2023 READERS’ FAVORITES
Profiles by Bella Dunn
THE RESULTS ARE IN! Earlier this spring, HOME magazine readers cast thousands of votes for their favorite home and garden-related businesses in the area in our annual Readers’ Favorites Awards. Here, we are delighted to share the winners, many of whom won multiple awards in various categories. If you need goods or services for your home, these pages may be a great place to start to find your favorite.
CONTRACTORS, REMODELERS & HOME BUILDERS
ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS
Platinum: Michele Fredericks, Designer
Gold: Dominion Seven
Silver: Glavé & Holmes Architecture
FENCE & RAILING
Platinum: James River Ironworks
Gold: Lynchburg Fence & Railing Company
Silver: Funderburk Ironworks
Silver: Vinyl Porch Rail Co.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Platinum: L.G. Flint
Gold: Collins Siding & Windows
Silver: F&S Building Innovations
HOME BUILDER
Platinum: L.G. Flint
Gold: Collins Siding & Windows
Silver: Frank Good Builders
HOME REMODELING/RENOVATION
Platinum: L.G. Flint
Gold: Collins Siding & Windows
Silver: Capstone Design & Build
IRON WORKS/WELDER
Platinum: James River Ironworks
Gold: Funderburk Ironworks
Silver: Bailey Spencer Hardware
ROOFING
Platinum: Cenvar Roofing
Gold: Collins Siding & Windows
Silver: McCarty Roofing
SOLAR ENERGY CONTRACTORS
Platinum: Earth Right Mid-Atlantic
Gold: Affordable Energy Concepts
Silver: Main Street Solar
Photo: James River Media
With energy costs increasing, more homeowners are looking to solar power and solar roofing options. Earth Right Mid-Atlantic provides both roofing and solar installation services for Central Virginians.
“That’s something that makes us stand out,” says Bo Stawicki, Earth Right Mid-Atlantic Director of Roofing. “We are the first to offer the GAF solar shingle … When you install these shingles your whole roof may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit.”
Timberline Solar™ shingles from GAF Energy are the first nailable solar shingle, so it is aesthetically pleasing and protective. Earth Right’s solar and energy efficiency divisions provide customized solar packages, roof and ground mounts, power-bill relief, new roof options and power back-up options.
Stawicki also highlights their warranties, flexible financing and excellent customer service. Their 15-year financing option can make a new roof, even a solar roof, possible with a low monthly payment. “We’re growing immensely by good word of mouth,” Stawicki says. “We’re seeing a huge interest in solar right now.”
Additionally, the Earth Right team assesses your home’s overall efficiency and can offer installation of energy-reducing products such as solar attic fans and a barrier for the attic to reduce heat buildup. Their energy efficiency approach helps homeowners cut down on energy waste, lower power bills, increase home comfort and extend the life of their roof and HVAC systems.
Earth Right’s goal is “to provide all of our customers with a seamless and stress-free installation process, and provide homeowner education at the same time.” Learn more at erepower.com.
GARDEN & LANDSCAPE
GARDEN SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES
Platinum: Huckleberry Knob Nursery
Gold: Gary’s Garden Center
Silver: George’s Seed, Feed & Grow Shop
LANDSCAPE AND HARDSCAPE DESIGN & BUILD
Platinum: Lynchburg Landscapes
Gold: Land Tech Group
Gold: Southern Landscape Group
Silver: Heckman Landworks
LAWN & LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
Platinum: Lynchburg Lawn Care
Gold: Bass Sod Farm
Silver: Southern Landscape Group
NURSERIES
Platinum: Huckleberry Knob Nursery
Gold: Gary’s Garden Center
Silver: Virginia Garden Supply
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Platinum: Virginia Furniture Market
Gold: Bailey Spencer Hardware
Silver: Grand Home Furnishings
Silver: Indoor Outdoor Living
PORCHES & DECKS
Platinum: Collins Siding & Windows
Gold: Southern Landscape Group
Silver: Vinyl Porch Rail Co.
