Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  01/23/2025

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We are building a new construction primary residence with Fischer Homes. During the Selections process at the design center, we chose to upgrade from carpet throughout (including the kitchen!) to a luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout all the non-bedroom areas. This upgrade cost a total of $15,867. At no time during the Selections process were we told that the planks would not be installed in a conventional way with the planks running along the length of the entry hallway from the front entry but that they would be installed to run across the floor. However, during the Selections process, I pointed out that we did not like the way the online 3D rendering of the plank flooring looked (which was oriented across the entryway) and sought assurance that our flooring would not be installed this way. I was told that we just needed to communicate with our field manager how we wanted the floors to be orientated. Now, we are a few weeks away from the flooring getting installed and I am told our ~$16,000 floor MUST be installed that way as it needs to run perpendicular to the engineered floor joists. Installing the flooring this way destroys the aesthetics of the floor, makes all the rooms look smaller, and generally defeats the purpose of installing an expensive plank floor. AND, I communicated this from the beginning during the Selections process. I independently contacted Shaw Floors, the LVP manufacturer, and they said their floating floor product can be installed in any direction irrespective of the floor joists. A subfloor of 3/4" OSB is also adequate for their product. I then communicated this back to our field manager but Fischer still refuses to either install the floor in the orientation we desire OR refund us the $15,867 and put it the carpet that was included in the base price so we could rip it out and install our own floors after closing. Again, was communicated during the Selections process and told we just need to tell our Field Manager.

  Business response

  01/27/2025

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  Thank for you for allowing us to respond to this claim. After researching and reaching out to the homeowner, this was the result of a misunderstanding.
  The homeowner has indicated their desire to remove this complaint all together and we expect you will be hearing from them. 
  
  We appreciate your support.
  
  Fischer Homes
  Cincinnati 

  Customer response

  01/27/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  In addition, I ask that the complaint be rescinded all together.  My frustration was entirely a result of my own error in reading and recalling a communication and not a fault of Fischer Homes.

  Thank you,
  ******* ****
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We built a house with Fischer Homes in June 2022. Over the past 2.5+ years, we still have outstanding items from our one year service warranty. This includes a drainage easement that is below code as it retains water across the entire length of the backyard for 7+ days, as well as an awning over the garage that has significantly discolored due to not being sealed appropriately as indicated in our purchase agreement. We have reached out numerous times for a resolution, but Fischer has been avoidant in addressing. Fischer has also been unresponsive and avoidant in addressing issues raised that are covered under our seven year warranty. This includes cracks / gaps in the foundation wall that is allowing water into the basement, as well as framing issues on the exterior of the house that were identified and reported last year after being infested with birds.

  Business response

  12/09/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  A Fischer Homes Customer Care Manager will be reaching out to our customer to review and discuss any warrantable items that occurred during the warranty period.
  Fischer Homes will also inform our customer on how to make a claim with the third-party structural warranty company. The structural warranty is not facilitated by Fisher Homes.

  Thank you again for allowing Fischer Homes to respond to this situation.
  Fischer Homes
  NKY

• Initial Complaint

  10/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We are building with Fischer and supposed to close in the beginning of September, they have some electrical issues and closing was postponed to end of September, however, our lender needed a payment plan from our 2023 tax, which we requested on October 3rd because tax was filed on September 26th. Our lenders extended the term till we get the letter. Per *** it gonna take 30 days, it is showing on t*** website that there is a payment plan, lit is not finance issue, Fischer homes didn't even wait for after October third but cancelled our agreement and requested we rebuild with them within 6 month at a higher price or forfeit our deposit. We just want the deposit or the house. We cannot control when that letter will come in the mail. W.e believe we were treated unfairly. We aneed a place to stay. The house is in OHIO, THANK YOU for looking into this

  Business response

  10/30/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  Fischer Homes is in business to place our customers in the home of their dreams. It does not benefit us as a business to not close on a home that we have a large amount of money invested in. The home was almost ninety percent complete when our customer required new financing late in the build to increase their credit to a qualifiable number. We cannot close with a lender when these matters occur.
  

  Thankfully our customer has since been able to submit the necessary documents to move forward and the closing is in the process of being scheduled.
  

  Thank you again for allowing Fischer Homes to respond to this situation.
  

