Our pool was finished and filled back in April 2021. I don’t write reviews until I know I’m confident I got the right product and service originally promised. Today was just another reminder that Distinguished Pools knocked it out of the park. We have been enjoying our pool everyday. Whether that’s getting in, sitting by it or just admiring it from the window. Dan, his crew and all the folks he works with to accomplish every step of the job were nothing but stellar! Not only is the pool a work of art and functional, but the customer service Dan and his crew provide is just priceless. To this day, if I have a question I would call or text Distinguished Pools, 99.9% of the time I get an answer back the same day and within no more than 2 hours. They really go the extra mile to make sure you are confident in your multi-thousand dollar purchase. If you feel you have an issue they are willing to look in to it or just give you the info you need to continue to grow as a pool owner.

We researched a couple other pool building companies and I have to say that I am SO glad that we decided to go with Distinguished Pools. I have neighbors that have gone with other companies and they seem to have a few to several complaints about the build, the pool, and the communication.

As a new pool owner, a few recommendations.
1. If you can swing it, GET A POOL COVER! We got an automated pool cover and it was pricey. We have 2 young kids and we needed peace of mind about letting them play outside without worrying about any accident involving the pool. Now that was the only reason we got one, BUT man did we get more benefits from it! It keeps the pool warm, it keeps the water from evaporating (water conservation) and it helps keep the critters out!

2. Get the auto-fill; otherwise you will be filling it up very frequently. We don’t have to worry too much because of the POOL COVER, haha. But I would have loved the convenience of the built in auto fill. Not too big of a deal to go out turn on the faucet and let it run for a bit though.

3. Splurge for the mini pebble. It helps with traction, it extends the life of the plaster by like another 5-10 years, I believe it was, but the color makes a great view. Can be a little rough on the toes if you’ve been in for a long time, but eventually you don’t realize it any more.

4. Take advantage of their 1 month service after the pool is filled, get all the education you can from them to learn about your pool and how to take care of it. But you can always call and ask. We had gotten a different pool service because of location, but we’ve gone through 2 companies already because they weren’t tracking the chemicals properly. Liquid chlorine, no bueno for tile decor.

All in all, do your research on companies, but hands down…Distinguished Pools!
Forgot to mention, they provided us a paper that said to get other estimates! And References! What company does that?! A confident one.
Consumate Professionals.

After trying to work with a couple different companies who were unreliable, we found Distinguished Pools. Dan and his team did an awesome job. From coming up with the design through filling the pool, Dan kept us in the loop with every little detail. He was always available to answer our questions or help with any problems. We love our new pool and we use it almost daily. If you’re looking to get a pool built, Dan is your guy, no doubt about it!

Distinguished Pools designed and installed our lap pool (approx. 45’x10′) and hot tub (approx. internal dimensions 10′ x 10′). This was our first venture in home pools, so we required a knowledgeable and reputable company that could address our needs and assist us in making well-researched decisions. Additionally, we needed a company that could coordinate the pool infrastructure with our landscape architect. There is no doubt that we made the correct choice.
Dan Ramos, owner, was the exclusive contact for us from the very start. His 3D CAD program allowed us to visualize the various design ideas as we debated the style/features of the installation. This tool was invaluable.
The company handled every issue of construction: zoning, permits, coordinating with our landscape plans. Dan was the person on site, not a subordinate. The owner of the company has a vested interest in doing things right, and we were well served by this.
Although we do not currently use solar power, Dan set up our equipment so it can be easily adapted to incorporate solar at a later date.
After the project was finished, our questions or follow up needs were answered promptly.
It should be noted that Distinguished Pools’ all-in contract price was higher than the other “finalists” who bid on the project, but we are convinced that the quality of materials and service more than justifies the cost difference.

The owner of Distinguished Pools, Dan Ramos was our contact from beginning to end. He is the one that took our ideas and developed them into a visual concept that was exactly what we wanted. We entertained other bids that frankly didn’t listen to what we wanted the project to look like in the end. Distinguished stayed within budget, finished within the forecasted timeline and outlined each step and payment schedule along the way. If you are looking for one company to handle the whole project, this is the one. Any hick ups along the way, Dan and his crew addressed as if they owned it. Our project was a big one and involved 7,000 square feet of Travertine. The stone masons were masters. I can say that the before project picture looks exactly like the after project picture. Top notch workmanship and follow through.

