Down to Earth Gunite review: Fraud, Dishonest, Filing false documentation, failure to complete work and taking money 42

I am in the process of having a pool built by this company, and my experience is that they deliver to the terms of their agreement, they do not ask for money for work that has not been completed, and I cannot imagine why the person who sent this complaint came to the conclusion that they were operating under a "dead man's" license. In fact there was another person's name listed on the license and there was some sort of a disagreement between that person and the company, but my extensive research shows that the person named on that license is in fact alive and well and running a pool company in Central Florida. Down to Earth Gunite Pools clearly identified this person when I signed a contract with them, and when that person removed themselves from the license, this company contacted me to inform me of the situation, they obtained a license in the name of the owner of the company (which I have verified) and I signed documents to transfer the job to the new licensee (which by the way is the current owner of the company). As for fraud, there is no fraud happening here. This company is doing their absolute best to do the right thing for their customers. While the person who filed the complaint may have been subject to construction delays, that is pretty much a fact of life with ANY construction project. This company has NEVER asked me for more money than what they were entitled to, and they have been nothing but honest and up front with notifying me of delays that were beyond their control, and providing updates on how those delays would affect the schedule that we had tentatively agreed to.

In this day and age of corporate failures, stock market declines, and an overall down economy, I can't imagine why anyone why anyone would be so harsh on a company that is absolutely doing their best to meet their commitments.

We contracted to have our pool built on June 1st with a 30 day guarantee on completion date. They are a terrible company to deal with, won't return calls for weeks on end and anyone thinking of using them should forget it.

We are filing a lawsuit.

Forgot to mention - the pool is still not finished!

This is a terrible company to deal with. We contracted on 5/29/08. Still is not finished, no work performed since 9/11/08. The problems we had are too numerous to list here, but just to name a few- we were threated with a lien by a supplier as they hadn't paid the bill(after we had paid for that part), the pool leaks, the deck is sinking and there is air in the plumbing system. They do not answer phone calls. Once they got the majority of our money, they pretty much disappeared. Luckily, having built a pool before, we knew exactly where we stood, and the pool needs a liitle work to be finished. We are applying for a bulder owner permit and completing the pool ourselves.(Palm Beach county allows that-not Broward though- you will have to hire a new contractor to finish your pool.) BTW, when we stopped in Palm Beach County permiting today, they told us there is a big ruckus concerning this company, they have had numerous complaints and to "expect to see them on the nightly news" soon. They are currently holding a temp. lic. that allows them to finish pools they started, but are not allowed any new permits at this time- so DO NOT sign a contract or give them any money as the permit could be delayed indefinately. YOU (not DTEG)will be fined by the county if the work on an oustanding permit is not completed in 6 mos. Please call Palm Beach County Permiting offices to verify this info. if your in doubt- don't lose your money!

Warning to Bob- I don't know what stage your pool is at, but if you don't understand Florida Lien Laws, please educate yourself- sub-contractors and suppliers have 45 days after work/supplies are complete to notify you of an impending lien. At the time the original lic. was pulled, DTEG had about 20 incomplete pools in PBC- some had had no work completed in over 100 days- those pools under the old lic # are still incomplete. After your 2nd large payment, expect work to really slow down on your pool.

I heard from someone in the business that the person with the original lic. is alive, but relinquished it due to complaints and pending lawsuits. He didn't want to be connected to it and held liable.

I hear they are not paying their employees and they have 70 very unhappy people with unfinished pools.

Contact the Attorney General's office
http://myfloridalegal.com/

I suspect that "George Carr" is most likely an employee of the company and not an actual customer.

This company is good for one thing...broken promises.

Do not sign with this company. If you have already signed with them, instead of paying them pay your money directly to the suppliers and sub-contractors.

I understand they have had "problems" but that doesn't account for them dodging phone calls and being dishonest.