  Fischer Homes
  Dayton

  Customer response

  11/20/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. We are on the process working with the for a new contract. We will report it if it is satisfactory. Thank you 
  
  Regards,
  
  ********** *******
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally complain about the smoke alarms installed in my home by Fischer Homes. My residence, built approximately two years ago, contains four different models of smoke alarms, which I believe contributes to the recurring issues I’ve experienced. Throughout my occupancy, the alarms have gone off randomly, without any smoke or fire present. Despite vacuuming out dust and replacing batteries, the issue persists. Recently, all alarms went off while we were away for work, sounding continuously for 11 hours. This is not only disruptive but potentially harmful to our hearing and that of our five cats. After we silenced the alarms, they went off again randomly at 4 a.m. This recurring problem is unacceptable, especially considering the variety of alarm models installed. I request Fischer Homes replace all smoke alarms with a uniform model to prevent further random activations. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, ******

  Business response

  10/30/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,

  We understand the frustration that our customer is experiencing and will have a Customer Care Manager contact them to discuss the smoke detectors. There are different types of Kidde models because it's required to have single smoke detector models in some locations and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in other areas. They can be very sensitive and may react to dust or dander build up within the home. 

  The one-year limited warranty on the home has exired, but in the interest of exceptional custmer service we will reach out to assist with a resolution to this matter.

  Regards,

  Fischer Homes 

  Cincinnati

• Initial Complaint

  10/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  New home purchased in 2016. Several electrical issues. Most recently an electrician came out and the breaker box and some wiring needs replaced for fire hazard. Was informed the boxed installed by KEP electric who Fischer Homes use are not of quality. The cost of repairs is $8313. This is a safety/fire hazard and could have been devastating for my family and potentially neighbors as houses are close. With the home only being 8 years old, I contacted Fischer Homes ************ was informed 1 year warranty so nothing they could do and then they referred me to KEP electric ************ who did the electrical on the new build. I contacted them and was informed 2 years but they would talk to their supervisor. I received a call back and was informed nothing they can do. I feel this is a safety issue for the entire neighborhood if the boxes being installed are like the one I have to get replaced. I will make sure to let everyone in the neighborhood I can know and have already talked with a neighbor who had similar issues that I have and had to get their box replaced. If this can't be resolved through this avenue I will contact an attorney and contact local news. This doesn't seem fair and good business at all, again with an 8 year old home. I have read complaints with Fischer and their overall BBB rating speaks for itself.

  Business response

  10/08/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  

  Although Fischer Homes has not been in this home since the warranty expired over seven years ago, we are willing to review the allegation submitted by our customer. Unfortunately, we’re unable to read the documentation on the exhibits that were sent in by the customer.
  We will have a Customer Relations team member reach out to him for more detailed information about this matter.
  
  Regards,
  Fischer Homes
  Columbus

  Business response

  12/19/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  Fischer Homes and KEP Electric did contact SAFE Electric, and they were able to answer a few questions, but they could not produce the electric panel that they alleged had issues. The panel has a lifetime warranty and could have been sent to the manufacturer for evaluation. We're unsure why SAFE Electric would not have either maintained possession or sent the panel into the manufacturer knowing it has a lifetime warranty.
  
  Fischer Homes and KEP Electric have answered all of the allegations of why SAFE Electric speculated a full replacement was necessary in an eight-year-old home. If the panel had been produced and diagnosed, we would have had the necessary information to formulate our conclusion on this matter.
  
  We consider this allegation closed. 
  
  Regards,
  
  Fischer Homes
  

  Customer response

  12/27/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and I’m not going to keep going back and forth. It’s obvious Fischer Homes and KEP electric do not want to take any ownership in the situation. I’m also not certain where they get a company would keep a panel that was deemed a hazard and/or send for testing. Even with the lifetime warranty, I’m not sure anyone was aware. I will share my experiences with others when they mention being interested in purchasing a home from this business. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ****
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We closed on a newly built Fischer Home in March of 2021. Prior to closing we had a final inspection on the house and everything looked OK. What we were NOT told by the Fischer manager was that the furnace had been compromised by the Fischer builder allowing drywall and concrete dust to accumulate in our furnace. As we lived in the house for the first year we were unaware of this condition and therefore did not know to bring it up in the first year "punch list" review. After months beyond this first year review I noticed the furnace fan sounding lowder then it should have sounded. I called the Fischer installer listed on the side of the furnace and he came and cleaned out the furnace fan which was caked with drywall dust. What he didn't tell me at the time was that the exchange coil was also caked and this would become a bigger problem. I thought the situation was fixed when the fan was cleaned but months later the noise came back. I called a different contractor who put a camera into the coil area of the furnace and discovered a significant amount of dust caking the coil. When I called Fischer to ask for their help with this I received a very condescending and dismissive attitude. I was told to send them details, which I did, and they would "get back to me" , which they didn't. I am now faced with a $3000 cost to properly clean the coil or have my relatively new furnace fail at any moment. I am seeking a remedy from Fischer to have their contractor come out and clean my coil and restore my furnace to its proper working order which it should have been at closing.

