1131 Little Magothy View, Annapolis Maryland 21409
Building an in-ground pool is one of the largest investments most homeowners can ever make, and overall, Wade Pools & Landscaping built me a beautiful pool that I truly enjoy. The finished product met my expectations, and my project manager, Andy, was outstanding throughout the project. Andy was attentive, thorough, genuinely cared about the project, and was always responsive to my questions and concerns. Most of Wade’s subcontractors also did quality work. However, there were significant problems during construction, startup, and owner education that future customers should be aware of.
The biggest disappointment was the concrete work. Wade had to replace the original concrete subcontractor and hire a new one. In my opinion, the replacement contractor was not thoroughly vetted. I also believe I was overcharged for the concrete deck. There were visible cracks in the concrete from the day it was poured. I brought the cracks to Wade’s attention, but no remediation was offered. In addition, the deck was graded so that rainwater drains directly toward my shed door instead of away from it. I believe a drain should have been installed to redirect the water, and this has become an ongoing concern.
Pool startup was also much rougher than it should have been. Several parts that were brought to the job site were never secured in a locked job box, and some went missing. For example, the antenna for my pool automation system was lost, so I still cannot use the mobile app to control my pool.
I also found the startup process and owner education lacking. Pool School provided very little practical information. No one showed me how to backwash the DE filter, vacuum the pool, or recommended an appropriate water test kit. The technician who was supposed to perform the final water balancing before turning the pool over to me did not and I have had to try to balance a new 22,000 gallon pool on my own.
The startup instructions for my Wet Edge finish, which are critical during the first 30 days, were not provided until several weeks after the pool was filled. Those instructions should have been given to me before startup began so they could be followed correctly from day one. Wade also did not know my pool’s volume in gallons, which is basic information needed for proper chemical dosing.
Fortunately, I have been able to learn through YouTube, ChatGPT, Facebook pool groups, and a lot of personal research, but I do not think customers should have to teach themselves the fundamentals of caring for a brand new pool.
If you are considering Wade Pools & Landscaping, I recommend asking detailed questions about exactly what is included in startup, how new pool owners will be trained, how equipment and parts will be secured and inventoried throughout construction, and who is responsible for ensuring the pool is properly balanced before it is turned over to you.
Despite these issues, I appreciate Andy’s professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication throughout the project. The pool itself turned out beautifully, and I believe Wade has the potential to provide an excellent customer experience if they improve their subcontractor oversight, startup procedures, owner education, and quality control.