything at time of installation. I cannot this is how he conducts his business. The pool has been up for over a month and still don't have vacuum hose, salt cell and Vance is now ignoring my calls. It is now Sept. 12,2018 and still waiting. August 4th the pool was finally installed with out filter. He says filter will be hooked up 8/5/18. Aug 10th I call and ask when is filter getting hooked up and Vance tells me he's waiting for a call about delivery. Are you kidding me?!?! Never had filter on hand. Lies, lies and more lies!!! Aug 14th I ask where is the filter? His response, it's in my driveway. Really?!?! 8/24 I text asking about vacuum hose and salt cell, his response was I'm sending someone over tomorrow to vacuum and add salt. No.... that's not what I asked. Sept 1st he says salt cell still not in and he will get hose locally. He has not responded to me in two days. This is what you get when you have someone you have known over 20 yrs treats you. read more

Express pools is by far the absolute best at what they do! Their customer service is professional, timely and efficient. I was having a very hard time with my pool filter, Vance came right out and even thou my filter was not functioning properly and needed parts he took time in helping me get it working enough to clean the pool and actually did most of the cleaning. He could have charged me for his time (over an hour and a half) but instead he refused to be compensated for his time. He saw I was struggling and he could have taken advantage of a single women who knows nothing about pool and yet he was extremely generous, understanding, helpful, professional and went above and beyond to help me have a clean pool for my kids that day. Vance continued to check in on me to see how the pool was doing and if I had any questions or needed help. His professional friendly crew came in replaced the parts and had my pool running in no time. I can't say enough about this company, they are truly amazing at what they do and customer service is exceptional. I will never use another company again Express pools has a lifelong client with me...you can't go wrong with this company. read more

See all

Express pool builders has done a great job. Really happy with the progress so far. The detail to design, electrical and plumbing has been impressive. Vance is going above and beyond to give us the best quality of work, and within our deadlines. read more

His teams completed work is 4 stars however I can't give him more than 3 stars due to the poor timeliness and work ethic. If you hire Vance make sure you get in writing the date of completion or you will be stuck waiting months like me. He comes up w more excuses than a kid trying to stay home from school. I hired for a liner mid April and it was installed mid June. If I had known I would have hired someone way more efficient. That said we are happy with the finished product. read more

Progress is happening on the completion. I feel confident the company is working well on our project.

6/17/2018 Worst experience with a contractor ever! (In ground pool install) I can't give him more than 1 star due to the poor timeliness and work ethic. Vance does not keep his word. You have to chase him to get him to work everyday and He never had a full crew. I dont think his installers knew what they were doing, They even walked on the vermiculite so the pool now has indents under the liner. The excavator hit the corner metal of the pool which is now uneven and my pavers sank which he said to wait til next year and he would handle the issue. He strung us along and never stuck to his word of fixing the problem. He told us to get someone to fix it and he would pay for it and that never happened, I'm still waiting for him to pay us. He likes to get paid but don't like to pay for his mistakes. No matter what price he says he can build your pool for DON'T do it. No low cost is worth all the aggravation you will go thru trying to get your project done with Vance. You will be stuck waiting months like me and not happy at the end! He comes up with excuses and is a good story teller. If I had known what I know now I would have hired a reputable company. read more

I have filed charges against Vance and Express pool builders with the consumer protection agency for the terrible work he did installing the pool at my house. First off he was not even licensed for Rockland county. He filed for the permit under another company without letting us know. Much of the work had to be done over at least twice and still has to be done over again. Dealing with Vance Biengardo has been the worst experience of my life. Do yourself a favor and don't get involved with him. read more