SPA & HOT TUB SALES AND SERVICE
Platinum: Water By Design
Gold: Perry Pools & Spas
Silver: Aqua Pros
STONE, BRICK AND HARDSCAPE MATERIALS
Platinum: Huckleberry Knob Nursery
Gold: Scott’s Mulch and More
Silver: Boxley
SWIMMING POOLS
Platinum: Land Tech Group
Gold: Perry Pools & Spas Gold: Southern Landscape Group
Silver: National Pools of Roanoke
TREE SERVICE
Platinum: Bartlett Tree Experts
Gold: The Stump Doctor
Silver: Alto Tree Service
Photo: Courtesy of Land Tech Group
If you’re a Central Virginian dreaming of swimming morning laps or splashing in turquoise waters with the kids, you’ll soon be checking out Land Tech. Specializing in outdoor environments, Land Tech provides custom design and installation, for new and renovated swimming pools, landscapes, hardscapes/masonry, water features and outdoor living areas.
With 50 years of combined experience in swimming pool and landscape construction, Land Tech is the only in-ground concrete pool contractor in Central Virginia that can install both your pool and surrounding outdoor living area without having to hire sub-contractors. Their concrete pools are comprised of a gunite concrete shell with a smooth plaster interior finish.
“Swimming pools: it’s where we stand out. It’s the full project from hardscaping to landscaping, masonry and design,” said Land Tech President Wayne Melancon. “About 98 percent of everything is done in-house.” Land Tech is a licensed Class A Building Contractor.
Part of the design process includes creating renderings and 3D models to help clients visualize what their completed project will look like, even simulating lighting and shadows. In Virginia, you can enjoy a pool for up to eight months of the year and add a number of amenities, including waterfalls and hardscapes, to create your own resort experience.
“You are adding that outdoor living area but you’re also adding to the overall enjoyment and value to your home,” Melancon said. “We’ve put in a lot of water features that customers enjoy. I had one customer who said, ‘Every night I leave the window open and I feel like I’m at the beach.’” Learn more at landtechgroup.com.
HOME FURNISHINGS, INTERIOR DESIGN AND DÉCOR
ANTIQUES
Platinum: Estates Revisited
Gold: Blue Ridge Antique Center
Silver: Ashwood Manor Designs
Silver: Estates & Consignments
APPLIANCES
Platinum: Hailey’s Appliance
Gold: Ferguson
Silver: Vinton Appliance Center
ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE
Platinum: Bailey Spencer Hardware
Gold: Black Dog Salvage
Silver: McCraw’s Furniture Co.
ART GALLERY/STUDIO
Platinum: Findings Art Gallery
Gold: Academy Center of the Arts
Silver: AR Workshop
BLINDS & WINDOW TREATMENTS
Platinum: Curtains, Blinds & Bath
Gold: Decorating Den Interiors
Silver: James T. Davis
CABINETRY, KITCHEN & BATH
Platinum: Piedmont Floor Show
Gold: Spectrum Stone Designs
Silver: Kitchen Crafters of VA
CONSIGNMENT FURNITURE
Platinum: On Second Thought
Gold: Next Time Consignment
Silver: Cha Charming Estate Sales and Staging
COUNTERTOPS
Platinum: Spectrum Stone Designs
Gold: Piedmont Floor Show
Silver: Stonecrafters
FLOORING
Platinum: Piedmont Floor Show
Gold: All Sealed Up
Silver: Central Virginia Flooring
Photo: James River Media
Quality in both craftsmanship and customer service is a priority with Spectrum Stone Designs, a natural stone fabricator located in Central Virginia. Whatever your stone needs, they deliver marble, quartz and granite countertops, sinks, fireplace surrounds, backsplashes and more, all at affordable prices. They are a direct importer and fabricator of natural stone, which helps them offer customers the luxury of natural stone at a lower cost.
“We do our best to make customers feel at ease and confident in their choices,” says Page Hastings-Neal, owner of Spectrum Stone Designs. They start with a top-quality piece of stone and use precision templating before expertly cutting and polishing and installing a stone masterpiece.
Spectrum Stone Designs takes a personal approach to meeting the needs of clients. “We deal with customers one-on-one, and each job is taken with great care to ensure the best job and highest quality in product and service,” Hastings-Neal says. They stay with their customers throughout the whole construction process and do not use subcontractors.
While the company prides itself on its excellent customer service, they also ensure that their technology continuously improves. “We have state-of-the-art equipment brand new this year, which increases accuracy and turnaround time for the customer,” states Hastings-Neal.
Serving Central Virginia, Spectrum Stone Designs offers showrooms at 12209 Richmond Hwy, Concord, and 1076 Corporate Park Dr., Forest. Learn more at spectrumstonedesigns.com.