Dan at Distinguished Pools designed and built a gorgeous custom pool and spa for us with all the latest equipment. We’ve heard lots of scary stories from neighbors who’ve built pools and are more grateful than ever for our experience with DP! We really trust Dan to always do the right thing and provide high quality work. He came highly recommended from our interior contractor who he built a pool for and he didn’t disappoint. He showed up when he said he would, his employees are true craftsman and were great to work with also. We wanted very low maintenance so he helped guide us to the best finish and equipment choices- we chose quartz and pebble and he selected top of the line equipment for us from Jandy. We ran into some problems along the way unrelated to Dan but he helped us problem solve and was flexible in dealing with them.

Distinguished pools came highly recommended by our home contractor, and after interviewing several other high end pool builders we selected them. Dan has a wealth of knowledge and really enjoys the creative process of designing just the right pool. He also seems has a lot of patience putting up with very particular people who ask way too many detailed questions, and try to deviate far from his thoughtful suggestions like I tend to do.

He provided good supervision of the project. A bit of some small tile setting seemed slightly off in a couple spots to me that others didn’t seem to notice and he was quick about getting it taken care of. I should have written this review a couple years ago. What finally pushed me was the continued expedient responsiveness and attentiveness to the project even 2 years later. We had a manufacturer defect cause a sensor fail and apparently the manufacturer did something that effected the color of our pebbletec over time, and we had a manufacturer defect in the lights. Each time his team have been very responsive, courteous and got someone out within a day or 2 and got it taken care of with no hassles, forms to fill or cost on our end. Awesome. Not the cheapest or most expensive, but well worth the money he charged

We used Distinguished Pools to renovate our 15 year old pool in the 4S Ranch area and to upgrade our backyard with travertine stone. This was approximately a $100k renovation including new stone coping, stone tile at the waterline, complete redo of the spa, new pool equipment and covering all of the cement with travertine. We worked directly with the owner, Dan, on the project. Dan has a no-nonsense, no pressure approach to his business. He did everything he said he was going to do and he did it on time and within the budget he quoted to us. When there was an unanticipated complication, he and his time followed up promptly. The project was completed earlier this year and he has had his guys back a couple of time for minor issues that were corrected. Our experience was Distinguished pools was as promised, on time and within budget. I would use the company again.

Dan & team built the backyard of our dreams. It is truly exceptional and is a constant source of pride and joy when we have friends and family visit. It’s not uncommon to have visitors take pictures outside with the pool, waterfalls & caves serving as an amazing tropical backdrop. I couldn’t be happier with the final product.

Dan is by far the best professional I’ve worked with. From day 1 when we were first accepting bids he stood apart from all of the others. I had seen Dan’s work on Houzz and was impressed with the interesting and different items he incorporated into his pools (e.g. Artificial tree branch swing hanging off a waterfall). He sat with us for 1hr and came back several days later with a complete 3D walkthrough of what our dream pool could look like. His prices were very completive and it was clear that he knew exactly what he was talking about. We were sold.

Dan was completely involved during the whole build out process often providing design guidance as well as walking us through each step of the build process. I found Dan to be very responsive to any questions or concerns that we had and always willing to think out of the box on how to solve problems. One thing that makes our pool very unique is a lumbung (Palapa) that juts out over the pool. We had shown Dan pictures of something similar we had seen in a Four Seasons in Bora Bora. Dan contacted an Indonesian company, had them spec out the Lumbung, build it and ship it to the US. It took quite a while to get to us but the final end product is just incredible. Just one example of how Dan was able to help us build our dream pool.

I highly recommend Distinguished Pools. If I was to do any work again on another Pool, Spa or backyard hardscape Dan would be the first one I would contact.

We were looking to have an in-ground in our back yard. We were fortunate to have Distinguished Pools do the work. From the start to project completion every member of the Distinguished Pools team made extordinaruy efforts to provide a quality product, on-time, and within budget. The owner Dan took the time to give us appreciated assistence in the selction of tile, heating and pump equipment that would meet our needs. The finished product is better than I expected

I would give Distinguished Pools my highest recommendations and I would use them again for future projects.

This is our first time ever building a pool from ground up. We had many resources to chose from when we started this project. A good friend referred Dan Ramos and his company Distinguished Pools saying he is accurate in his pricing, knowledgable and very helpful in helping design the perfect pool. Well, as we approach completion of our pool it is all True and the referral couldn’t have been more spot on. We are so pleased with Dan’s professional attitude and direction our backyard (pool) is exactly what we visioned.

There are many choices when making this decision and we are happy we made the right one.

Thank you Dan and Distinguished Pools!

We hired Distiguished Pools for a remodel/makeover. We were extremely pleased with the results and especially with the entire staff. The job was completed on time and the crew was very professional. I would recommend them and would use them again. After completion we were so impressed with the company that we switched to their monthly pool service and have been very satisfied with their service.

