| Posted
4/21/2012
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Reviewed By:
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Quinn Waldron
Brooklyn
,NY
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Bottom Line:
We reside in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, CA. We learned of Paolo through business associates he had done work for. They spoke so highly of him, that we just had to meet him. We are SO glad that we did!
We had been working with an archit
Project Description & Comments:
We reside in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, CA. We learned of Paolo through business associates he had done work for. They spoke so highly of him, that we just had to meet him. We are SO glad that we did!
We had been working with an architect on the restoration plans of a historic property that we own in Pebble Beach, CA. The architect's ideas for the pool just didn't seem right to us. Though the original pool had been removed decades before, we wanted it back into the same area.
Not only did Paolo agree with us, he actually had images of the original pool in a book in his library. As it turned out, he is very well traveled. He had been to Spain countless times and has an innate understanding of the architecture and period details.
He commissioned custom ceramic tiles from Spain to match the period, but that are unique to us. He even turned us onto some vendors that made authentic fixtures for inside the house (hand painted ceramic sinks, lamps and iron work).
He charged us like an architect for the design and detail work that he performed. His work was always done when promised. He even hand drew some perspective drawings that were incredible in their detail.
Paolo worked well with our architect, even after the architect's initial refusal to "work with some pool guy." By the end of our project, they had developed a deep friendship & Paolo had earned his utmost respect. In fact they are working on a project together for another client, as a result of our insistence that he work with Paolo.
Paolo is highly organized, detailed and focused. He ensured that his subcontractors knew what was expected of them (in workmanship, specifications and even jobsite cleanliness!). He inspected their work as it progressed and made corrections to ensure that we had a flawless final product.
In retrospect, I cannot imagine pulling off out project without his insight, knowledge and resourcefulness. I also admired that he was dedicated to his family & refused to work (or his subcontractors) on weekends. "Everything needs balance" he used say, over & over about many facets of the project. The construction contract was "cost plus." After talking to some prior clients of his about my reservations of a cost plus contract, I learned that he is very dedicated to his clients. He shops for bargains, obtains the best value from the subcontractors and negotiated discounts from vendors (that he passed through to us). I found his honesty and loyalty very refreshing in today's business climate!
Paolo is now working on plans for the yard of our Coldwater Canyon home...
...AND WE CAN NOT WAIT!
Paolo is an artist who is passionate about his craft. He has elevated swimming pools to a fine work of art. I would recommend Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa without hesitation (and have). Paolo is expensive, but like the other reviews that I've read - TOTALLY WORTH IT!
Cost of Project:
$500,001 or more
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| Posted
4/21/2012
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Reviewed By:
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Samouel bernstein
Pebble Beach
,CA
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Bottom Line:
Paolo is an artist who is passionate about his craft. He has elevated swimming pools to a fine work
Project Description & Comments:
We reside in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, CA. We learned of Paolo through business associates he had done work for. They spoke so highly of him, that we just had to meet him. We are SO glad that we did!
We had been working with an architect on the restoration plans of a historic property that we own in Pebble Beach, CA. The architect's ideas for the pool just didn't seem right to us. Though the original pool had been removed decades before, we wanted it back into the same area.
Not only did Paolo agree with us, he actually had images of the original pool in a book in his library. As it turned out, he is very well traveled. He had been to Spain countless times and has an innate understanding of the architecture and period details.
He commissioned custom ceramic tiles from Spain to match the period, but that are unique to us. He even turned us onto some vendors that made authentic fixtures for inside the house (hand painted ceramic sinks, lamps and iron work).
He charged us like an architect for the design and detail work that he performed. His work was always done when promised. He even hand drew some perspective drawings that were incredible in their detail.
Paolo worked well with our architect, even after the architect's initial refusal to "work with some pool guy." By the end of our project, they had developed a deep friendship & Paolo had earned his utmost respect. In fact they are working on a project together for another client, as a result of our insistence that he work with Paolo.
Paolo is highly organized, detailed and focused. He ensured that his subcontractors knew what was expected of them (in workmanship, specifications and even jobsite cleanliness!). He inspected their work as it progressed and made corrections to ensure that we had a flawless final product.
In retrospect, I cannot imagine pulling off out project without his insight, knowledge and resourcefulness. I also admired that he was dedicated to his family & refused to work (or his subcontractors) on weekends. "Everything needs balance" he used say, over & over about many facets of the project. The construction contract was "cost plus." After talking to some prior clients of his about my reservations of a cost plus contract, I learned that he is very dedicated to his clients. He shops for bargains, obtains the best value from the subcontractors and negotiated discounts from vendors (that he passed through to us). I found his honesty and loyalty very refreshing in today's business climate!
Paolo is now working on plans for the yard of our Coldwater Canyon home...
...AND WE CAN NOT WAIT!
Cost of Project:
$500,001 or more
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| Posted
5/2/2012
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Reviewed By:
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Amber Busch
Beverly Hills
,CA
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Bottom Line:
A TOTAL PERFECTIONIST.. worth every red cent he pried from my hands! Molto Bellissimo, Paolo!
