Mike grew up in Catonsville, just four miles from Ellicott City, and knows the area well. After living in the area for more than 20 years, Mike relocated to Westminster in Carroll County. A true people person, Mike enjoys working with homeowners and property managers to help them improve the beauty and longevity of their property. Mike shares the principles of Fichtner Services, which are customer service and quality.

Fichtner Services recently completed a commercial roofing project in the Clarksville area for a major national restaurant chain. It is important for a commercial contractor to communicate well with other contractors and complete work on schedule and on budget. Mike enjoys working on commercial projects because it allows him and his crew to use materials like metal roofing that aren’t incorporated into the everyday residential project.

In addition, Fichtner Services works with a number of custom home builders in the Ellicott City area, giving them the ability to work on exciting projects with a range of materials including green and recycled materials. Recycled materials, says Mike are very appealing to the environmentally conscious homeowner. Eco Star is a manufacturer of recycled home improvement products offered by Fichtner Services. Using recycled rubber and plastic, they create natural looking, imitation slate and cedar roofing.

Above all, says Mike, customer service is what differentiates Fichtner Services from other contractors. “There are many other contractors who sell the same products we do, but it is what you do with the product and what you provide for the client after the installation that differentiates Fichtner Services.”

Learn more about how Fichtner Services can improve the value and beauty of your home, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Hurricane and Earthquake Damage - What to Look For:

• Missing Shingles or Ridge Vent
• Missing or Loose Siding or Trim
• Overflowing or Loose Gutters
• Wet Spots or Sagging Ceilings or Walls Inside Home
• Debris Embedded Through Roof or Siding
• Blown Off Chimney Caps
• Cracked Windows
• Cracked Foundation or Brick Chimney

Some of the damage from the earthquake or hurricane may seem insignificant, but even the tiniest problems can lead to big trouble if left unfixed. With the winter months coming, rain, snow and cold air can enter your home through small holes in the roof or siding, potentially causing major damage. Also, water can seep into cracks in the foundation or brick and freeze in cold months, worsening the damage.

Fichtner Services has been working with homeowners throughout Annapolis and Baltimore, providing emergency repair service for those affected by the earthquake and hurricane. Some repairs may be covered by your homeowners insurance.
If you think that your home has damage from the earthquake or hurricane, contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation and inspection.

“Customer service,” says Bill, “is a top priority for Fichtner Services. We provide quality service and stand behind our work to make sure the customer is satisfied.” Changes in the housing market have forced many homeowners to reconsider their future plans. Instead of selling their house and moving to a bigger one, many people are investing in their current property, making upgrades and additions. This, says Bill makes the home more comfortable but also adds value and curb appeal.

Bill says that one of the ways a homeowner can add to both the beauty and value of their home is through replacement siding. Fichtner Services offers a range of products to fit every style and budget. Fichtner Services is a preferred installer for James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding. This premium product is touted as the #1 return on investment according to the Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine. Certainteed is another manufacturer that Fichtner Services carries. Certainteed offers a range of affordable and attractive, worry free products including vinyl siding and shake and shingle siding. With a siding upgrade to your home, you not only add beauty and value, but you also add protection to your home from weather.

 Roofing upgrades and improvements, says Bill, are another sure way to add to the value of your home and improve curb appeal. Fichtner Services is a GAF Master Elite Contractor, an honor held by less than 3% of roofing contractors nationwide. GAF offers a variety of shingle roofing to give your home a custom look. GAF products also carry the best warranties in the industry, backed by Fichtner Services excellent installation practices.

Replacing windows and doors is another way to improve your home’s appearance and value. Bill likes the Cutting Edge replacement windows which carry a replacement glass warranty. He says they are attractive, affordable and easy to clean and maintain. Velux skylights and sun tunnels are another excellent addition to a home, providing natural light and beauty. Replacement windows and skylights can also help your home be more energy efficient.

Another popular product is Leaf Relief which is installed to the gutters of a home. Leaf Relief is a powder coated screen that goes over the gutter, keeping leaves and debris from clogging the gutter, allowing rain water to run in smoothly and be carried away from the house. Bill says that Leaf Relief saves homeowners from the much avoided chore of cleaning out the gutters. It is important that your gutters perform effectively to keep water running away from your house and prevent leaking or flooding.
Learn more about how Fichtner Services can improve the value and beauty of your home, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

“Never underestimate the value of having a great roof over your head,” says Tom Fichtner of Fichtner Services. Many homeowners take their roof for granted and don’t keep up with maintenance which can lead to expensive repairs down the road. Replacing your roof and upgrading materials is a great way to improve the value of your home. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, you’ll want to seriously consider replacing your roof. Potential buyers want to know that they won’t have to invest in basic improvements and maintenance. If they find out your roof leaks, they may offer significantly less money or back off entirely.

Today’s roofing materials are better than ever.  Fichtner Services offers a wide range of choice in material including shingle roofing, cedar roofing and metal roofing to fit every need and budget. According to the Remodeling 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), roofing replacement in the South Atlantic region, which includes Maryland, has an average of 67.3% cost recouped.