Every complaint I've read about this company is ABSOLUTELY TRUE! We signed May 29th. We paid 95% of the payments months ago and they dropped off the face of the earth. We don't have any money to complete the pool ourselves. They don't answer their phone. They don't return messages. Finally, after speaking to someone after 2.5 months, they tell you to call back next week for status. Four weeks later... we still have no backyard. George Carr... you must have purchased an expensive pool...

They are an awfull company to deal with, we have to complete the pool ourselves. If you are in the situation where they have not worked on your pool for 60 days, you can send them a certified letter giving them 30 days to commence work this is outlined in Florida Statutes 489.126 (4). After that you can refer the matter to the State Attorney.

IF everyone is experiencing the same situation - we can all join class action lawsuit.

Can you join a class action lawsuit with no $? Also, who exactly owns Extreme Gunite?

First off, I'd like to say that I totally agree with all of these complaints because I'm experiencing the same problems with Down to Earth Gunnite. I signed a contract on Feb. 14, 2008 to have a pool installed and the work didn't even begin until May. By July 4th, they were approximately 95% done, but haven't been back since then. I'm having problems with a sinking paver deck, non-working salt generator, an unfinished waterfall and no final inspection. I've called many, many times over the last 5 months to have them finish the job, but haven't gotten anywhere. Then this week I was told that they would not do anything else for me and that I needed to call the original license holder (Robert Milner), who isn't even affiliated with this company anymore. He left because of the bad business practices of Down to Earth Gunnite. This totally floored me because I've paid 100% of the contract price ($32, 000) to Down To Earth Gunnite (specifically to Eddie, owner) and now they have the audacity to not finish their contract agreement with me.

I've filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and am now in the process of pursuing legal action.

It's a shame that this company can't keep their end of the bargain, especially if they're paid in advance for it. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. My email is dlpcardio@bellsouth.net and I'd be more than happy to be part of a class action lawsuit.

BTW... their current ad says that they're BBB accredited, however when I filed with the complaint with the BBB the other day, I was told that they are not accredited.

I am George Carr, and I posted a positive comment about this company previously. I have since changed my mind, and now support some of the comments mentioned on this board. I am not nor ever have been a employee of this company, I am simply a consumer who was duped by the company. I purchased a pool in an attempt to support a local small business, and the result of this attempt will probably cost me over $20, 000.00 to have my pool finished. I apologize to the person who originally posted the message, but I still cannot use the word "fraud" as it relates to this company. I can say that they have not delivered on their promise, and I can say that they have received more money from me than the value of the work that I have received from them, but the word "fraud" is up to a court to decide. I too was promised a 30 day completion for my pool project, and here I am almost 5 months later, and my pool is still not complete. At this point would I reccomend this company, absolutely not.
George G Carr

George - Sorry to hear your misfortune. It appears that they have duped us all.

If anyone out there is still experiencing problems with Down to Earth Gunite Pools. Please email me your information - I need as much information you can formward. What stage your in, how much money they have taken and all your info.

Help is on the way!

RippedOffnFla@gmail.com

Things you can start to do on your own.

1) Save all your documention, take pictures and copies of paid checks.

Eddie Johnson is using a PO Box in Lantana which is not his working address. He is physically working out of a ft. Lauderdale office 1261 SW 41st Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317

2) File a complaint to the state licensing board in tallahasse
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/contact.html

3) File a complaint with the better business bureau
http://welcome.bbb.org/

4) Call and make sure all the sub contractors have been paid. If not they can put a lien on your house and you may have to pay them.

5) File a complaint building permit office. Broward /PBC http://www.broward.org/consumer/welcome.htm

Consumer Complaint form
http://www.broward.org/consumer/coi00301.pdf

Also check on your building permits. When are they set to expire? you can get fined for this, so make sure you contact them and explain what is happening.

Our lawyer sent this letter to their registered agent and also to their address in Lantana. (Florida Statutes 489.126). It makes the matter criminal and not civil, and in our situation forced Down To Earth pools to re-commence work on our pool.

