PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Every time Olympus Pools owner James Staten has been in court since his arrest, you’ll find Carmen Simpson there too.
She was one of the 140 customers that investigators say Staten took their money and didn’t finish their pool and said she is waiting for justice to be served.
“I think the whole case is disheartening for everybody. I don’t think there’s any winners in the whole case,” Simpson said.
“I wound up with a hole in the ground. I had to have another company come in to finish my pool.”
Simpson showed 10 Investigates photos of the hole, and she showed us the now finished project in 2024.
“I spent 8 years without a pool, just a hole in the ground, and it took a long time to get it finished,” Simpson said.
She said the trial has been a long time coming.
“It’s always going to be a sad story for me, but I have to move forward, and I hope to help rewrite legislation, laws for this and my real outcome from all of this is to hopefully change the laws in Florida,” Simpson said.
Laws could be changing thanks to Senate Bill 1262 introduced by Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills).
“I’m pretty proud of what we’ve put together, and I think that it definitely takes a stab at what we saw specifically in it when it relates to people who put down some very large deposits and never were delivered on their promise of a pool,” Burgess said.
The bill in part would require a contractor who has received money for the repair to work without unreasonable delay to complete the project after a specified timeframe and provide a schedule for completion of the project within a specified timeframe upon request, providing penalties, etc.
“That together gives the consumer the power and ability to ensure that those promises are delivered upon, and if they’re not, then they could seek remedy,” Burgess said.
Carmen said bill isn’t perfect and wishes it had more protections for homeowners taken advantage of by their contractor. Burgess said for now, this is a start.
“It’ll put more teeth into the process, more transparency into the process, more education for those who engage in the process. I do think that it’s a great step. We also must recognize, and this is the difficulty of legislating, right? Because you don’t want to create unintended consequences by what you’ve passed,” he said.
Carmen understands that and will continue to advocate and push for change as long as there are contractors turning homeowners’ dream projects into a nightmare.
“I’m hoping the legislators and Gov. DeSantis will open up their ears and help us because there’s thousands and thousands of homeowners that are victims,” she said. “I hope people know that having a pool in their dreams can come true. They just must be smart in doing it and not give up on their dream of that pool.”
If you have are looking to hire a contractor, here’s what the Better Business Bureau says:
1. Research and Verify:
- Check the contractor’s BBB profile: Look for reviews, ratings, and any complaints filed against the business.
- Verify licensing and insurance: Ensure the contractor has the necessary licenses and insurance to perform the work.
- Ask for references: Contact previous clients for their experiences.
- Confirm permits: Ensure the contractor can obtain the required permits for the job.
2. Get Multiple Quotes:
- Obtain at least three quotes: This helps you compare prices, services, and timelines.
- Review quotes carefully: Pay close attention to the details, including materials, labor, and warranties.
3. Avoid Red Flags:
- High-pressure sales tactics: Be wary of contractors who pressure you into signing a contract quickly.
- Cash-only deals: This could be a sign of an untrustworthy business.
- Unrealistic promises or low prices: A contractor promising amazing results at too low of a price could be a scam.
- Difficulty getting a response or timely follow up: If a contractor is hard to get in touch with, it’s a red flag
- Poor or non-existent record of completing work: A contractor with a lot of complaints or no previous jobs should be avoided
4. Contract and Payment:
- Get everything in writing: A clear contract outlining the scope of work, materials, timeline, and payment schedule is essential.
- Stagger payments: Never pay the total project cost upfront; stagger payments as the work progresses, ensuring quality before releasing the next payment.
- Be realistic about timelines: Delays can occur, so be prepared to adjust your plans if needed.
- Negotiate a fair price: Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price if the quotes are too high.
- Don’t pay in full before work is done: Pay in stages as the work progresses and is verified as completed to your satisfaction.
- Check out tips from the BBB on how to price contracts with any contractor, so that you’re not paying the bulk of your money upfront.
Make sure to look up the contractor’s license number on Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation website to see if it’s current and whether any customers have reported any complaints.
If you wish to file a complaint against a contractor, you may contact the Department of Business & Professional Regulation online or by phone at (850) 487-1395. Additionally, you should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online or by phone toll-free at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
You may also file a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which acts as the State’s consumer complaint clearinghouse.
Check if your county has a Consumer Protection Services unit if the job isn’t going the way you planned.