If you’ve ever watched a pool Facebook group long enough, you’ve seen the same two posts: the “new plaster day” celebration… and the “is this normal?” panic post with dusting, streaks, footprints, and blotchy spots. This episode is about why those outcomes are often decided before the pool is even filled—especially in the first 24–48 hours.

We break down plaster in homeowner language: what it is, what it’s doing while it’s still “young,” why strong acid on day zero is a shortcut with a price tag, and what “good” looks like when a crew respects the process—mixing discipline, crew size, bond coat, controlled exposure timing, and safe handling of corrosives.

This is general education. Always follow your finish manufacturer’s written startup plan and local rules.

Cash sounds simple. Skipping permits sounds faster. This episode explains how those shortcuts turn into fines, forced tear-outs, insurance headaches, and expensive fixes—sometimes years later, right when you try to sell.

Cash jobs and “no-permit needed” promises are everywhere. They sound like a shortcut. But they often turn into the most expensive kind of project: the one you pay for twice.

In this episode, we break down what really happens when work is done without permits (or when an “owner-builder” permit is used the wrong way). We talk about why permits matter beyond paperwork, how problems surface during inspections, insurance claims, and real-estate transactions, and what “getting caught later” can look like—stop-work orders, fines, failed inspections, and remediation that costs more than doing it right the first time.

If you’re a homeowner trying to save money, this is the episode that helps you spot the red flags early—before a “great deal” turns into a liability.

Not legal advice. This is general education about risk, safety, and common outcomes. Always verify requirements with your local building department and licensed professionals.

Need a second set of eyes? New clients start with a paid Safety & System Evaluation (no free quotes). Florida CPC1460695.
State of Texas TICL 1350
State of Texas RAIL 635643
WI HVAC Contractor 1543940 - HVACCONT
WI Electrical Contractor License: 1543940 - EC
WI Dwelling Contractor: 012100046 - DC
WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: 112001269 - DCQ

In this short episode, Jason records from a Florida beach and explains why a simple 15-minute paid consultation can make a huge difference before your pool project goes sideways.

If you’re worried about scams, half-finished jobs, or a “licensed” contractor who suddenly goes quiet, a focused consult lets you:

• Run a line from your contract past a licensed pool professional
• Sanity-check quotes, scopes of work, and change orders
• Talk through what should be done at this stage of your project
• Learn how to document what’s been done (and what hasn’t) from a contractor’s point of view

Jason also shares how his work as a litigation consultant and expert witness shapes the way he looks at documentation and communication—while staying strictly in the lane of technical, practical pool guidance.

This episode is not legal advice and Jason is not acting as your attorney. It’s a chance to get clear, code-aware input from a licensed pool contractor so you can talk with your own professionals more confidently.

📅 Book a 15-minute paid consultation:
https://www.poolenvywi.com/schedule-pool-service-florida-safety-check-or-full-inspection-pool-envy/

(If you’re listening the week this airs and you’re in Florida, Jason may also have limited availability for in-person consultations—reach out through the schedule page for details.)

Licensed in Florida as a Certified Pool Contractor: CPC1460695 Texas: TICL 1350 Wisconsin: 012100046 - DC

Certified vs Licensed: They Said They Were Licensed… But They Lied – They Were Only Certified

In this episode, Jason pulls apart one of the pool industry’s favorite magic tricks: calling a certification a “license” and hoping homeowners don’t know the difference. We walk through what a true state license is, what a certification actually means, and how contractors, realtors, and even insurance adjusters get burned when they treat those words like they’re interchangeable.

We talk about how Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin handle licensing, why permits and insurance often don’t mean what people think they mean, and how shady advertising (“licensed & insured!” with no number in sight) skirts the edge of unlicensed activity.

If you own a pool, sell homes, adjust claims, or work in the trades, this episode will give you a simple filter: who’s legally allowed to touch that pool, and who’s just really good at printing business cards.

Your Unlicensed Pool Contractor Secretly Hates You – The Fast Track to a Lawsuit

In this episode of The Pool Envy Podcast, Jason digs into what really happens when you trust “the pool guy” who isn’t actually licensed—and why that decision can quietly put you on the fast track to a lawsuit.

This isn’t just contractor drama. It’s about:

• How unlicensed work quietly shifts all the risk onto you as the homeowner
• Why the “He’s been doing this for 30–50 years and nothing’s ever gone wrong” line is a trap
• What happens when a bad gas or electrical install leads to a fire or shock and damages your neighbor’s property
• How skipping a permit can give your insurance company a perfect excuse to deny or reduce a claim
• Why the “we’ll just pay the fine if we get caught” mindset falls apart when you factor in resale, rework, and legal costs

Jason also tackles some of the biggest myths he hears from homeowners:

• “If I pull a permit, my property taxes will go up.”
• “It’s cheaper to ask forgiveness later.”
• “The inspector is just there to slow me down.”

