TAMPA, Fla. — Money paid, projects unfinished: That’s the story 10 Investigates has heard repeatedly from customers of a local pool company.
Several people have asked for our help, and now our team has learned the state is involved. Customers say the company is leaving them with just a mess in their backyards.
“We searched with many different pool contractors and ended up on JE Clear Pools,” homeowner Chris Tontini said.
He says he went with the company because it's a Tampa Bay-area small business. Tontini shared the contract he signed with JE Clear Pools in June 2023, showing the initial project total would be $69,000. It included a breakdown, as well as payment due dates. He says he has paid $60,000 so far.
“He called [and] said that the concrete contractor was coming out the next day, but he was leaving town, so we needed the check today to pay him. I left the check for him. He came and got it. And about two hours later, I got a call from a check cashing store asking if I wrote a check to JE Clear Pools for $20,000,” Tontini said.
A receipt showed that the check was cashed, but then Tontini quickly learned the money never made it to the subcontractor.
“The concrete contractor showed up at our door a month later saying he wasn't paid and was going to put a lien on our house,” Tontini said.
He says after pressuring the owner of JE Clear Pools, the contractor was eventually paid. However, nothing else has been done on his pool. Plumbing, heating, pavers, and the screen remain unfinished.
“It’s been a while. There's always excuses on why somebody can't come or what wasn't there. You know, there's always some kind of reason why he's not here,” Tontini said.
10 Investigates heard the same story repeatedly from viewers asking for help. They say JE Clear Pools took their money but didn't finish the job.
“The last time work was done on the pool was Sept. 24, 2023,” John Macaulay told 10 Investigates. “I'm left with an empty concrete shell and unfinished backyard project rift with safety hazards and dangers and a price tag of over $45,000 to finish it.”
Macaulay says he has paid JE Clear Pools over $87,000.
Some of the contracts 10 Investigates received date back to 2022. We also received a list of complaints from Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Services, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Attorney General’s Office regarding the company.
“I'm out $60,000 — it was my wife is beside herself about it. She's not, you know, why is this happening to us? Oh, my gosh, you know, we thought we did our due diligence. And, and you know, who has $60,000 to light a match to?” Tontini said.
Seeking answers, 10 Investigates contacted the owner, Jose Echavarria, who is listed as the salesperson on Tontini's contract. He declined an on-camera interview but told us over the phone that the company got behind on four to five homes and is still working on them. He also says that a lot of people owe money on their projects.
Tontini hopes the company comes through with what they were promised and paid for.
“If he sees this, it puts pressure on him, hopefully, he'll finish the pool. Hopefully, he'll make it right with everybody. If he doesn't, he's held accountable, because he can't keep doing this to families in the area, as I understand that he has a ton of permits out. And there's a lot of other people in the same boat as we are right now,” Tontini said.
Unfortunately, many people in the Tampa Bay area have paid for a project that a contractor never completed. In Florida, there is a program where you can apply and hopefully receive some of your funds back. It’s not a large amount but may be something to look into if you’ve gone to court against a contractor. Check out the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund.
As for JE Clear Pools, DBPR says their licensing board will be reviewing two open complaints against the company at their meeting on March 13-15.
You can learn more about how to file a complaint against a contractor and other resources by checking out this story.
This story came from a tip. If you want to share something with us and have our team check it out, you can email tips@10tampabay.com.