Testimonials

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03/23/2017 – Jerome Harris

Really impressed with the professional service. From the beginning Matt came to our home to discuss options for replacing the front door. Although the door was a bit more expensive than the big box stores I was sold on the quality of the product and installation I would receive from Chesapeake Thermal. I was not disappointed. I dealt directly with the family, they were very responsive and worked around my schedule to complete the project.

This is the second time I have done business with the Dawsons' at Chesapeake Thermal. Each time I have obtained price quotes from others and Tom has been competitive with the bigger names. The real difference is the fact that when dealing with Tom I know I am dealing with a quality person, not just a salesman out to make a buck and move on to the next sale. He takes his time explaining the various options available to you and assists in helping you through the process to ensure you are getting the best product to meet your needs. His wife Nancy then works with you to schedule the best time to install based on your time requirements and low and behold Tom's brother John then arrives at your door to perform the install. Did I mention this is a family business? John does a great job ensuring that his work area is safe and the cleanup met my wife's high standards. These folks take pride in their work, are professional, and make sure that your needs are met, start to finish. I would recommend Chesapeake in a heartbeat.

Description Of Work: Replaced 12 wood double hung windows with Soft Lite Imperial vinyl double hung windows (inserts). Member Comments: Our new house, built in 1981, came with some very drafty wood windows that would not fully close. Actually, they would have been drafty even if they had closed fully. Initially, we couldn't imagine choosing anything but wood windows for purely atheistic reasons. But, vinyl windows are so much more practical, so we wanted to keep an open mind. We got bids from four highly-rated companies, but we opted for Chesapeake Thermal for two main reasons: 1) Tom Dawson, the owner, was quite willing to install any type of windows we wanted, while the competitors were more wedded to one brand; and 2) the windows would be installed by a team led by Tom's brother, John. The first reason was important to us because it was hard to get reviews on the windows that the competitors proposed to install. These brands were usually manufactured locally by a company with which the installer had a relationship. I can see that there could be advantages to doing business this way, and to be honest, the various brands had very similar features. Yet, I got a certain piece of mind choosing a national brand that was widely reviewed on many internet sites. Chesapeake Thermal has a preferred brand, Soft-Lite, that is manufactured in Ohio and used nation wide. The second reason that we went with Chesapeake Thermal is probably more important. There are several excellent windows to choose from, but the proper installation of the windows is the key to their performance. Again, I got peace of mind knowing that the installation would be performed largely by the family of the owner. It is common practice in the in industry to contract the installation to an independent contractor. While the other companies we considered seemed careful about whom they hired to do the installation, we felt even more comfortable with Chesapeake Thermal because our work would be done by a family-owned and operated company that cares deeply about its reputation. We haven't seen a huge decrease in our heating bill since the windows were installed - nor did we expect to - but the house is much more comfortable. For example, on a cold, windy day with the thermostat set at 70 degrees, the house used to feel rather chilly. Now, we are much more comfortable on blustery days at the same thermostat setting. Also, since the new windows are so easy to open and close tightly, I'm sure we will be using our A/C less this summer. Chesapeake Thermal was not the low bidder, but Mr. Dawson knows he is in a highly competitive business, and his proposal was reasonable. Considering the control they have over the installation process, the slightly extra money we spent was well worth it. They focus on doing top-quality work and let referrals generate the customers. We are completely satisfied with our new windows and our decision to go with Chesapeake Thermal.