He explains how permits and inspections actually work in your favor—acting like a discounted “expert double-check” on your project. You still get to DIY or choose your contractor, but you’re not flying blind.

On the public/commercial side, Jason talks about:

• School districts and public entities hiring unlicensed folks—knowingly or “accidentally”
• What that means for taxpayers, kids’ safety, and liability when something goes wrong
• Why insisting on licensed contractors and permitted work is good governance, not bureaucracy

Along the way, you’ll hear some familiar soundbites—like “It’s still illegal” and a playful jab at unlicensed scumbags—plus a few jokes about code books that can’t complain because, well… they’re books.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

• The real-world consequences of hiring unlicensed pool contractors
• How permits, inspections, and licensed pros protect your house, your wallet, and your neighborhood
• The simple questions you can ask before hiring anyone to touch your pool, gas, or electrical systems
• How you, quietly, become the local hero by raising the bar in your community

Please see the video/podcast description for more information.
We’ll include links to:

• State license lookup tools
• Local permitting resources
• A quick “Before You Hire” checklist you can use with any contractor

🔹 Free Download – Before You Hire Contractor Checklist (PDF)
Use this one-page checklist before you let anyone touch your pool, gas, or electrical systems:

Most pools look fine… until something happens and the insurance company shows up.
Then suddenly the “perfect” backyard becomes a liability map.

In this episode, Jason breaks down a real-world scenario he sees over and over again: beautiful pools that hide dangerous code violations, old components, missing bonding, gas-line mistakes, bad drain covers, and zero documentation.

And when a homeowner files a claim?
Five minutes later—denied.

You’ll learn:

• What adjusters actually look for when they step into a backyard
• The five red flags that instantly kill claims
• Why bonding, grounding, and drain covers matter more than tile and water color
• How bad gas-line installs quietly void coverage
• Why “my pool guy said it’s fine” is not evidence
• The three photos every pool owner should take today
• The exact questions to ask your insurance agent before summer

This episode isn’t about fear.
It’s about seeing your pool the way the experts do—so you don’t get blindsided when it matters.

If you know someone with a backyard pool… send this to them.

Florida Pool Contractor Deposits: Don’t Pay & Pray

Summary: Too many Florida pool projects stall after a big deposit. This episode gives homeowners (and honest builders) a clear, statute-anchored playbook: the 30-day permit / 90-day start clocks, how to verify a real DBPR CPC license, the red flags before you pay, and exactly how to file complaints if the job goes quiet. Paper over promises—always.

What you’ll learn

• Florida’s over-10% deposit rule → permit in 30 days, start within 90 days (unless changed in writing/just cause)
• The difference between license vs. “certifications” vs. tax paperwork
• A trust-but-verify checklist: DBPR lookup, recent permits, milestone-based draws, lien releases
• Red flags that signal trouble before you pay
• How to write a polite demand, where to file complaints, and when to speak with counsel about Chapter 713 liens
• Reporting unlicensed contracting to the Florida DBPR.

This week had range. Jason tracks down a diesel return-line drip on the plaster truck, spends time sharpening the website and comms, lands the most fun project of the year, and explains why November in Wisconsin is the perfect window to hydroblast and set a project up for a fast spring start.

We keep it big picture, not DIY—how we diagnose, how we communicate with owners and AHJs, and why the method matters more than the tool. You’ll hear how hydroblasting compares to chipping/scarifying, the seasonal logic (subs’ availability, on-site oversight, stormwater compliance), and a clear spring-readiness stack for tile and waterproofing that aligns with ANSI A118.10 (submerged membranes), A118.15 (mortars), A118.7 / A118.3 (grouts), installed per ANSI A108 and TCNA pool details—plus an NEC 680.26 bonding check before finish.

Owner playbook? We give you five questions to keep projects calm: scope/method, protection, waste handling, schedule/cure, and a photo log that ends arguments before they start. Quiet precision. Licensed. Code-compliant. No drama.

Safety note: Educational only—fuel systems, electrical, and hydroblasting must be performed by licensed professionals under the AHJ and per OEM/manufacturer instructions.
Licensing: Wisconsin HVAC Contractor #1543940 · Florida CPC1460695 · Texas TICL 1350 / RAIL 635643.
CTA: Need a permit-ready plan? Book a Safety & System Evaluation.