HOA Approaches Pool Guy: No, the Pleasure is All Mine

Jesse the Pool Guy

Chapter 9

By Bob Deakin

Community pools are managed by homeowners' associations (HOAs), and pool company employees must meet with them periodically. 

Jesse the pool guy has his stuff together. He tolerates irrational behavior on the part of HOA members and management companies, who glaringly demonstrate what happens when you have too much time on your hands.

HOAs are notoriously contentious among themselves and residents. Bring in a third-party hired to do work and look out. The HOA may deem your work insufficient, regardless of quality, and look forward to doing so.

When an HOA approaches a pool guy, it will be a good day or a bad day.

Nice to Meet You: No, the Pleasure is All Mine

No one talks like that except in old movies and public meetings. It’s usually a front for the opposite sentiment. Especially if the HOA doesn’t like the job the pool company is doing.

“Nice to meet you, Jesse. Why is the pool always turning green?” one of the association members asks.

“You need a new pump,” Jesse replies. “The current one is failing, and doesn’t move the water like it should.”

“We don't currently have the budget for a new one. Isn’t there another solution?”

“Unfortunately not,” Jesse replies. “In the long run, you’ll save money because we won’t have to make extra visits and use more chemicals.”

You’re Not Telling Us What We Want to Hear

Just then, Mr. Nelson, the HOA president, shows up. Notoriously grumpy and ignorant, he feels he can bully any contractor into doing what he wants. He’s from New York, as he reminds everyone.

“I don’t think your company is doing a sufficient cleaning,” he says. “We’ve been keeping track, and you’re here an hour each visit. You mean to tell me you can clean a thirty-five-thousand-gallon pool in an hour? You and what army?”

Jesse searches for a more polite way of saying 'believe it or not, douche bag.’

“An experienced service tech can certainly clean this pool by himself in less than an hour if everything is working correctly,” Jesse says respectfully.

Can You Turn the Pool Back to Blue?

“Can you come three times a week?” Alice, the HOA member asks?

That’s what she said, Jesse thinks to himself before suppressing the thought.

Stan, another HOA member asks, “How come you vacuum the pool but not the deck?”

Another advises Jesse that there is a magic chemical called a clarifier that clears pool water.

Jesse takes it all in, glancing at his phone to see how much longer this is going to go on. He just wants to check the chems, vac and brush the pool, and make the world a better place.

So, What Are You Going to Do Now?

It’s not Jesse’s job to talk a client into purchasing a new pump. He will have the service manager call and explain the situation and offer options. In the meantime, he agrees to stop by an extra time per week to keep the pool healthy for the residents.

“I don’t know whether to trust you or not, but you seem like a nice kid,” Mr. Nelson states. “However, I feel Smart Pools has dropped the ball in our service. If we have to close the pool again, there’s going to be trouble.”

Pass the Ball to the Service Manager

“What’s the purpose of an HOA?” Jesse asks Matt, his service manager. “Couldn’t one person do it?”

“No. It has to be a democracy of home owners," Matt explains. "No one wants to be in an HOA. You’re required by law to be an asshole. Whether or not you choose to be one is up to you.” 

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