Siding Replacement

Another great investment you can make in home improvements is in siding replacement. The Cost vs. Value Report cites this as another area with significant cost recouping potential. According to the recent report, Vinyl Siding Replacement averages 76.5% return on investment while Fiber Cement Siding Replacement averages 85.4% return on investment.

“Replacing the siding on your home accomplishes a number of goals for the homeowner,” explains Fichtner, “First, it can improve the appearance of the home or change the look all together. But second, and arguably more importantly, siding protects your home from the elements.” Fichtner Services offers an extensive selection of siding options from vinyl to James Hardie cement board to cedar siding.

Windows and Doors

Upgrading windows and doors can add to the value of your home and save you money at the same time. “Old windows and doors are one of the leading causes for energy loss in a home, making these simple upgrades can save you money on your energy bill and improve your home’s value at the same time,” says Fichtner.

A Baltimore homeowner had this to say about recent window replacement by Fichtner Services, “The work was done in a timely manner and really enhanced our home. The crew was professional and took care of protecting the inside of our home during the installation of the windows. They actually uncovered damage from ice damming and without hesitation, cut out the damage and corrected the flashing and tyvek as part of the window installation.”

Vinyl window replacement averages 77.3% cost recouped according to the Cost Vs. Value report and Steel Entry Door Replacement has a stunning average of 135% cost recouped.

Deck Addition

Adding a deck to your home is a great way to create additional living space. A deck can be enjoyed year round for entertaining friends and family or as a back yard sanctuary where you can enjoy nature’s sights and sounds. A deck can also improve the value of your home. According to Smart Money, a deck is one of the most cost-efficient ways to add square footage to a house and provides reliable value.

With decks, you have a number of options. Wood decks are the traditional choice for homeowners. Fichtner Services offers a full line of wood decks including treated, western red cedar and IPE. The national average for cost recouped on wood decks is 77.3%, down slightly from the previous year (79.8%). Another choice is composite decks. This low maintenance material is a popular choice, it won’t splinter or rot and only requires occasional washing with a garden hose and deck cleaner to keep it looking fresh. Composite decks come backed by outstanding manufacturers guarantees and are available in a variety of colors and styles to enhance your home.

Invest wisely in your home, choose home improvements that will not only add to the beauty of your home, but increase its longevity and contribute to its overall value. It is important that you select a trusted professional contractor when making improvements to your home. Fichtner Services has an outstanding reputation for high quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Contact Fichtner Services to learn more about value adding improvements you can make to your home.

Having your roof, siding and gutters examined by Fichtner Services before the storms come can save you money in the long run. Our crews are experienced in detecting weaknesses in your roof, looking for loose shingles, damage and hidden roof leaks. As part of our roof inspection, we check the gutters to make sure that they are free of debris and functioning properly to divert water away from your roof and house.  We also evaluate your home’s siding to make sure that it is adequate and stable. Small problems only worsen over time and can turn into major issues if they aren’t dealt with right away.

Fichtner Services is a full service roofing contractor. We can handle any roofing project from roof repairs and roof maintenance to roofing replacement. The three most important factors in a roof system are aesthetics, durability and water-tightness. Our team will help you select the best roof for your home.

Gutters are an important component of any roofing system. A variety of materials for gutters are available to give your house the look you want while serving an important role to collect water run off from the roof and divert it away from your home, keeping you dry from roof to foundation.

When it comes to siding, Fichtner Services offers a wide range of materials. From vinyl siding to James Hardie cement fiber siding to cedar siding, we can help you select a look to suit your look and lifestyle. Fichtner Services also provides trim packages and siding repair services to keep your house in top condition.

Fichtner Services provides Weather Protection For Your Home. Make sure your house is ready for summer storms. Contact Fichtner Services for a roof and siding inspection today!

Joe lives with his wife and daughters in a ranch house that could not accommodate his new health requirements. In order to become handicap-accessible and help enable Joe to become more independent, the Scalfani’s house needed wider doorways, an additional bathroom with a special shower stall that would alleviate the need for bed baths, access ramps installed throughout the house and exterior, and a new addition on the house that would allow for one floor efficiency.

After learning of the program, GAF donated Timberline® Ultra HD™ shingles in Pewter Gray towards the new addition, and GAF Master Elite™ contractor, Fichtner Services, offered their services to install the roof, as well as a GAF Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty.

“Joe has always been a consummate professional in how he went about his business. But even more than that, he became a friend,” said Thomas Fichtner of Fichtner Services. “Friends help each other out when they are in need, so doing the roof for the Sclafani family was an easy decision.”

Joe continues to go through extensive physical therapy and is showing great progress. His family is extremely grateful for the contributions of everyone who donated their time and materials towards his updated home.

About GAF

Now proudly celebrating its 125th year in the industry, GAF has become the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, with sales of nearly $3 billion annually. The company’s products include a comprehensive portfolio of steep-slope and low-slope roofing systems, as well as composite decking, which are supported by an extensive national network of factory-certified contractors. Its success is driven by a commitment to provide property owners and specifiers with the best and safest choice in roofing and by helping supportive contractors and distributors to build their businesses and avoid hassles.