FURNITURE
Platinum: BVA Mercantile
Gold: Decorating Den Interiors
Silver: Virginia Furniture Market
HOME ACCESSORIES & GIFTS
Platinum: BVA Mercantile
Gold: Accents
Gold: Curtains, Blinds & Bath
Silver: Bloom by Doyle’s
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Platinum: Decorating Den Interiors
Gold: Curtains, Blinds & Bath
Silver: Sarah Girten Interior Design
PAINT & PAINTING SUPPLIES
Platinum: Sherwin Williams
Gold: James T. Davis
Silver: Benjamin Moore Paints & Design Center
RUGS
Platinum: Piedmont Floor Show
Gold: Decorating Den Interiors
Silver: Curtains, Blinds & Bath
Silver: Persian Rugs & More
UPHOLSTERY
Platinum: Phil’s Upholstery
Gold: Ashwood Manor Designs
Silver: Ferguson Upholstery
WALLPAPER
Platinum: Mahones Wallpaper Shop
Gold: James T. Davis
Silver: Ashwood Manor Designs
WOODWORKING & TRIM
Platinum: Midtown Millworks
Gold: JMK Construction Renovation Solutions
HOME LIVING OPTIONS
APARTMENT LIVING
Platinum: Palisades at Hunter’s Creek
Platinum: The Gardens on Timberlake
Gold: The Gables of Cornerstone
Silver: Overlook at Stonemill
HOME HEALTH PROVIDERS
Platinum: Visiting Angels
Gold: TheKey
Silver: EnHabit
RETIREMENT LIVING COMMUNITIES
Platinum: Westminster Canterbury
Gold: The Summit
Silver: Runk & Pratt
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL
BANK
Platinum: First National Bank
Gold: Bank of the James
Silver: First Bank & Trust Company
Silver: Select Bank
CREDIT UNION
Platinum: Your Community Credit Union, Central Virginia
Gold: Freedom First Credit Union
Silver: Beacon Credit Union
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Platinum: Abe Loper, Loper Financial
Gold: First National Advisors
Silver: Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
HOME INSURANCE
Platinum: Blue Ridge Insurance
Platinum: Chip Harvey, State Farm Insurance
Gold: Baughman & Associates
Gold: Goosehead Insurance
Silver: Rob Chapman, State Farm Insurance
MORTGAGE LENDING COMPANY
Platinum: First National Bank
Gold: Bank of the James, Mortgage
Silver: Freedom First Credit Union
MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICERS
Platinum: Courtney Woody
Gold: Rhonda Holt
Gold: Tracie Gallahan
Silver: Jeff Walker
REAL ESTATE COMPANY
Platinum: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Dawson Ford Garbee & Co. Realtors
Gold: Karl Miller Realty
Silver: Divine Fog Realty Company
REALTORS
Platinum: Tammi Moore
Gold: Robert Dawson
Silver: Cindi Parsons
Photo: James River Media
First National Bank, headquartered in Altavista, has been serving its neighbors in Central Virginia for more than 115 years. Today, it operates 18 branches in the Greater Lynchburg region, Danville, Pittsylvania County and Charlottesville.
Established in 1908, First National Bank experienced significant growth in 2020 after completing a merger with the former Virginia Bank & Trust of Danville. The combined entity has nearly 200 years of community banking experience and is focused specifically on personal relationships with clients and meaningful community involvement.
President and CEO Todd Hall says customers feel the difference when they bank locally, and at First National, the commitment to providing extraordinary service is “non-negotiable.” “Customers want to work with individuals they know and trust that provide friendly service, are willing to help and can be counted on,” he says.
First National Bank’s mission is “to exceed the needs and expectations of our customers, communities served and shareholders by delivering superior service and quality financial products through a knowledgeable, motivated staff and effective technology.”
First National offers a wide array of financial and lending services for individuals and businesses, including online banking, cash management and investment services. They are conservatively managed, but also progressive-minded and committed to remaining up-to-date with technological advancements and digital channels. Hall commented, “We are a full-service financial institution providing traditional retail banking products and services with a strong presence in the commercial and small business space.” Learn more at 1stnatbk.com.