Dear Mr.:

Please be advised that I am writing on behalf of Mrs. and Mr. and their recent dispute regarding the construction of their pool.
.
The have paid the majority of the contract price for the construction of their pool. It has been over three weeks that work has ceased on this project. Pursuant to Florida Statutes 489.126, we are hereby notifying Down to Earth Gunite Pools, LLC. that the monies paid were in excess of the work performed and the contractor must re-commence construction within thirty (30) days of mailing of the notification.

Please be advised that we are also mailing this notification to the address listed on the contract as per the statute.

Should Down to Earth Gunite Pools, LLC. fail to re-commence construction, then, a referral will be made to the appropriate authorities pursuant to Florida Statutes 489.126 (4).

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,

WOW. I feel for everyone here. I also was jerked around for several months. We signed our contract with Down to Earth Gunite Pools in May 2008 with a 30-day guarantee of completion. (unheard of for this type of business) Unlike most people here my pool was completed. My pool was filled on 11/04/2008. Now I borrowed the money from Lyons Financial for the pool but since DTEG took so long to complete the pool (over 90 days) my loan was closed out and full amount of loan was not dispersed. Leaving me with a nice chunk to pay out of pocket. I now have a lien on my property since final payment was never made and I cant get a hold of them since all their numbers are disconnected. I have not made final payment because 1-pool light does not work 2- Heater leaking 3-Diamond Brite is so rough we get cuts every time we get in the pool 3-sub-contractors have not been paid. Craftmanship is bad. Communication is terrible. I have called the city and I am contesting the lien. I have been asking to speak to Eddie (the owner of DTEG) for 6 months and he has never called back. I hope you are reading this Eddie, Kathy, Joe, Pete, Tony and everyone else at DTEG. These people need to have their pants sued off. Class action suit. Call the news, newspaper and/or BBB. This company sucks.

Post Pictures or videos of your unfinished pools on youtube.com Comment on DTEG's youtube commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIRtO1o0A8M

Get the word out.

They are now doing business as Hogan Concrete Cutting (Discount Pool Builder) . Same photos, address and bringing misery to anyone unfortunate enough to be sucked in.

We are mailing the complaint form to the State of Florida. We have also been in touch with Palm Beach County Financial Crimes Division and are expecting a call from a detective with that division. Please let us know if you would like to be mentioned in that complaint, as we were told this would be the way to go with this.

Mr. Barry Sexton is either misinformed or a shill for another pool company or worse is intentionally slandering my reputation and that of my pool company. Hogan Concrete Cutiing is a Florida Corproation that is owned by members of the Hogan family not anyone related to any other pool company. I point out intentional slander is subject to tort litigation. The defendant(s) in this type of lawsuit bears the burden of proof beyond a simple " it looks the same to me". I caution Mr Sexton to do your rersearch before you subject your family's fortune to an abundance of misfortune. Sincerely, F.X.Hogan, president HoganConcrete Cutting

How dare you try to deny it F.X. Hogan. Tony told us you were the new qualifier weeks ago! Don't try to separate yourself from them now. YOU should have done YOUR research and asked Mr Milner why he dropped them to begin with. Tell Eddie and Kathy to finish our pools properly, immediately, without liens and we'll go away quietly. He's got our money, don't forget about that!

Shame! How do you sleep at night Mr. FRANCIS XAVIER HOGAN? Knowing what you done to these people?

All I can say is that before paying Eddie for all of his equipment maybe you should have looked into what he has done. I gave him 27K so far for a nice pool which popped out of the ground after the storms in Aug due to there faulty work. Now I have hole in the gound at least they hauled the destroyed one away. But now I think it was just to get rid of evidence.

