CM Pools was hired to do a complete pool remodel and replace brick pavers with travertine around the pool deck. Pros: 1) Entire project was completed in 10 weeks. 2) Overall remodel and look of the pool is what we wanted. 3) Communication was good until the final payment was made. 4) The glass tile installer (Jaxson) was great and did an excellent job. Cons: 1) We were not given a layout rendering at the start of the project. We were initially provided with another clients drawings, and our request for a layout rendering was only met with a sketch after we refused to sign the contract without one. 2) The estimate did not account for the adjustment of brick to travertine under our existing pool cage. They wanted to charge extra, which we refused to pay since nothing had structurally changed from when they came to give the estimate. In compromise, the brick pavers directly under the cage remained and I personally painted them at my expense. 3) Pool pump was not included in the estimate as I was initially told and was an additional $1800. 4) The pool company sent an electrician out to quote wiring for a heat pump, but a quote was never given. We had to personally hire another electrician. 5) There were 2 crews to remove brick pavers and install the travertine. The first crew was great and removed all of the brick pavers in a day. They never returned. After 2 weeks, CM did bring in another crew. This crew was much slower, smoked pot all day, everyday, and spent a good portion of their time fishing from our dock (as seen in the photo). 6) The installed travertine looked good, only the crew did not sand between most of the joints. The project manager stated that there was no need for the pavers to be sanded and that having no sand helps with water drainage. At my insistence, the manager came to do it himself, yet many joints remained unfilled. The gap pictures shown were taken after the project manager did his sanding. I then took 2 days and sanded the pool deck myself. 7) CM Pools does not seal travertine and they do not recommend doing so. Especially with the oyster - colored travertine, it definitely needs to be sealed as a green tinge starts to form right after the first rain. We spent a day cleaning and sealing the travertine a month after it was installed, using a specific travertine sealer. MUCH better! 8) CM Pools offer a month of pool cleanings once the project is complete and a "pool school" to teach pool chemistry, etc. We made the mistake of paying our final payment before the final pool cleaning. Our texts/calls went unanswered after that. We did not receive the final pool cleaning and there was definitely no "pool school." The pool tech called and said they were busy with other cleanings and if we had any questions to call them. read more