Removed and installed 12 windows and 1 entry door and 1 storm door.  On 3/24/10, after many estimates from fly-by-nights, crooks and general scammers I signed a contract with Tom Dawson of Chesapeake Thermal Enterprises for 12 triple pane vinyl windows and a new entry door and storm door.  With installation of 14 said items the cost came to $11,000. First off let me state that the reason I'm writing this over 2 1/2 years late, is that 1) I was not a member of Angie's List at the time, and 2) after seeing the constant reductions in my BGE bill I thought it was time to say THANK YOU!  To make a long story short, I had several contractors come to the house to give me estimates and show me their products. One gave a price of $18,000 and I said no thank you...by the time we were at the door it was $16,000 and when we got out the door to his car it was $10,000.  I told the guy if he could have an $8,000 price difference within 30 feet, he had proven he was not trustworthy and I moved on.  I saw others but they were not the best quality.  I then contacted Tom Dawson of Chesapeake Thermal and he came to the house in March of 2010.  He was (is) a nice man and in my opinion an honest man. By the end of our little meeting we had an agreement and he placed the order for my doors and windows and on 4 May 2010 they started the install.  It took 2 days, but the quality of workmanship was superb and they worked clean.  Now, over 2 1/2 years later, I am enjoying a warmer house and much lower BGE bills.  I have budget billing and every time it comes up for the review, it goes DOWN!  Thanks Tom for a great product and the wonderful service.  The ONLY problem I had was a clip or 2 on the storm door broke and I contacted Nancy Dawson and in just a few days they arrived in either the mail or UPS (I don't remember which). Great job C.T. !  I'll be calling you again for patio entry doors when the savings are ready!

Excellent in every way: always on time, good prices with no hidden costs, friendly and attentive on the phone as well as in person, completely trustworthy. This is a terrific, family-owned business and I'm so glad I chose them to replace my windows and front door. By the way, I think my house was cleaner when they left than it was before they arrived.

I just wanted to tell you how much we love our new upstairs windows. We are very happy with the end result......they look fabulous.  Replacing the frames too was definitely the way to go.

The day the guys were here installing them was a day of torrential rain and flooding.  The rain held off until the job was two thirds of the way done, but they still had to tramp in and out of the house in the rain.  I was concerned about so many things including the fact that they had to cut around our bathroom wallpaper which I dearly love.  Not only did they do a five star job, the wallpaper looks great and so does the wall to wall carpeting.  They were very neat and careful....true professionals.

I would not hesitate to recommend your company to anyone who needs new windows.

Great job! The installers came as scheduled and replaced a window and a door. The work was done neatly, and everything looks great. I will use this company again when it is time to replace the rest of the windows.

Chesapeake Thermal did an outstanding job removing two construction grade doors and installing two Provia high efficiency doors.  One door is the classic steel door leading to the garage and the other was Provia's heritage series fiberglass door with low "e" glass in both the door and sidelights.  The quality workmanship of the installers, John and Eddie, really made the difference!  Fit and finish was perfect and because the opening was slightly non-standard, they went above and beyond to craft a perfect fit that will last forever.  They made sure that nothing was overlooked from start to finish including the clean up and were perfect gentlemen.  Tom, the owner worked very had to match the price of another contractor but was determined to earn my business.  The company stands behind there work and if anything goes wrong in the future they will warranty their work and serve as a liaison with Provia if any door workmanship/parts issues arise in the future.  I would recommend them without hesitation!  The real test comes with the installation and the quality of fit and finish.  These guys are the real deal!

We have always admired some of the top notch professionals that we have seen on "This Old House" over the years and never really hoped to find any local contractor that could measure up. However, we had the good fortune of finding Chesapeake Thermal. Tom Dawson came to the house to talk to us and measure and offer suggestions. He was professional and extremely knowledgeable and helped us make the right decision for our replacement door. We then got a call from the office, sooner than we expected, to schedule our installation. John Dawson arrived promptly as scheduled and started the job. It turns out that John was at least as skilled as any professional we could hope to find. Because of the previous improper installation he had to solve some structure problems before he could complete the installation. The finished job was perfect. I have already recommend Chesapeake Thermal and the Dawson's to family and friends.

They were wonderful! The first appointment was to measure the windows and talk about the process and timeline. The windows came in earlier than expected and they were able to get them installed 4 weeks earlier than planned. The installation took one day and the installers were right on time and very friendly. They cleaned up after the job was done and did a really great job. We will definitely use them for other projects.

