Champion Windows and Home Exteriors of Columbia

Champion arrived on time and the work was performed in a professional manner and in an appropriate time. We were very pleased.

Champion replaced existing screened porches on the first and second floors of our house with glassed in patio rooms in 2007. We had leaks immediately after they finished which took a number of visits to stop. We've had occasional leaks over the intervening years to which they responded (their primary fix is to apply more caulk; not terribly attractive). LAST FALL,(2012) the first floor patio room began leaking in a new spot. They found a small hole in the roof deck(part of their original construction) over the lower patio room and removed the metal deck to further troubleshoot the source of the leak. The removal of the metal roof deck revealed that about a third of the plywood underneath it was wet and had rotted and would require an extensive repair. They covered the roof deck wirh Tyvek-like roofing membrane to keep water out of the house while they decided how to fix it. This mostly worked-- the membrane was removed and reattached several times so that various people (insurance adjusters, engineers, etc.)could look at the problem, and every time it was reattached it was less watertight. Anyway, the local Champion folks had numerous discussions amongst themselves and with the home office in Ohio, and determined that they would have to dissamble (they use a sort of modular construction method involving prefab panels etc) the upper patio room and take up the tile floor we had installed(not part of their package) to get at the subfloor. Work finally started March 8, 2013, and took many weeks, during which the back of the house was covered in a patchwork of blue tarps, some of which they attached by nailing into the non-leaking metal roof on anotherpart of the house("they're only small nails"). Because they had short working hours, about half of which were devoted to removing/applying/adjusting the tarps, it took about 6 weeks to demolish and rebuild the second floor patio room, plus a few more to correct things they had done sloppily or wrong, and for the replacement windows to be installed. We are still waiting for them to fix an area of the new subfloor where the pieces of OSB they joined together are not level(one piece is 1/4 inch higher than the others). The people were all very nice and Champion did stand by their guarantee; however, if they had done the construction properly the first time, all this could have been avoided. A lot of the delays during construction were caused by having to get them to re- do something that had been done sloppily; there was somewhat of a lack of attention to the finishing details(not overlapping seams neatly or evenly, using an ivory caulk on their bright white materials so that it ends up looking old, dirty , and in need of replacing, etc.).

Our patio room was not constructed properly and they tore it all down, looked it out, started over and et cetera. The pricing was reasonable but at the same time high. They did a wonderful job so it was worth it. They were very professional and their work was very well-done, cleaned up every night before they left and they were done on time, in fact, they're ahead of time and we were very pleased with the experience. We had a few questions about the way that the flooring was ripped out and not sure it really needed to be done after it was pulled out when we saw what was there but they came right over and they made adjustments for it in the ceiling and added something to make for what didn't need to be done that they done. We're fair about it.

The service was ok, notheing exceptional. I think turn around time should have been quicker.

We had two gentlemen come and give a presentation for new windows. We decided to go ahead and get 12 windows installed. One would be converted from two windows into one larger sliding window. The gentleman stated how great the windows were and how good the crew would be. Cleaning up after they were finished with quality installation. After about several weeks our windows were ready. They came to install and as we watched the work I was not completely sure about the process. I never ONCE saw a level used when installing the windows and I watched them install at least 5 of the 12. One was dropped out of the window and onto the deck. Many places that were caulked on the inside had to be caulked again before they left. Many of the bug doors were caulked shut. One put a hole in our stucco with their ladder. We decided to take care of that ourselves although I am not sure why because we had to pay for that. They came back to finish the next day. I guess there was some kind of problem with the men and their work that I was not aware of until the walk through several weeks later. I went and checked outside after they were finish and found lots of debris left under the places they worked. Still picking that up. In the next days to come, as I inspected all the windows, I began to see how much caulk was NOT done around almost every window. Trim that was installed inside of one window looked terrible. They fixed it but it still does not look good. But they said that is what they always use. I think it looks terrible. We scheduled the walk through and the same gentleman who did the presentation came through and inspected the work. He was not happy with the job. Said that dings in the trim needed to be fixed, LOTS of caulk and the trim on the inside of window needed to be fixed. He was so disappointed that he offered to replace one of our entry doors at cost. He left and we waited 3 weeks or more and never heard from him. So I called the company and was told nothing was scheduled. We received a call 2 or so days later with an appointment scheduled. But when called to schedule he was not aware of any of the problems noted on walk through or the at cost door. He talked with the gentleman who did walk through and got the okay for the at cost door but was only told to do the caulk. NO mention of any of the other things he was so disappointed about. Poor communication. I showed him the trim again and again he said, "that is how we do it." I was confused. He caulked every window but nothing was said about trim problems. Just seems there was no communication between walk through and worker. A gentleman came to give estimate on entry door and was still way more than we wanted to pay even at cost. Which was only 30% off. I guess I thought cost was more than that. Overall, I like the windows themselves but not much else. There is not a button to choose whether we would "maybe" use them again. I cannot say yes or no right now. We still have 7 windows left to be changed and not sure I will use them again.

