Attorney General: South Jersey Pool Installation Company Didn't Finish the Job

An Atlantic County-based installer of in-ground pools stands accused of failing to complete work and not fixing its own substandard work and refunding customers, among other charges.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has filed a lawsuit against Hammonton-based Waterworld Fiber Glass Pools, Inc. and its Vice President, Donald Tallman.

“When Waterworld allegedly failed to perform the work consumers had paid for, many of those consumers lost more than their down payments. They also faced significant additional costs related to excavating huge holes and otherwise preparing for the installation of in-ground pools that never reached their homes,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.

Waterworld’s alleged failure to fulfill promises left customers facing significant costs and inconvenience.

Several consumers rented heavy equipment, had large holes excavated in their backyards, and obtained delivery of 60 to 80 tons of stone or gravel, all in preparation for the dates on which Waterworld had promised to deliver their pools, according to the DCA.

When the company allegedly failed to show up, they not only missed the dates, but they didn’t deliver any pool at all, according to the DCA.

Customers paid deposits ranging from $624 to $46,000, according to the DCA.

“Consumers should not have to fear being ripped off or abused when hiring a pool installation company or any other type of home improvement contractor,” Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Steve Lee said. “Through consumer education and enforcement actions, we are pursuing every action to ensure a fair and safe marketplace in the home improvement industry for New Jersey’s consumers.”

The State alleges that when Waterworld did arrive at customers’ homes, it often performed substandard work and then failed to make the necessary corrective repairs, even after the consumers demanded repairs. Examples include electrical work that failed three municipal inspections, installation of a pool that developed hairline cracks within a week of installation, and installation of pools in which the walls and floor became covered with white powder.

In other instances, Waterworld is accused of abandoning work without finishing it, and not returning for weeks or months. In some instances, they didn’t return at all, according to the DCA.

It also allegedly didn’t return phone calls from customers who attempted to contact Waterworld about its failure to perform contracted-for work, its performance of substandard work, or other complaints.

Businesses that install residential in-ground pools are required to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs as home improvement contractors, and to comply with the Contractors’ Registration Act and related regulations.

However, the Division of Consumer Affairs discovered that Waterworld allegedly submitted false information to the State in its March, 2014 application for the reinstatement of its home improvement contractor registration.

Waterworld’s application stated that the company had commercial general liability insurance, as required by law. However, the State learned that Waterworld’s insurance policy had expired, according to the DCA.

Waterworld also allegedly provided consumers with home improvement contracts that omitted information required by New Jersey law, such as a project’s start and/or completion date, a copy of the company’s general liability insurance certificate, and other required information.

The Division of Consumer Affairs has received 17 consumer complaints about Waterworld, which faces charges that it violated the Consumer Fraud Act, Contractors’ Registration Act, and related regulations.

A violation of the Consumer Fraud Act or the Contractors Registration Act carries a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for the initial violation, and up to $20,000 for each subsequent violation.