Licensing: What Public Records Actually Show

Some online discussions suggest Aqua Custom Pools and Spas has “no license” or “no history of licensed work.”. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) lists Aqua Custom Pools and Spas as holding an active Financial Responsibility Officer registration #FRO15802, as of March 2026 (callcharlie.co).

The company lists a pool contractors license number on BuildZoom. However, its Certified Pool/Spa Contractor license (CPC1460677) is listed as inactive/cancelled, as well as no formal link on the DBPR licensing portal. That means that while Aqua Custom Pools and Spas is a Florida registered corporation, it does not currently hold an active, specialized Certified Pool/Spa license. If your local jurisdiction or HOA expects that specific credential for pool work, this is a crucial detail to verify directly at myfloridalicense.com.

💡 Pro Tip: Never rely on verbal claims about licensing. Always confirm license numbers and status yourself on the official DBPR website before you sign.

Mixed Reputation: From Happy Clients to Serious Allegations

On the surface, Aqua Custom Pools and Spas appears reputable. A Chamber of Commerce listing in Orlando shows a 4.8 out of 5 rating based on 16 reviews, with many reviews praising the company’s design ideas, attention to detail, and overall professionalism (chamberofcommerce.com). Yelp and MapQuest–linked reviews from late 2025 also describe positive experiences, especially with the showroom and custom design process (mapquest.com).

But buried among these compliments are disturbing negative reviews. A 2024 reviewer accuses the owner of dishonesty and claims there is a pattern of “scamming” customers in several Florida cities (mapquest.com). Another detailed Chamber of Commerce review describes repeated permit and inspection failures, conflicts with subcontractors, and the contractor allegedly abandoning the project mid-way. These accounts raise red flags about consistency, reliability, and follow-through.

Allegations of Unfinished, Delayed, or Unstarted Pool Projects

The most troubling information comes from formal complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Although Aqua Custom Pools and Spas is not BBB-accredited and states it does not work with the BBB, multiple homeowners have turned there to document their experiences (bbb.org).

• Complaint, June 11, 2025: A homeowner reports paying $76,000 in full for a pool that was supposed to be completed in 10 weeks. After 45 weeks, the project allegedly remained unfinished, with the contractor refusing to complete the work or issue a refund (bbb.org).

• Complaints, June 12–17, 2025: Other customers describe disputed change orders, unexpected extra charges, and alleged contractual breaches. Some say work stalled or key portions of the project were never started, even after significant payments were made.

While these are allegations rather than court findings, the pattern across multiple complaints is consistent: large sums paid, long delays, and incomplete or unstarted pool projects. For many families, this feels indistinguishable from having their money taken with little to show for it—an experience they describe in terms that come close to theft, even if the legal system ultimately categorizes it as breach of contract or fraud.

Detailed contracts and milestone payments can reduce the risk of abandoned pool projects.

Lawsuits, Confidential Settlements, and Public Records

Several BBB complaints note that disputes with Aqua Custom Pools and Spas have moved into formal litigation. In their responses, the company repeatedly references ongoing lawsuits and confidentiality clauses as reasons they cannot discuss details with the BBB or the public (bbb.org). This strongly suggests that at least some cases are being handled privately through the courts or arbitration.

As of April 2026, broad litigation databases do not show easily searchable, open court cases under the exact business name. That doesn’t mean lawsuits don’t exist; rather, they may be filed under individual names, settled, sealed, or still moving through local county systems. Consumers can search Osceola County and surrounding county court records, or contact the Florida DBPR directly, to ask whether any complaints, enforcement actions, or disciplinary proceedings are tied to #FRO15802 (callcharlie.co).

📌 Key Takeaway: The lack of easily found court cases is not proof that serious disputes don’t exist. BBB complaints and references to confidential litigation show that multiple homeowners felt compelled to pursue legal remedies.

How to Protect Yourself Before You Sign

If you are still considering Aqua Custom Pools and Spas—or any pool contractor—take these steps to reduce your risk:

• Verify all licenses yourself. Confirm the general contractor license and ask specifically about any active Certified Pool/Spa (CPC) license if that matters in your jurisdiction.

• Read a wide range of reviews. Don’t stop at star ratings. Read the full text of BBB complaints, Yelp/MapQuest reviews, and Chamber of Commerce feedback to understand patterns of praise and criticism.

• Structure payments around milestones. Avoid paying most or all of the contract price up front. Tie each payment to clearly defined, inspected progress (excavation, shell, plumbing, decking, final finish).

• Insist on a detailed written contract. Spell out timelines, change-order procedures, what happens if inspections fail, and what recourse you have if work stalls or never starts.

• Consider legal advice for large projects. For six-figure outdoor builds, a brief consultation with a construction-law attorney can be far cheaper than a lawsuit after the fact.

Final Word: Proceed With Extreme Caution

Aqua Custom Pools and Spas is a currently unlicensed contractor in Florida and has claims of having delivered successful, high-end projects for some clients. At the same time, there are multiple, consistent reports of unfinished or severely delayed pool projects, disputed payments, and litigation. Some homeowners describe their experiences in terms that strongly resemble being stolen from, after paying tens of thousands of dollars and seeing little progress in their yards.

For any homeowner, the safest approach is to treat these public complaints and reviews as serious warning signs. Whether you ultimately choose Aqua Custom Pools and Spas or another builder, do your homework, verify every claim, and protect yourself with airtight contracts and cautious payment schedules. A backyard pool should be a dream come true—not the start of a costly legal battle.