​This is my personal account of working with Right Choice Pools & Spas, Inc., operated by Matt Barrass in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida.

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When we signed a contract for a $74,990 pool, the first red flag was how aggressively Matt pushed us to sign. He insisted on coming over immediately, filling out paperwork, and pressuring us into commitment. Although he claims to have built hundreds of pools, his contracts are filled with specifications that are impossible to meet. This tactic allows him to present artificially low bids, only to introduce change orders later—forcing customers to pay significantly more.

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Two months passed with no design, no plans, no permit, and no work performed. Instead, we were subjected to a material selection meeting in their RV, presented with a limited and overpriced selection, and pressured into an $8,500 change order before construction had even started.

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Despite claiming to be an experienced company, it took seven months just to prepare plans for the permit process. When piling work began, we repeatedly asked the company to visit the site to confirm placement. Neither Matt nor his brother Chris (the company’s licensed qualifier) ever appeared. The pilings were placed incorrectly and had to be redone at significant cost—before excavation had even started.

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Nine months after signing, and after the company had collected $34,750 from us, excavation finally began. The subcontractor dug the pool too close to the house and failed to shore it correctly, which caused serious structural issues when our contractor poured the foundation. Again, we faced thousands of dollars in damages, with no accountability from Right Choice Pools. We later discovered that work was started without a permit.

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This company appears to function as little more than a middleman. They subcontract all work, provide no supervision, and take no responsibility. The pattern is simple: lock customers into a contract, collect as much money as possible, and then leave them with delays, defective work, and endless change orders.

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Shortly after excavation, we were presented with yet another change order—this time for $14,485. When I refused to approve it, citing that the contract requires mutual agreement, I received aggressive threats from Matt and his office, including suspension of work and warnings of a lien on our property. For example, here is an excerpt of the correspondence I received:

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“What are you talking about? It's not approved.
The signed contract & the signed proposal are very clear.
We have attached & highlighted the areas of the contract & proposal that clearly show these items.
Please read your contract & your proposal specifications. This is listed everywhere.
… If you are refusing to pay that's a big problem.
I cancelled your steel delivery order for today.
 

Please make payment today or we will have no choice but to suspend the project due to non payment.”
— Matt @ RCP

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When I did not submit payment, the threats escalated:

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“Hello,
We have not heard back from you.
If you are refusing to pay as per the terms of the contract we will have no choice but to put a lien on the property due to non payment.”
— Right Choice Pools & Spas, Inc. “Customer Service Department”

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For the record, under Florida law, a lien cannot be filed for nonpayment of an unapproved change order. These statements demonstrate the intimidation tactics they use to pressure customers into paying for charges they did not agree to.

Even their marketing slogans, presented in large fonts in the proposal, are misleading:

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1. “If We’re Not Working, You’re Not Paying.”
   — False. They held $34,750 of my money for months with no work being done.

2. “Did you know most pool companies have 70% of your money by week #3?”
   — In reality, Right Choice Pools holds customer funds for months, sometimes years, without completing the project.

3. “Approximately 24 weeks for Construction Time (Starts at Day of Dig).”
   — My project was still stalled after many months.

4. “Engineering Takes Approximately 3 to 4 Weeks.”
   — My engineering process took seven months.

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These slogans are used to project credibility, but in practice they mislead customers.

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After enduring months of delays, poor workmanship, additional expenses, and constant pressure for more money, we were forced to hire an attorney. Only then did we learn that many others in South Florida have experienced the same treatment. Public records, including BBB complaints and lawsuits, reveal a long history of disputes, lawsuits, and complaints against Right Choice Pools & Spas.

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Based on my experience and the extensive documented history, I believe Right Choice Pools & Spas, Inc. operates in a predatory and deceptive manner. They should not be allowed to continue doing business in Florida. I am sharing my story in hopes that it prevents others from becoming victims

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J Fitzpatrick

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