Pool construction franchise Premier Pools & Spas has been receiving unwelcome press coverage in California.
In a recent story, ABC 7 News in San Francisco said Premier Pools has been accused of abandoning several construction projects in the area. Local residents had signed deals with Donald Boucher, who held a Premier license in Salida, Calif. Some residents claimed their pool projects had been abandoned for up to two years.
Paul Porter, president/CEO of Premier Franchise Management, which grants the franchises, said he removed Boucher as a franchisee in 2015, but that Boucher continued making deals to build the pools under the name Premier Backyard Pools & Design, Inc. Residents mistakenly believed they were still doing business with Premier Pools & Spas, Porter said. Premier Pools was not obligated to repair the problems, Porter said, but it sent one resident $25,000 worth of pool equipment and finished her pool. Porter knows of only one other resident who complained, regarding a warranty issue. Premier Pools fixed that problem as well, he said.
Porter claims that the Contractors Board did not remove Boucher’s license until December 2016.
