My experience
I hired the wrong pool installer. Here's everything that happened.
I'm writing this to protect other consumers from what I can only describe as a terrible experience — and to give negative reviews a place to live that can't be quietly removed.
How it started
I first contacted AMD Landscaping — later renamed AMD Pools and Patios — and its owner Devin Bane in 2022 for work on my property. Devin was initially responsive and engaging. That changed quickly.
Before I get into the details, here's the bottom line: Devin lied to me, took advantage of me, and has taken over $200,000 from me. He left me with a pool that has a growing sinkhole and fissure at the deep end, and pavers and landscaping pitched to drain water directly into the pool every time it rains.
I'm writing this because companies like AMD have the ability to have negative reviews removed from Google and Facebook by claiming they're inaccurate. Consumers have almost no recourse when that happens. So I built this site — a place where my experience can live on its own terms.
How it unfolded
June 2023
Excavation begins — and the first problem appears
During initial excavation, water immediately started pooling in the excavated space. Devin assured me it was not a problem. He also encountered ledge early and charged me $10,350 for a change order to rock-hammer it — a decision that compromised the ledge and exposed a natural spring.
During construction
Shortcuts that caused lasting damage
Devin did not drill pilot holes before excavation — a basic step that would have identified the ledge and spring before work began. He also failed to employ appropriate water abatement measures for the spring, groundwater, or runoff. The result was a pool built on an unstable, water-compromised foundation.
Pool opening
Structural and drainage issues
Within months of installation, the liner was blistering and floating up to four feet from the bottom. The water had to be drained, the cracked and broken vermiculite repaired, and the liner reset — all while continuously pumping rising groundwater out of the pool. Water drainage and runoff continued to drain into the pool during rain storms due to pavers incorrectly pitched toward the pool.
More problems arrise
Electrical issues
Improper electrical work resulted in the heat pump pool heater and solar panels failing to function. Neither system worked as installed.
Additional proerty damages
Driveway damage and a demand for payment
Devin's subcontractor for water delivery drove large tanker trucks repeatedly up and down my residential driveway, causing extensive damage to the driveway and an outbuilding containing propane tanks. Devin refused responsibility and demanded a $900 payment before addressing any of the damage — despite this being a clear warranty issue under our contract.
After I pushed back
He dropped me as a client
When I told Devin I would pay after the damages were addressed, he stopped all communication and dropped me as a client — claiming I was 'disrespectful and being unreasonable about his time.' He was still under contract and responsible for outstanding warranty issues when he walked away. That is a breach of contract.
Photo evidence
The following photos document the defective work completed at my property. Click any image to view it full size.
Water filled the pool while ADM was digging
AMD jackhammering fractured ledge that exposed a natural spring. AMD's response, was no problem!
Pool kept filling up from the natural spring even after the vermiculite was installed.
Floating liner as a result
Drainage problems — Pavers pitched toward the pool. Every rain storm resulted in runoff into the pool
Runoff coming into the pool from multiple sides as there was no dainage system installed and paver delivered water into the pool
After a rain storm, the pool would be contaminated and become cloudy taking days to rectify
Damage to my driveway due to large tanker trucks using my driveway rather than running a hose to the pool to fill
A tanker truck collided with an out building containing propane tanks
Pavers all around the pool pitched to send rain water and run off into the pool
Shown from another section of pool...again pavers pitched toward the pool
To add your own photos, click any image above and use the replace option, or ask me to upload photos you share in this chat.
What I have done about it
Filed with the BBB
I filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau documenting the construction defects, the driveway damage, and Devin's refusal to honor the warranty terms of our contract.
Filed with the RI Contractors Registration Board
I filed a formal complaint with the Rhode Island Contractors Registration Board. Devin's response — in his own words — described me as disrespectful and unreasonable for expecting him to address warranty issues.
Contacted the RI Attorney General's office
Given the scale of the financial harm and the pattern of behavior, I also contacted the Rhode Island Attorney General's office.
Hired an attorney
Only after a formal demand letter was sent did Devin respond — with a text message that was unprofessional, arrogant, and disrespectful, and entirely consistent with how he had conducted himself throughout. (see text message above)
Built this site
Because negative reviews can be removed from Google and Facebook, I created this website so my experience — and the experiences of others — can be documented somewhere that cannot be quietly erased.
Hired a new pool installer
The new installer had to completely pull the entire pool apart — including the pavers — and start over from scratch. More to come on that.
What I want you to know
AMD Pools and Patios was previously called AMD Landscaping. The name changed in 2023. A name change does not produce competent pool installers — I learned that the hard way.
There are experienced, honest pool installers in Rhode Island who have the integrity and technical knowledge to handle problems when they arise. The true measure of a contractor is how they support and service their customers after installation. Devin Bane failed that test completely.
If you would like more information about the work Devin completed at my property, please feel free to contact me. I will continue to update this site as new information becomes available.
Don't make the same mistakes I did
The Installer Vetting Guide covers every question you should ask before signing — and the contract clauses that actually protect you.
Read the Vetting Guide