With a focus on social responsibility, GAF has developed single-ply and asphaltic membranes with superior durability and high reflectivity to meet the most rigorous industry standards while helping commercial property owners and designers reduce energy consumption.

The Company also supports the roofing industry through CARE, the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence, which has provided education to over 100,000 professionals. CARE’s mission is to help professional contractors and distributors build their businesses through sales and management education, and to provide product and installation training to contractors, distributors, architects, property owners, and related industry personnel. For more information about GAF, visit www.gaf.com.

- Using products that are manufactured to include recycled materials, or are produced in a Green manufacturing process with minimal impact to the environment.

-Installing “Cool” products that have a reflective property, greatly reducing energy used for cooling homes.  Many of these products are eligible for tax rebates as well.  Look for the Energy Star logo.

-Going Solar!  Install solar powered attic fans or hot water heaters and watch your energy bills drop!

-Installing energy efficient windows, doors, suntunnels and skylights.

-Installing attic insulation is the best bang for your energy dollar. 

-Making sure that your home is properly vented- this is important for year-round energy efficiency and comfort.

-Choosing building products that will stand the test of time, keeping unnecessary waste out of the landfills. For example, GAF makes a variety of lifetime shingles, meaning that this could be the only roof you ever install on your home.  Other long-lasting options would include fiber cement siding and metal roofing.

 By choosing wisely, homeowners can do their part to save the environment and save money too!  At Fichtner Services we recommend that you don’t just renovate, you GREENOVATE!

Now that spring is finally arriving, it’s time to get outside and see what Old Man Winter has done to your home.  Wind, snow, ice and the freeze-thaw cycle can take their toll on your home’s protective shell.  Here is a checklist of things to look for:

Roof:

- Are there curling, blistering and broken shingles?  This usually indicates the end of the shingles’ life expectancy.
- Is there loose material at chimneys, pipes and other roof penetrations?
- Is there shingle grain in gutters?  This gives added weight and protection from the UV rays.
- Are there wet areas on the inside of your home indicating roof or siding leaks?

Gutters:

- Are the gutters overflowing?
- Are they coming away from the house, sagging or dipping?
- Are they full of debris?  Now is a good time to have Leaf Relief gutter guards installed.

Siding:

- Are there any loose or cracked pieces of siding or trim?
- Is there any rotten wood, including window and door trim, soffit and fascia?
- Are the caulk joints around windows and doors cracked?

Windows:

- Are your windows drafty or uninsulated?
- Have the seals failed allowing moisture between the panes?
- Are they hard to open and close properly?

Now is the time to take care of any issues before they become costly problems.  Fichtner Services can help.   Call us for a FREE ESTIMATE or to schedule a Check-up Service for any of the above items.

“As a company, we are committed to advanced quality, industry-leading expertise, and solutions that make our customers’ lives simple – which is what this warranty upgrade is all about,” stated Bob Tafaro, President and CEO of GAF. “Homeowners will benefit from knowing that their installed shingles are warranted for a lifetime, adding significant value to their home. At a time when Americans are facing so much uncertainty about the future, you can be sure that GAF will be there decades from now to stand by the performance of our roofing products.”

Fichtner Services is especially glad to be able to offer homeowners in Maryland GAF laminated shingle roofing. GAF shingles not only provide superior protection and durability for your roof, but added value and beauty to your home. Only GAF Master Elite Roofers can offer enhanced warranties. Contact Fichtner Services for more details and find out how you can get the last roof you’ll ever need.

Fichtner Services was nominated by Linda Antonini for the Chrysalis House Inc’s Butterfly Boutique in Crownsville, Maryland. Chrysalis House is a nonprofit organization which provides full treatment services to women suffering with the disease of addiction. The Butterfly Boutique was the dream of the girl scout troop 913 from Edgewater, Maryland who wanted to make a difference in the community. The boutique is a 1,700 sq. ft building on the grounds of the Chrysalis House that is used for a resale shop and to teach the residents at the treatment facility job skills so that they may become contributing members of society when they leave the program.

Tom Fichtner generously donated labor services to install the roof for the Butterfly Boutique as well as siding and gutters. In her nomination letter to NRCA, Linda said, “He did not stop there. Mr. Fichtner felt so passionate about our project that he donated a dumpster for us to use during our construction and contacted a Port-a-Potty company to use for the project duration. When we were in a critical stage of framing the roof, Mr. Fichtner came through again (with) carpenters to help ‘raise our roof’.”

Tom Fichtner received his award at the NRCA’s 124th Annual Convention in Las Vegas. The Gold Circle Awards program began in 1995, since then about 100 roofing contractors have been awarded across the following categories: Outstanding Workmanship, Innovative Solutions, Service to the Community, Service to the Industry and Safety.

Fichtner Services is Maryland’s premier roofing contractor, providing a range of roofing options including shingle roofing, cedar roofing, metal roofing and flat roofing. Fichtner Services also provides and installs siding, gutters and decks. In addition, Fichtner Services provides a range of energy saving services.