Project Description & Comments:
We had 4-5 local swimming pool contractors come out to the house. They all had wild ideas about our project, but none really "got it" as far as what we wanted.
I did some searching on-line and discovered Paolo Benedetti. It initially took a few days for him to get back to me, and I began to wonder. But, once we opened the lines of communication, he was prompt (unless I got an "out of town" message).
Unlike the pool companies that we had out to the house, Paolo wanted to charge me a fee just to meet - I was startled at first. I had read his reviews and knew that he was very talented. My husband pushed me into paying him to come and meet with us. Paolo set aside a whole day just for us. We had lunch together, and chatted the day away. We convinced him to spend the night so that we could treat him to dinner! By the end of the day we "just knew" he was right for us... it was like we had been friends for years.
Paolo was both erudite and enlightening. He is personable and intellectual - a classy guy. His knowledge of world history, architecture and swimming pool construction even amazed our engineer and architect.
Paolo created a design that encompassed everything that we imagined - and many things that we had never thought of. We wanted a fire feature... but Paolo insisted that it be BOTH functional and visually pleasing. NOW - we are so glad that we listened to him. We would of only had a visual effect - not one of warmth and companionship.
At first we had a difficult time mentally getting over the cost projections - in hindsight, he was very realistic, accurate and the specifications were warranted. When we asked, he explained why things were done a certain way and why that made it more expensive. He always took the high road, to ensure that our project will retain it's "like new" appearance. It has been 3 years now, and things still look great.
No matter where we turned in the project, I knew if I asked Paolo his design opinion that he'd have one. And 99.999% of the time they were RIGHT ON THE MONEY! Our architect was dumbfounded by Paolo's innate design instincts.
We paid a lot more for our project than if we had hired someone from the Los Angeles area. I am SO GLAD that I got my husband to brake loose with the extra money. A travel budget in a swimming pool construction project is unheard of... but I cannot imagine there being anyone else on the planet who could do what Paolo did.
And the best part is, that we get to enjoy and admire the results everyday! And like the other reviews, we also actually have a new friend - the aquatic artisan Paolo Benedetti!
Cost of Project:
$500,001 or more
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| Posted
5/10/2012
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Reviewed By:
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Amber Busch
Beverly Hills
,CA
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Bottom Line:
After the "sticker shock," we came to realize that there are artists in the pool construction world!
Project Description & Comments:
previously submitted
Cost of Project:
$500,001 or more
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| Posted
7/2/2013
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Reviewed By:
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Brad Jefferson
Fayette
,MI
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Bottom Line:
Paolo Benedetti is a true genius. Other companies are merely contractors or builder, but Paolo is the Leonardo Di Vinci of swimming pools. He should be your ONLY CHOICE for any high end swimming pool or fountain.
Project Description & Comments:
We were referred to Paolo Benedetti by our architect, who had worked with Paolo on a couple of prior project. He spoke very highly of him.
Paolo operated just like our architect, a professional who values his time (and ours). He charged us for travel, meetings and hourly for the design work that his firm performed. They left no stone unturned when developing our plans.
We chose to take Paolo's plans and put them out to bid. He said that if we went that route, that he would not be interested in consulting if required. He "did not to have to teach another pool builder how to do their job."
Once we got started with a local and highly regarded swimming pool contractor (one highly rated here in the Franklin Report), we quickly realized that he was all "smoke and mirrors." That builder was creative, but did not know what he was talking about. He was proposing technologies that were antiquated and outdated.
We fired that contractor after the foundations were in and negotiated with Paolo to finish the project. We should have bit the bullet and hired him to begin with. While we spent a lot more money that we had planned, we got every penny back in value.
Our Vanishing edge pool is spectacular. It is flawless! The custom blend of glass tiles that Paolo created made our project a true "one of a kind."
Remember that old commercial, "you can pat me now, or you can pay me later" ? It's only money... and for the extra dollars we spent, we experienced no arguing, stress or headaches.
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| Posted
8/20/2015
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Reviewed By:
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Henry Hill
Beverly Hills
,CA
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Bottom Line:
Absolute delight to work with. If you hire anyone else YOU ARE A FOOL!
Project Description & Comments:
I was the General Contractor on a project where the client brought in their own "pool guy." I was not excited about working with a new subcontractor, let alone a swimming pool contractor who would not be reporting to me. I have found swimming pool contractors to be the biggest a PITA of any trades.
WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR! Paolo Benedetti was remarkable. I cannot say enough about his professionalism. At our project team meetings, when he spoke up, it was always constructive. When he noted something that was not being done correctly, he pointed it out to ME. He allowed me to maintain control over my direct reports, while being an extra set of eyes.
I found that he rarely opened his mouth without first doing his homework, He always knew the proper building code or trade & workmanship standard that applied.
I found his attention to detail refreshing, in today's "who cares" world. He exhibited a level of execution and expertize not found in today's society. He REALLY CARED! BRAVO!
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