Initial start of the pool build was great. After a couple weeks Steve was a ghost. Things are still left un-done and all the electrical had to be redone by a licensed electrician. Ken Kershaw is a shady want to be electrician. Turn and run from this company.
The in ground pool work itself was great. After that everything went fine hill fast
11 months later
The pool work is incomplete the chemicals, electrical the cover the solar cover the ladder the gratto
The pool Heater
All still Incomplete Steve Brown talks a good talk. But does not keep his promises nor does he keep his appointments
He just does not show up no phone call no email
But will come ask for more money saying he will get this etc. and than again
Takes your money and runs
He had three pool jobs in a brand new community in Hanover, Pa
No one knew each other. But they all do now and all had same issues
All are going to court
Took our money and ran
I will add some more photos
11 months later
The pool work is incomplete the chemicals, electrical the cover the solar cover the ladder the gratto
The pool Heater
All still Incomplete Steve Brown talks a good talk. But does not keep his promises nor does he keep his appointments
He just does not show up no phone call no email
But will come ask for more money saying he will get this etc. and than again
Takes your money and runs
He had three pool jobs in a brand new community in Hanover, Pa
No one knew each other. But they all do now and all had same issues
All are going to court
Took our money and ran
I will add some more photos
Please find another company if you wish to have quality pool work done. unfortunately, Google didn't allow me to give zero stars.
I had Afford a Pools install new coping and tile in my pool/spa last year. A job that should have taken a few weeks lasted 5 months. The owner, Steve Brown, utilized workers from other pool companies (Woodbridge was one) when they were free. The project started one weekend and it looked like they would be done in a timely fashion. I didn't see anyone for another week, at times two weeks. I'd get a message that they'd be here "tomorrow" and no one would show up. this happened multiple times as he is totally at the mercy of these workers her borrows from other companies.
My pool area was a mess. clean up was pathetic. It took several weeks after the job was "completed" before everything was removed from my property.
In the end, the spillway had major problems as the pictures show. First, the coping is not aligned. One end extended farther than the other over the spillway. the overhang on the coping was also grossly off. The most glaring error was that they laid coping that should have not been "end" coping on the end of the spillway. There are cemented numbers imprinted on these pieces, like a serial number. no reputable pool company or landscape company would do this. two separate landscape architects were shocked and said that it definitely not done to industry standards.
Despite multiple texts and phone calls from myself and a landscape architects since last summer (2024), he has never had the decency, respect, nor professionalism to return my calls, texts, or emails. Do yourself a favor and find any other company than this one to do your pool renovation/installation.
I had Afford a Pools install new coping and tile in my pool/spa last year. A job that should have taken a few weeks lasted 5 months. The owner, Steve Brown, utilized workers from other pool companies (Woodbridge was one) when they were free. The project started one weekend and it looked like they would be done in a timely fashion. I didn't see anyone for another week, at times two weeks. I'd get a message that they'd be here "tomorrow" and no one would show up. this happened multiple times as he is totally at the mercy of these workers her borrows from other companies.
My pool area was a mess. clean up was pathetic. It took several weeks after the job was "completed" before everything was removed from my property.
In the end, the spillway had major problems as the pictures show. First, the coping is not aligned. One end extended farther than the other over the spillway. the overhang on the coping was also grossly off. The most glaring error was that they laid coping that should have not been "end" coping on the end of the spillway. There are cemented numbers imprinted on these pieces, like a serial number. no reputable pool company or landscape company would do this. two separate landscape architects were shocked and said that it definitely not done to industry standards.
Despite multiple texts and phone calls from myself and a landscape architects since last summer (2024), he has never had the decency, respect, nor professionalism to return my calls, texts, or emails. Do yourself a favor and find any other company than this one to do your pool renovation/installation.
Our spa was probably the most researched purchase I have made in a long time. And after much review Afford A Pool & Spa can’t be beat in price and service. Steve is readily available via text or call (or even on site) during purchase and delivery. Also whenever I have a question, he is on the spot with a quick reply. Look no further. This is your choice.