Dan Ramos and the Distinguished Pools team and subcontractors were fantastic! From conception of the pool/backyard project through completion it was an overall exceptional experience. We went to several pool companies in the San Diego/Poway area and Distinguished Pools was the most responsive. Here are some specifics:

Scope of Project: Remodel/renovation of a 50 year old pool and a major backyard renovation to include: tree removal, extensive concrete removal from backyard, yard leveling and drainage, location change of pool equipment, extensive stone work for deck, wall and pool, adding electrical service to areas, and a BBQ island with natural gas grill, burner and Green Egg.

Concept: We had approached two San Diego Pool companies for estimates and ideas prior to Distinguished Pools and we never received an estimate or return visit. When we approached Dan Ramos for an estimate and ideas for the project he came to the house, measured and inspected the existing pool and used the information to create a computer aided design of the property that could be manipulated to help us in the visualization of the full project, materials choices, lighting conditions, everything. While this was a $150 cost, it was worth so much more than that to be able to take project specifics and be able to see results visually. That cost was credited to the project. Worth every cent!

Savings: Dan worked closely with us to on all the details. Cost trade offs from what we thought we might want and the possibilities that newer construction techniques and methods could provide. While I know it likely impacted his bottom line, Dan’s suggestions and advice saved us tens of thousands of dollars on the overall project.

Demolition and Construction: Distinguished Pools staff and subcontractors were extremely professional. Due to COVID, I was working from home most of the time, so I could hear the morning safety briefs that the tree cutters gave their crews. The specifics of the day that the team leads gave to the other workers, the general courteousness that all of the worker provided. These were hands down some of the hardest working teams that I have seen for a long time!

Dan Ramos was here nearly daily to check on the project and provide any additional guidance. Dan also kept us well informed of delivery schedules, construction stages, and what to expect each step of the way.

It is always dirty and dusty, fact of life, be ready if you have a pool project. But the teams from Distinguished Pools did a great job of cleaning up on a daily basis.

Project Invoicing and Billing: No surprises here, was exactly as expected. Extremely smooth process.

Project Completion/Start Up: Again no surprises here, Distinguished Pools staff, explained what was happening, time frames, what we the owners needed to do (filling, brushing, skimming), and what they would be doing.

For a new pool or pool remodel/renovation, Distinguished Pools has my highest recommendation!

Dan Ramos owner is very knowledgeable, honest and straight forward person.
Dan does not promise anything he can not deliver.
Dan’s estimate was not the least expensive, but after interviewing and receiving estimates from a 6 other contractors, I felt the most comfortable with Dan.
His crew and the whole deconstruction of almost 3000 square feet of concrete, installing pavers, relocating the equipment, refinishing the plaster, replacing all the coping, tiles and updating the spa was timely and on spot.
We never thought the pool and the backyard would look as great as it does.
I highly recommend Distinguished Pools and will do so to anyone that needs his services

I contracted with Distinguished Pools to come do a site visit. As per their policy, they charge a $150 fee for the site visit, design drawings and a visit to their offices to review their designs.

When Dan came to the property, it was determined that site layout would be cost-prohibitive to moving forward with a pool design, due to a variety of reasons. We mutually agreed that it would be unwise to move forward with the design as it was unlikely we would be able to proceed within our budget parameters. Dan had other suggestions on how to maximize the layout of the property with a drop-in pool/sauna, but such a design would NOT require further assistance from Distinguished Pools. He even provided an alternative contractor that might be able to assist with a deck/drop in sauna concept.

As mentioned, we agreed not to proceed any further with the pool design.

I was a bit surprised when the $150 fee hit my credit card and left a message asking if there was the opportunity for some portion of the fee to refunded as we would NOT be proceeding with design drawings and/or the office visit. Cindy promptly returned my call and politely listened to my argumentation, but needed to check with Dan. After doing so, she called back and engaged me in some circular argumentation offering me the chance to proceed with the design drawing and the office visit, even though we had mutually agreed that this would be a waste of time. Essentially, the fee is non-refundable. PERIOD. Even though I paid for three things (site visit, drawings, office visit) and only took advantage of one of those things (site visit), the fee (or even a portion of the fee) could NOT BE ADJUSTED.

Distinguished Pools has a business to run and they have to decide how to treat their (potential) clients. It is ultimately a business decision about how to handle unique situations like mine. I leave it up to you to decide if you wish to do business with this company. My situation may be unique, but think twice before you contract with them if there are any potential curveballs that may be associated with your property.

Dan from Distinguished Pools designed an incredible pool in our space. He is creative and understands the space, and what his clients want. He listened to our thoughts and gave us something better than we had imagined. The project was completed on time and any issues that came up were resolved easily. I would highly recommend Distinguished Pools for design service and build.