  Business response

  09/05/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  Fischer Homes appreciates the opportunity to respond to this customer’s submission to you. We have reviewed the matter and determined that the dust he is describing is a common occurrence in a new home. There are a lot of components in a new home that may accentuate the the level of dust. This is one of the main reasons we stress the furnace filter be changed about every two to three months.
  

  Having the furnace checked and cleaned by a professional should be on every homeowner’s annual routine maintenance list. With the home being over three years old, Fischer Homes does not agree that this is a builder issue to remedy.
  
  Regards,
  
  Fischer Homes
  Cincinnati

• Initial Complaint

  06/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We built a new home through Fischer Homes and moved in November 2021. In January 2024, we noticed our water bill tripled. After contacting the water department, we suspected a leak at home. Although no leaks were found inside, we later discovered water dripping outside in March/April 2024. We contacted Fischer Homes about the leak, but they denied investigating because the warranty expired after 12 months. We hired a plumber to fix the leak. Upon excavation, the plumber found a loose brass coupling/connector between the PVC pipe and metal pipe after the water meter. This loose connection appeared to be the source of the leak, which likely existed for a while. (Attach pictures here) Investigating our water bills further, we discovered a potential timeline for the leak. The bill remained around $100 per month from November 2021TIme when we moved into this home) to June 2022. It then increased to around $150 by June 2022 and ranged from $220 to $250 from August 2022 onwards. The significant jump to $436 in February 2024 prompted our investigation. This evidence suggests the leak began around June 2022, within six months of moving into the new home. This points to a defect in workmanship, not wear and tear. We incurred a total cost of $3,500 to repair the leak and $816 to locate it. We contacted Fischer Homes again, providing detailed information about the issue, water bills, pictures of the defective coupling, and explaining how this wasn't wear and tear. Unfortunately, Fischer Homes refuses to reimburse us, citing the expired warranty. We are seeking assistance from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to pursue reimbursement from Fischer Homes for the repair costs. Please let us know if you require further information.

  Business response

  06/20/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,

  This matter was reviewed at the time the loss occured, and it was obviuos that the copper connection was melted. The first assumption was it had been compromised by a surge from a lightning strike, but it could be due to a stray current from a rectifier that protects major state to state underground gas pipelines. The homeowner was advised to contact their homeowner's insurance after our field team investigated it. The melted connection due to an act of god scenerio is not a warrantable claim.

  Regards,

  Fischer Homes 

  **********

   

  Business response

  07/02/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  Again, Fischer Homes did review this claim at the time the loss occured, and it was determined that the brass connection was compromised from an electric surge. This is most evident In image 3.jpg. 

  The homeowner was advised to contact their homeowner's insurance after our field team investigated it. The melted connection due to an act of god scenerio is not a warrantable claim. 
  

  Regards,
  

  Fischer Homes 
  **********

  Customer response

  08/08/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.
  

  Fishers  has not even seen throughly the brass connector pipe. It did not melt due to electric surge. The force of water leak at the connector created the run in the brass pipe/connector.

  fishers home is trying to wash their hands and not accepting the flaws in the quality. 
  

  based on my water bills water was leaking probably for more then a year and leak was not visible until it leakage increased and more visible in January 2024.

  I do not agree electric surge or any god created nature caused the issue. Their response is very immature and meaning less.

  there is no electrical connection going from there. The leakage was just within couple of feet’s from the main connection of county water, how can there is electrical surge there. 
  

  please ask them to come and investigate and prove me to that electrical surge.

  I still have the connector sitting with me, I can send this to lab for testing if you want that can prove everything.