Had 18 vinyl replacement windows installed, 7 of which are oversized (floor to ceiling). It took a while to get the windows ordered, however, they still arrived when initially promised. The crew showed up early on the date of service. Completed all work in a single day even though it was initially expected that there might be a second day. They hauled away the old windows and left no mess, inside or out! I am very pleased with everything about the windows and installation. I would definitely recommend Chesapeake Thermal.

They were very responsive and professional, gave us an initial estimate with no pressure, gave us a good final price and did the job well.  Great experience, highly recommended.

Chesapeake Thermal is an outstanding company.  I chose them because they are a small family-run business with a good track record, and I was not disappointed.  The owner came on Sept. 24 to give the estimate.  He was professional and did not try to sell me the most expensive option.  My windows were installed on Oct. 31 by a 3-main crew, one of which, I think, is a member of the family.  They were clearly experienced and worked as a well-coordinated team.  I appreciated that at the end they cleaned up meticulously and carefully re-checked their work.  Best of all we went from 40-year old windows with storm windows to nice new double paned windows that keep the drafts out.  The new windows have also cut down on the noise from outside.  I definitely would recommend this company.

Chesapeake Thermal workers were very professional, neat and efficient.  We love our new windows and doors and look forward to  realizing a savings on our electric bill.  We would definitely hire Chesapeake Thermal in the future.

Chesapeake Thermal was great. I asked a ton of questions and they worked with me the whole time. I love my new back door and would definitely use them for any other projects.

We appreciate your courtesy and your diligence. It was a pleasure to deal with you – a rarity today!  

Excellent professional and personable service from start to finish. I will definitely call this company again for future projects.  

Very personable people with professional courtesy and workmanship. As a family they care about quality service.  

What a wonderful company to work with. You were able to accomodate our special requests without hesitation. …It is a nice change to deal with people with honesty and integrity. Quality products at an exceptional price! We will definitely use you for further work we may need done.  

Thank you for your promptness and professionalism. It was wonderful working with a family-run business.  

Thank you so much for doing a great job on our windows! We couldn’t have been more pleased with the windows and you and your staff. Your prices were reasonable, the work was done in quick and timely manner, and the employees who cam out to install the windows were very friendly and professional. We are so glad that we chose Chesapeake Thermal, and will be sure to recommend you to all our friends and neighbors.  

We continue to return to CTE over the years because they do terrific work and are a pleasure to work with.  

Thank you for providing a custom quality product in a very professional transaction.  The workmanship of the installation was first-rate and we are very pleased with our new entry door.  We are satisfied customers and we are pleased to be able to recommend your company to other consumers who are looking for a high quality product and high quality service at a fair price.  

Matt & John were great and very nice to work with…they even fixed our broken screen door closer!!  Tom was also a pleasure to work with…he made sure he did everything he could to make us happy and satisfied customers.  The windows look wonderful and much better than our old windows but the casements are a whole ‘nother story.  We knew they would look good but we didn’t know they would look THAT GOOD!  They did such a great job with them and it turned our living room into a whole new room!  We are very satisfied with the work that we have received from this company!!  Thanks again guys!!  

John Dawson was professional, courteous and accommodating while he followed the specifics of the contract.  He made sure all the little things were taken care of.  I felt that he was working for me as a customer and not just trying to get doors installed and then leave to the next job.  His work was above standard and the trim work was excellent.  With regard to the sales presentation, Tom Dawson was knowledgeable and provided answers to all of our question, and above all, patient with all our changes and redundant questions.  Above all, he sells top quality products.  

Working with Chesapeake Thermal was a pleasing experience.  From our initial call through to the completion of the work, all phases of the project were completed in a timely and efficient manner.  

From our initial meeting with Tom through our installation, Thank you for a job well done! We appreciate your competitive prices, honest communication, reliability and professionism. Will recommend your company to our family and friends!  