TERRIBLE. The quality was terrible and the subcontractors basically slapped on the siding and the poor attention to detail was obvious the more I looked at it. The dealer came out, agreed, and had some of the obvious flaws improved. However, the overall work was terrible and makes me sick to look at each day. A month after the "job" was done, a thunderstorm with some wind came down and some of the cheap siding came off!! They fixed it though. I was thinking of taking them to court, but I do not have the time or money to fight the fight.

I spoke with Karen Miller at headquarters, and she took down the information. She was supposed to call back but never did. I called her again and left a message but never got a reply. Then, I called to speak with you, Mr. Donald R. Jones, and your receptionist wanted to know the nature of the call. She intercepted and said Amy Frye would handle the matter. I spoke with Amy that day, a nd she called a week later to let me know that she was still working on the issue. I didn't hear from her for a few weeks so I called her and left a message. I still didn't hear anything from Amy, so I recently left her another message, on August 10, 2012, to ask for her help in resolving the issue. Because no one has been able to help on local and national levels, I am asking for your assistance to help remedy the problem I am having with the Champion windows. Too much money was spent for a product that I am not happy with, and I'm not getting any where with the people I have talked with. I am requesti ng a full refund to resolve the issue. Sincerely, Alfred E. Doby, Jr.

Installers arrived around 7:30 am or 8 am started right away installing. Finished in a timely manner. Cleaned and took away all debris. Left work areas cleaned and neat.

Took about 2 weeks possibly due to periodic inspections. After completion I had a minor leak in the roof. After a call, the install crew came out and took care of it.

Got several estimates for the job. Champion came in below all estimates and the products view at their showroom location seemed superior to others that were view. Materials were delivered on time and the installation crew arrived at the appointed and the job was completed professionally and during the time frame indicatted in the contract. Extremely satisfied with company and service rendered. I will definitely use them in the future if the need arises.

Once the material arrived the installation proceeded steadily. Only minor adjustments were needed after installation. Great crew

They were on time, courteous, professional& proficient.

Installer was nice and friendly. I think the installer's never been taught how to use a level.

The servicemen was on time and very respectful. The repairs (quality) were above what was expected.

From start to finish a great job. The windows we purchased are not the cheapest they offer, but the quality of construction more than made up for the premium price. The project team consisted of a marketing representative, a project manager / general contractor, and a three person installation crew. The windows and installation are first rate, and the installation took just under 2 full days. All work except sealing the window opens, was done from the exterior of the home. When they did come in, they had on shoe coverings to prevent damage to the floors. They cleaned up all of the debris and old windows, disposing of them in a landfill certified to accept lead based paint. We were extremely happy with the entire process. We purchased the next-to the top grade windows. All tilt in for easy cleaning, and all of the standard size windows have 6-over-6 mullions incorporated into the dead air gap. We intend to have them back to replace all of our exterior doors and to re-clad the exterior wood work.

Weather was an issue since wet concreate and water do not get along. Once construction was underway it took about 2 weeks to complete the room. The concreate footing was an issue and they had to pour an extra 3 inches that cost me an additional $300 dollars. The extra concreate cost me the transome windows. I was upset that Champion charged me the same price for the solid panels as they would have for the glass panels I was supposed to have. At this point I just wanted the project finished. The installers were great. They worked long hours in the heat without complaint and cleaned up EVERYDAY. Each day it looked as if they were starting anew. The project manager kept in touch with me every step of the way to include coming and checking on how I liked the results--2 weeks later.

They went over and above to save me money. They made really good suggestions as well. After my in-laws saw the quality of the work they had all of their windows replaced as well.

Overall, the experience was good. The only thing they didn’t tell us is that they closed the business down that was in our town, which they should’ve told us beforehand. The employees didn’t know that the location was going to close, either.

It went pretty well. There were no problems. The process was very easy.

The worker did not have sufficient matrial to complete and had to use material I had.

They came and presented their package and did a good job but we decided to go with another company. They came right on time.

Salesman was prompt & professional. Foreman worked with us to size windows in order to have the most glass possible as this porch has a spectacular view of Lake Murray. Workmen were polite and capable. Results were outstanding.

Representative seemed very knowledgeable and had good suggestions, but his bid, given verbally over the phone, was substantally higher than our church was able to pay.

I was very impressed. They did the job in 2 days. They had to come out and removed some windows and put the new ones in. When I did have one problem with one window, they were out the next day to fix it. The pricing was a little steep but I am impressed by the windows and happy with the work.

Received estimate as stated above, visited showroom to finalize deal and see products. Made deal with a "hand shake", and left showroom that night expecting to sign contract next day. Was called by owner of company and salesman on a conference call saying that deal made the previous night by salesman with a "hand shake" would not be honored as stated. Company required an additional $3K to perform services (10% of total services). BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN WRITING. WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS COMPANY FOR ANY FUTURE WORK EVEN THOUGH THEY SELL A GOOD PRODUCT. OWNER NOT RESPONSIVE TO NEGOTIATIONS.