Steve was good to work with and did not attempt to upsell us on things we didn’t need. The installation was smooth and timely for the most part and Steve kept in contact throughout the entirety of the project. In addition, he was responsive when we had questions or concerns, often stopping by our home vs calling. After reading tons of reviews about other people’s pool contractors, we feel lucky to have found Afford A Pool and Spa. They were local, affordable, and honest.
We are very pleased with our fiberglass pool and spa. We are looking forward to next summer!
We are very pleased with our fiberglass pool and spa. We are looking forward to next summer!
Thanks to Afford a pool and Spa for doing a complete makeover on our pool! They were very responsive and professional. Our pool looks great! I would recommend their services.
Steve and his team installed our inground pool 15 years ago and it still looks great. Steve has also opened and closed our pool every year since. Several of our neighbors have also used Steve to install their pools and are very happy. We all think Steve is a pleasure to work with.
This was a challenging job for sure. Originally, it was going to be just a liner replacement. Unfortunately, it turned out to be much more of a job. The ground water table where I live is about 4 feet deep making it extremely difficult to replace a liner. In addition the walls and bottom of the pool were oozing water. They were able to mitigate the situation and make good professional recommendations. I would definitely use them again and will likely use them to put in a new pool at my beach house.
The pool was dug incorrectly, their solution was a retaining wall which collapsed. They acknowledged their poor workmanship but do you think they stood behind it or fixed it? Pool still remains without a final inspection. Buyer beware!
Ken was doing the electrical work for my pool install from afford a pools and it is very poor. Leaving 2 main breaker panels completely open with wires hanging and breakers not fully connected for several days. Dropped a network server without asking for it to be move or telling anyone it was dropped. Stay away from this guy. I filed a claim with his insurance and provided pictures and a phone call that I had with Ken and it was denied.
The majority of the work performed was against code the 1st time and ever after given a second chance. Eventually fired Ken after he dropped and damaged a $4k server without asking to move or disconnect it and he did not even tell anyone. This can all be seen on the attached site.
Ken came out the same day I called. Fixed my electrical problem. Knows what he is doing. Reasonable rates. Highly recommend.
Very friendly and an honest guy! Ken is a real person who cares! Highly recommend!
Something so peaceful has not been such. 9 months later and we still are trying to get this project done.
The end goal was to have a beautiful outdoor oasis to retreat to after a long days work. The hustle and bustle of a typical work day does not end when trying to fight to keep things going with a pool build.
The purpose of this site is to capture my experience with this pool adventure so that you are better informed with detailed information in hopes that it will allow you to make a more informed decision on your pool builder.
The initial introduction to AffordAPools & Spa was very pleasant. Financing options were also streamlined. We met with Steve and Michael several times before making the decision to move forward. contracts were signed and things were underway.
The project began in late June 2024 and as of today the pool is not completed. By not completed I mean the following items are not completed:
- Electrical outlet at the pool pump panel. Aside from the outlet not being usable because of it’s location, it is not wired up. This has been fixed
- The entire pump system was never configured correctly. This leaves the heater and the over all function of the automatic pool cycles inoperable. – After spending time learning the system and doing a factory reset I managed to get some things working but the pump runs it own schedule and not controllable from the harward omni. A work in progress.
- Grotto does not fit the pool and must be taken out.
- Jump rock – because we now have to find someone who knows how to build grottos, I don’t want to have to match the jump rock
- No auto cleaning robot “Was included in the purchase” – Old/new robot was dropped off but no control unit. It did not even come in a box like it was some left over model. Not able to use the robot yet. The robot appears to be an old model Polaris EP3701.
- No chemicals for the pool. That’s right I had to put chemicals in the pool when it was filled initially.
- No skimmer net – Net, pole and brush were dropped off but will keep as spares since I already purchased my own. Can’t rely on others.
- No Winter cover – I’m told this will be done at the end of the season which is fine as it allows me time to get a proper grotto installed.
- No solar cover
- Sidewalk is broken from the equipment
- Left over concrete/tools in the yard
- Electrical from 100amp pool panel to main is against code. 2nd attempt to correct the electrical lead to the electrician dropping my server “breaking it” and denting a brand new freezer door. The solution to correct the elctrical is NOT legal again. I have kicked him off this site and will have this done on my own.
Last Updated 4/28/2025