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I too contracted Van Kirk to build my pool back in 2004. They broke ground on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and my yard was a debacle for that holiday weekend and for 6 more months to come. They were never on schedule accept when the salesman was on his way to pick up the check and have never dealt with such idiocies in my life. They ruined my fence and my drive way as well and were blatantly told that there was nothing that they could do because of the limited access to my house.
So right after they break ground they tell me my yard needs to be de-mucked. I live on the water (canal front) and they did know that my soil would have to be checked but didn’t disclose it to me prior to the start of the job because it would have been a deal breaker for me. They had already collected ($12K) payment and threatened that if I didn’t pay to de-muck ($5K) they wouldn’t be able complete the pool and therefore would loose my payment. So I have the yard de-mucked and they form the pool and tell me they are using the best material GUNITE and come to find out it’s not the best and that it’s a much cheaper material. So once the pool is in place the start putting their VK pavers and throws down the WORST diamond brite job I have ever seen. There were not only foot prints, but big trowel marks and pits all over the place and they did end up re-doing the diamond brite but it too was a terrible job and I too was just so tired of fighting with them that I just told them to move on.
First they install the Jandy remote inside my house and then they never run the electric to my spa and therefore the remote inside my house is no good. They come rip out the Jandy unit inside they don’t even patch the holes and tell me that they are giving me an upgrade to a pool remote. Yeah they are the worst! The remote didn’t even last (5) years and when I call them to have it replaced they tell me it cost $900 plus installation.
As for the shoddy equipment they use it’s true do not use Van Kirk to build your pool…you will be sorry. I have spent thousands more on a new remote, my salinity cell blew, my pump blew plus other things and every time I call them they give me the same song & dance. I’m sorry ma’am but that’s not warranted. I did report them to the BBB and never got anywhere with that either. Lastly after the $5K to have my yard de-mucked all my pavers are sinking and cracked and I called them within the last year and guess what they told me? I am sorry ma’am but those are no longer under warranty. If you are thinking about getting a Van Kirk pool DON’T and if you like I will be glad to show you my pool and how it was the worst $50, 000 that I have ever spent.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
VAN KIRK & SONS SUCKS
VAN KIRK POOLS REALLY SUCK. THE WORST POOL COMPANY . DISAPPOINTED WANNABE POOL BUILDERS
VAN KIRK & SONS ARE THE WORST POOL BUILDERS IN FLORIDA.
Well. clearly you people seem to be the only ones who think that being as they were named one of the top 50 pool builders in the nation...
Well deserved, I do believe.
Yet they're the 32 BEST pool company in America?
Terrible company run by a terrible (business) person. Lied to me throughout the process. Trashed a rare tree we explicitely discussed saving on several occassions. As poster noted, expects significant payments ahead of performing work and then uses as leverage back on you. Overall terrible experience. Unfortunately, I think all the good reviews have started to sour since the founder of the company passed it down to his half-wit son.
###ed up company ... they don't return even phone calls ... Most probably the receptionist is blowing the manager all the time and don't have time to answer the phone or return the phone calls ... Company SUCKS
Van Kirk has the worst business ethics. We had a pool installed in 2007 and the salesman, Bob C., duped us. He suggested the salt system and we had the Jandy Aquapure 700 installed. After 1 yr. the pool pump breaks and we had to have Jandy install a new one. Then the sensor and the cheap plastic controls break off and we had to use pliers to turn the controls. Now, the salt cell is broken and we need to spend $1000. to get a new one. The expenses never end. We found out the system sold to us was discontinued and outdated. Also our pavers are a mess and now we have to get the pavers reinstalled. It's just one thing after another, and all I ever get from Van Kirk is "that's going to a $125. service call"! I will never recommend them to my friends, only to my enemies. Keep away from Van Kirk.
Yes I agree, terrible ethics. Once your pool is done - you're treated like garbage. We have had so many (legitimate) problems its amazing that this company gets away with installing products like this. I have had to fight tooth & nail for the things that needed replacement and because they are so useless & rude eventually I gave up. I thought Bobby, the owner, was such a cool guy at first but at one point he was so frustrated w me, that he blasted me, screaming, yelling & cursing like a maniac, accusing me of neglecting my pool - I was in awe of his tasteless behavior that my husband had to step in. Eventually the owner replaced what he was suppose to but that just shows you how pathetic the owner can be. To make matters worse, he didn't even apologize for his immature act! This was just one incident out of many. People warned me but I just didn't believe it. The equipment is poor... My waterfall light doesn't work & when it did work, it never changed properly - same thing with the pool light. The plastic pvc handles on the pool equipment, have broken off. The pool had a leak after they first finished it, yeah, they fixed it reluctathatntly but now the finish that I paid extra for, is faded with white patches. My pool cost $40 grand plus & its annoying that so much has gone wrong. I have spoken to so many people, and i have yet to find anyone that was happy with this company - it shocking that they are still in business especially in this economy, Good luck to them because if they don't change their ways - its a matter of time before they fold. In this economy nobody's sage and therefore, they should be kissing their customers ###. I would never recommend them to anyone!
VanKirk is the worst. I thought that they were ethical, as I had them as a client for years. Tim VanKirk doesn't hold his people accountable. Solma (?) either doesn't know her company's policies or is a flat out liar. They lie about their subs & blame them when problems occur. I should have known when the pool was initially put in & the bricks that were the coping were put in unevenly. Then, immediately, the pavers started to crack. Within 2 yrs, the salt chlorinator went. I had to contact the company that manufactured it to get it fixed. A yr later it broke for good. Suddenly, VanKirk no longer did business with them. 8 yrs now since I had the pool put in. It's been leaking, slowly, for almost 2 yrs. I paid VanKirk to come out & find out why. They never disclosed to me that they outsourced it. I had them (I thought VanKirk) come back out 3 Xs. It got worse instead of better. I was told it was at the main drain & had been repaired. Next thing I knew, the pool had drained to half full over night. Then, I was told that I'd have to pay their sub to have 3 leaks repaired. Now that I've paid, VanKirk claims that the co. repairing the leaks is, in fact, not a sub & they have nothing to do with them. Although, they are the same people that were sent here when I paid VanKirk. They are unethical & tell half truths. My last pool was there when the house was built (1978). I owned that house for 13 years. Never had an issue. This pool I had installed 5 yrs after I bought the house. I've had nothing but problems.
The only reason your pool was perfect back in the 70s is because the dad owned the company then. The sons have taken over and they are idiots! Karma is a b****
Top 50 builder is based on permits pulled. Not on quality or customer satisfaction. It includes builder pools too.Nationwide pools was a top 50 before they ripped hundreds of people.
Jandy pool equipment is always breaking down. Especially the heaters. Jandy gives the pool companies big rebates . Thats why they use Jandy to benefit themselves not the consumer Sad but true.