Pioneer Family Pools

Our side of the story is quite different and that's why we got legal professionals involved.

To all those reading this review, please note that the matter between Pioneer Family Pools and Mr. Figen was settled on September 9th 2009. Both parties came to an agreement in which Mr. Figen and his lawyer provided a signed legal document relieving Pioneer Family Pools Markham of all liability and any further liabilities.

Unstable soil and a severe existing perched ground water issue within the region were the contributing factors that affected this project and as a result, we deemed the area unsafe to work or build a pool in. A report filed from an Engineering Consultant hired by Mr.Figen support these claims and ruled in our favor.

It's unfortunate that anyone should have to deal with such a nightmare, but in some cases circumstances do arise that are completely out of anyone's control.

I have purchased a pool from this company in April 2009. The construction started in May 18, 2009 however halfway into the construction one side of the pool sunk and concrete at the bottom of the cracked. The pool company is claiming the reason is due to the soil conditions and a pool cannot be built. However I have an engineering report and many other opinions from other pool companies, stating the reason for the collapse is due to the fact that Pioneer damaged an active weeping tile during excavation and never repaired it. I have pictures during excavation and during the construction of the pool. There was no water or any abnormalities until it rained. The side of the pool away from the damaged weeping tile is still standing perfect, not moved an inch. It's been over 2 months since the construction started and Pioneer is not willing to fix or refund my money. They damaged my existing interlocks and my second floor deck. My back yard is a safety hazard for my kids and my neighbors. The worst part is I made the mistake of allowing them to arrange the loan for the pool on my behalf and they got paid for 100% of the cost of the pool before the construction even started. The contract clearly states that I was to pay them 20% as a deposit, 50% when the walls are up, 20% when the liner goes in and 10% upon completion. Since the liner never went in I asked for my 30% back and they refused. Now the lawyers are involved and are trying to resolve this mess.
Their claim is the soil is bad. However I believe as a professional pool company they should have tested the soil before the construction began. It is very unprofessional to start the construction and blame the soil when something goes wrong. If the soil is bad then why the other side of the pool is still standing after 2 months. I have pictures taken stage by stage. I even have pictures to prove they continued work when they knew the pool was sinking. They backfilled the X-Braces with sand even though they informed me the one of the pool had sunk oven an inch. They said it was normal for a pool to shift few inches.
I have engineering report from Arcon Engineering indicating the active weeping tile should have been fixed before any work continued and "The assertion by the pool builder, after the fact, that the soil was not suitable for a pool is the sole responsibility of the pool builder. They should have retained a Soils Consultant to advise if the soil was acceptable before they ever started to construct the pool."
I have pictures and the complete soil engineer report to anyone who is looking to get a pool. You can contact me at canfig72@hotmail.com. Don't make the same mistakes I made. Not every Pioneer is same. They are franchise and independantly owned. Do your research. Contact me if you do not want to be in the same situation.