  
  Regards,
  
  *** *******

   

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We closed on our home two years this may with Fischer homes. This past weekend we were cooking and our first floor filled with smoke. We went to fan our smoke alarm and could not find out. We then realized Fischer homes did not install a fire alarm in our entire first floor. This is a huge urgent safety matter. We have attempted to reach out and no one will respond to us to fix dangerous safety matter. I am nervous to sleep until I get a fire alarm installed to insure the safety of my family. They also gave us the wrong lot we chose and paid for. The built our house on the wrong lot with a hill in the back yard they then tried to “make it up to us” by installing vinyl flooring which is already coming apart. This company is not being held accountable for the wrong things they do.

  Business response

  05/20/2024

  Fischer Homes reached out to our customer the same day that we received this information. Our ********** Customer Care Manager (CCM) made an onsite visit and confirmed the 1st floor smoke detector was not installed per plan. It was wired correctly, but covered up by the drywall trade partner. The five smoke detectors and two combo-carbon monoxide/smoke detectors were in place on the second floor. 

  The CCM purchased a few battery-plugin type smoke detectors and scheduled the electricians for the next day. The smoke detector is know installed.

  We apologize for this error, and have spoken with our drywall trade partner about the matter

  Regards,

  Fischer Homes
  

  ********** Division

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a home owner of fisher homes build property in *********** community *******. My back yard is not up to the grade. they laid it in a slant way in such a way that my neighbors rainwater/sprinkler water flows into my yard. They say it is homeowners responsibility to maintain the yard and control soil erosion. I don't know how they expect me to control the neighbors yard water flow. I am not able to use my yard for my use as yard is mostly wet.

  Business response

  05/16/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  

  Fischer Homes had a Construction Manager make an onsite visit to review the concern that our customer recently submitted. He has reported back the following.

  For proper drainage in the community an engineered swale was installed at the rear of the properties. That said, there is drainage from other homes that develop into this swale before it reaches the home of the conerned customer.  We've attached a marked a plot plan to indicate this. There is also a home on the upside of the swale that has newly laid sod and it's being watered frequently. It's just the natural path for that water to run through the swale. 

  Yard establishment would greatly benefit this situation. We've also attached photos of the swale and the topographical path of the water flow. 
  
  Thank you for allowing Fischer Homes to review and respond to this matter. 

   

  Regards,

   

  Fischer Homes

  Cincinnati

  Customer response

  05/21/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ******** *******

  regarding complaint id ********. My issue is not resolved. what the fisher home team replied is what my problem. 1. the swale they mentioned is wide and water getting stagnated and forming fungus. 2. they made the yard slant to flow water into swale, which is washing the seed and soil. 3. from the place where the water from the swale(water from neighbors yard) and my yards water outlets(sump pump and gutters water) joins, as water flow is more, it is washing off soil and forming dips, which causing water to stagnate. for the above reasons my back yard(the wide swale area) is unused, out of my control, got to spend more time and money.

  Dear Business, 

  Can you clarify if the business has an exact timeframe they will be able to finish the work for the consumer? Thank you for your response

  Business response

  05/31/2024

  Fischer Homes has requested our division Contruction Manager to make a site visit to review this matter with our customer.

  Customer response

  06/28/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.
  
  Fischer home site manager contacted me directly and his manager on phone. but, they didn't offer a permanent solution.
  
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ******** *******
  

  Business response

  07/30/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,

  The topography of the community results in three yards being upstream from our customer, and when it rains water sheds into her backyard.  Fischer Homes has offered to place silt logs as a temporary measure to help with the water flow while the grass is establishing. We also installed straw matting at one point to assist with establishing root structure, but it must be managed well for it to take.
  

  Fischer Homes has offered solutions to assist with the process. It’s up to our customer to accept the offer and manage their property. We believe this is the path to a permanent solution.  

  Attached is the contractual agreement Drainage, Yard Seeding, Sodding and Landscaping. 

   

  Regards,

   

  Fischer Homes

  Cincinnati

• Initial Complaint

  04/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  For over 2 years I was adamant about building with Fischer Homes. When I wasn't able to, I pursued purchasing a home that had already been built. When that feel through, I was told I would get my deposit back. I have reached out to several offices and associates after the fact with no response. I just want my deposit. I was supposed to get it back and now no one wants to communicate.

  Business response

  04/12/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,

  Fischer Homes and the prospective purchaser have worked out an amicable resolution. 

   

  Regards,

  Fischer Homes

  **********

   

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