This is our second home where we have used Chesapeake Thermal for windows. They have an excellent product and fantastic customer service.  

From selling motion thru to installation, company set and met expectations, and for a fair price.  

I was totally happy with the service and the work performed for my entry door and sidelites. Everyone was very professional and was always courteous with my questions and concerns.  

I have to say the work that was done on my house was great. I am very happy and delighted with everything that was done. I would recommend them to anyone who needs home remodeling. They are the best.  

….my experience with Chesapeake Thermal is nothing short of outstanding. Shortly after I signed the install contract, I was contacted by XYZ Company, as they were last on my list of companies to get estimates from. When I explained that I no longer needed an estimate due to already finding an installer, they quickly asked if it was you. Clearly you have a great reputation for them to have guessed you first. They tried to sway me by saying you guys were small and not as experienced. They even offered to do the install with same windows and slider for $500.00 cheaper. I told them no thanks as I have no respect for big companies bashing hard working family companies like Chesapeake Thermal. Thank you again!  

We had Chesapeake Thermal install 24 windows and two doors a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I are very pleased with the overall results. The doors and windows are all very attractive and have added significant value to the house. The installers did a fantastic job and behaved professionally throughout the entire job. Perhaps the best part of Chesapeake Thermal is that it is a family owned business and they care about their products and the services they provide. We highly recommend Chesapeake Thermal to anybody who is considering having their windows or doors replaced.  

Tom, Thank you so very much, the house looks terrific. Eddie & Dan were great to work with and did an outstanding job! We’ll be sure to pas your name along to friends and neighbors.  

Chesapeake Thermal was very easy to work with and did an excellent job. They came out for an initial visit late in the day, after I could be home from work. We talked through options for styles of door and color. In fairly short order, my wife and I picked out what we wanted. It took about six weeks for the doors to come in, exactly as predicted. The two workmen who came out to install the door did excellent work and cleaned up after themselves thoroughly. The doors themselves are excellent — no more drafts around rotting framing, and they glide open and closed effortlessly. Granted, Provia doors are not inexpensive, (though that’s out of Chesapeake Thermal’s control), but it seems you do get what you pay for in this case — well worth it.  

The original Anderson windows were installed in 1985 and were starting to show condensation between the panes of glass. Getting 30 years out of these windows isn’t bad. We decided to get three bids and used Angies List to select the bidders. We met with the bidders at the beginning of December. Tom Dawson of Chesapeake Thermal met with us to go over the job and sent us a bid on December 9th. We selected Chesapeake Thermal of Davidsonville because of his price, the good Angies List reviews, and the fact that he lives a few miles away (we like to support local small businesses). We signed the one-page contract and told Tom to order the windows. The windows came in early February and work started on Feb 4. The work required the removal of the outside cedar 5/4″ x 4″ trim before the windows could be removed. I wanted to save the old windows for another project and they were able to save all but three. Some of these windows were large and quite heavy. The crew did a good job and were willing to work with me on the replacement trim. John Dawson, Tom’s brother, cut the trim and I stained it before he put it back up. That saved me a lot of time on a ladder. They also made an extra effort to save some interior trim in the sun room so I could reuse it to retrim two windows. They finished the job in three days and worked in the bitter cold and wind. Overall, they did a great job  

Tom Dawson provided a free estimate and was very helpful providing information on a range of products as he handles several types of doors. There was no hard sales pitch, just relevant facts about what was available that he could install. I had two other estimates and I selected Tom’s. The doors were ordered and when they came in Tom stopped by to recheck all measurements against the parts received and set up an installation date. On 12 May the crew showed up on time, set to work and by that afternoon everything was installed, old doors removed and disposed of and you could not tell that all that work had been accomplished. The place was spotless, all interior and exterior trim replaced (and in the case of the basement – improved). Two weeks later the supplier of the phantom screen showed up, installed the screen and everything is looking good! I will recommend Chesapeake Thermal to family and friends. They do excellent work with excellent products.