GILBERT, Ariz. (AZFamily) — When Brandon Mader and his family step into their backyard, a giant concrete hole greets them. And this situation has continued for three years.
“Well, this was supposed to be your paradise,” On Your Side’s Gary Harper told Mader. Mader replied: I call it a pool-like bunker. ”
Mader hired a company called Unity Pools, owned by Travis Scott.
At the time, Mader said, Scott bragged about being a talented pool builder and gloated about other things.
“Did he sell himself as a big star in the NFL?” Harper asked. “Yeah, I mean, he certainly talked about it a lot,” Mader replied. I remember looking up at him when I opened the door. I mean, he’s just a great guy. ”
According to the contract, Scott agreed to build a muder’s pool, fire pit and other amenities for $138,000.
But before starting the project, Scott asked for and received $40,000 upfront.
Some progress was made with respect to the pool, and over several months Mr. Mader eventually gave Mr. Scott a series of checks totaling about $125,000.
At this point, Mader said, 90 percent of the project was paid in full, but only 50 percent of the work was completed by the time Scott stopped showing up.
“You know, he bragged about being an honest person. He has an integrity tattoo on his chest. Maybe he should remove it,” Mader said. said.
And Mader is not the only victim. Blake Carbonatto told On Your Side that Unity Pools and Scott also abandoned his pool project. “I think he knows exactly what he’s doing,” Carbonatto said.
Mr. Mader said he wrote checks totaling $223,000, but after 50 percent of the project was completed, Mr. Scott stopped showing up. “We met about 24 other families who had similar experiences to ours.”
He’s right. In fact, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors revoked Unity Pools’ license after receiving 15 complaints from consumers. And those are just the homeowners who have filed formal complaints.
In addition, Scott has filed four lawsuits over his pool-related antics.
I went to Scott Gilbert’s home looking for answers, but he was not home. “It’s very important that he called me and said that a lot of people paid him to build a pool and he never finished it,” Harper told Scott’s wife. Because that’s what I’m saying.” Is he recording me? ” she asked about our camera. Harper replied: “Oh, I’m doing a news report, so it’s very important that he calls me.”
Well, five minutes later, guess who called? Scott.
“You’re a man of integrity,” Harper told him. “You have a tattoo on your chest, but I don’t see any integrity. You stole people’s money and you didn’t finish the job.”
Scott had nothing to say and hung up. However, On Your Side has now discovered that a new pool company called Swell Builders has been set up, which is not licensed.
According to his website, potential customers must choose how much they want to pay Scott to build their pool.
Mader said: “Actually, I didn’t know anything about him. The guy has all my money and I’m at his mercy. And there he gathers people. You get the money right away, making things seem like they’re moving forward and bouncing, and before you know it, you’re stuck.
Homeowners who file complaints with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors can get some, but not all, back from the agency’s recovery fund. However, there is a cap on the total amount paid by each licensed company, which has led to many complaints.
Scott and Unity Pools released the following statement to On Your Side:
Mr. Harper: Thank you for your comment. All construction projects Unity has worked on have been professionally carried out in accordance with the contract terms. Some customers have decided to terminate their contracts with Unity, and some have started legal proceedings. Unity vigorously disputes these claims. However, until those disputes are resolved, Unity will not be able to provide detailed comment.
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