If anyone has made payment either at DTEG location in Ft. Lauderdale or in broward/ft. lauderdale county please conact me ASAP at:

RippedOffNFLA@gmail.com

how I can get in contact with any of you I have the same problem and still my pool isn't finish please call to [protected]

If anyone out there has not contacted anyone about their pool (or lack there of) situation yet, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and contact army. It's time. And if anyone is in Boynton Beach please contact me!

West Palm Beach Important Numbers

Departments to complain to:
Palm Beach County Public Affairs...[protected]
Palm Beach County Building Departrment...[protected]
Florida State Attorney...[protected]
Florida State Attorney General...[protected]
Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs...[protected]
Division of Consumer Services...[protected]
Florida Department of Business and Proffessional Regulation [protected]
Citizen Services [protected]

We were one of the first one to sign a contract with Eddie. We paid in full our pool is complete, with leaks. He has not paid the subs and now we have leins on our new home. Very sad situation. I would like to know what to do please email me if someone knows.

My name is Kevin McNamara and I am an attorney commencing suit against Mr. Johnson and his company DTEG. If anyone would like to participate or have your attorney work with me cooperatively, feel free to email me at klm@mcnamara-law.com

I can't believe what I'm reading! Eddie Johnson just left my house after a most interesting and very familiar (after reading all of these emails) pitch of my dream pool! My husband was ready to write him a check, but me the constant pessimist I decided to look him up. All I can say now is thank you to all of you who saved us with your warnings! I am sorry that he got so many people with his deceptions. I really hope you guys put this on the news and expose Eddie for the world to see. I can't believe he's not in jail. Good luck to you all and God Bless.

i signed a contract with down to earth gunite pool on july 15, 2008.at this time which is 10 months later and having given down to earth pool more than 95% of the money, i am still waiting to have my pool completed.my exspense continues to climb.i had to pay to have my irrigation system laid down again because during their excavation my entire system providing water to the back and side of my house was destroyed.the panels from my fence were taken down and the hardware that was removed was discarded.for all my hopes and dreams, i now only have a big hole in my back yard and a lot of doubts of where am i going to get the money from to complete the job that i paid down to earth gunite pool to do.i am feeling woefully lost and ill used.if anyone see a way of how to put an end to this nightmare, please feel free to share.

to whom ever it may concern ;
If Eddie Johnson is a dark olive skin brown hair brown eyes heavy set person around 24-26 year old chances are he is not Eddie Johnson chances are he is Brian Skeen who has done this scam for years .
He usually has an acomplias Richard Mcdonald who is a large Italian dark olive skin dark brown hair brown eyes scar on cheek.
They either find patsy's Or use aliases 1 of 3 things are happening here 1 Rich and Brian are up to there old tricks 2 some one else figured out there scam 3 your builder is in finance trouble . If This is the case you need to sit down with him collectively and see how you all can get through this together. how ever if this is not the case you are being ripped off, this is no longer civil it is criminal organized scheme to defraud 2nd degree felony mis appropiation of construction funds 3rd degree felony .
You need to all go to the police together and bring the news. these criminals need to be stopped!
Best of luck, if I can help let me Know.

WOW! I am not sure if any of you are still on here as the company has been gone for almost a year. How do I write you from yes up here in good 'ol New England?... write me back and I can tell you more! I don't want to blab and vent if nobody's listening! I do know exactly where his is and how to get in touch if you need that info! I hate being scamed and as the government won't do anything to stop these types of people... well then let's rally together and try to help ourselves! !

I do hope you all write in reply!
I tried to upload a picture to be sure we are talking of the same guy... but couldn't.

email me overtherainbow414@gmail.com

here is a photo... do you recognize?

try #2...

how do i pull up these pics you can reach me on my space artstone10@yahoo.com

Wow i guess i feel alittle better knowing i wasn't the only person to be taken for a ride now i get to deal with all the liens ... why aren't the officials taking care of the innocent tax payers who used an approved licensed fla contractor ? instead it seems the crooks are getting off way too easy...