SERVICE PROVIDERS & MATERIALS
CARPET AND RUG CLEANING
Platinum: Kidd’s Restoration & Cleaning Services
Gold: Stanley Steemer
Silver: Persian Rugs & More
CRAWLSPACE, WATERPROOFING AND FOUNDATION REPAIR
Platinum: Fortress Foundation Solutions
Gold: JES Foundation Repair
Silver: Level Up Foundation Solutions
DRIVEWAY REPAIR & SEALING
Platinum: Lynchburg Sealcoating & Lawn Care
Gold: Young Sealcoating
Silver: Mr. Pave
ELECTRICAL
Platinum: Wired Up Electrical
Gold: Maddox Air & Electrical
Silver: Bower Heating & Air
Silver: Hill City Electrical Services
ESTATE SALES
Platinum: Estates & Consignments
Gold: Estates Revisted
EXTERIOR HOME CLEANING SERVICES
Platinum: All Washed Up
Gold: H2O Home Improvements
Silver: American House Wash
Photo: Courtesy of Fortress Foundation Solutions
There are few woes a homeowner dreads more than a compromised foundation, a repeatedly flooded basement or an increasingly worse mold issue. These issues are not only a nuisance, but also dangerous. That’s where Fortress Foundation Solutions lives up to its name: solutions for all your “basementy” needs!
Fortress Foundation Solutions, which serves Virginia and Maryland homeowners, offers basement waterproofing, crawlspace encapsulation, concrete lifting and leveling and foundation repair. They pride themselves on responsive customer service; free, no-obligation estimates; proven products; long-lasting craftsmanship and leaving a home clean after service.
“We truly try to set ourselves apart with how we treat our customers — we are setting the bar high,” says Laci Harvey, General Manager. “We are working in people’s homes, which is often their greatest investment, and we want to give the customer the respect they deserve.”
Harvey says you’ll get a real person on the line when you call. The team will show up when they say they will and will follow through to get the job done efficiently and effectively.
Customers also get the peace of mind of guarantees backed locally by Fortress Foundation Solutions and nationally by Basement Systems and SupportWorks. Along with standing by its guarantees, Fortress Foundation Solutions benefits from national training and proven waterproofing and foundation systems.
“So we are a local company but we have access to hundreds of other dealers to learn from and glean from,” Harvey says. “Throughout any customer experience you will be communicated with at all layers of the company. We pride ourselves in doing what we say we’re going to do.”
Learn more at fortressfoundationsolutions.com.
FIREPLACE & CHIMNEY SERVICES
Platinum: Francis Oil & Propane
Gold: Black Goose Chimney Service
Silver: Foster Fuels
GARAGE DOORS
Platinum: Lynchburg Garage Door
Gold: DoorTek Garage Door Service
Silver: Lynchburg Overhead Door
GUTTERS
Platinum: The Brothers That Just Do Gutters
Gold: Collins Siding & Windows
Silver: Gutters & Guards
HANDYMAN
Platinum: Wright Choice Construction
Gold: JMK Construction Renovation Solutions
Silver: Your Maintenance Man, LLC
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Platinum: Davis Heating & Cooling
Gold: Browns Heating, Air & Plumbing
Silver: Ideal Comfort
Silver: Maddox Air & Electrical
Silver: Mills Heating & Air
HOME CLEANING SERVICES
Platinum: Pink Ladies Cleaning Services
Gold: Blue Ridge Make Ready Services
HOME FUEL COMPANIES
Platinum: Francis Oil & Propane
Gold: Foster Fuels
Silver: Watts Petroleum
Photo: James River Media
Picture the perfect Christmas scene straight out of a storybook. Ham, turkey, little packages tied up with string. All your friends and family gathered in one place. Chestnuts roasting on the open — wait. Where is the fire? When Francis Oil got a call from a family whose heat was not working on Christmas Day, they left their own holiday meal to go help.
“We understood how important that was,” says Laura Francis Borel, sales and marketing director. This is just one way her family business “always treats every customer like family.”
Francis Oil has grown with its Central Virginia hometown since 1956. The business started with neighbors, small shops and tobacco farms — making sure farmers had the fuel they needed for their curing — but has grown to provide full service to homeowners and businesses in the area.
“We have pictures in the office of years that have gone by in the area,” says Laura. “People love to come by and see it.”
Francis Oil serves a 60-80 mile area and stays loyal to that. “We have stayed local. We are very loyal to our customer base. We serve a lot of locally owned businesses,” says Laura.
That loyalty expands beyond just location. Francis Oil emphasizes its importance in offering full service and easy access for customers.
Part of that access comes from having a direct line to the owners “at any given time” by not having a robot messaging system. “When you call us, you talk to a real person,” says Sandra Francis. “In our business, we’re keeping it real by being a small business. It is a personal customer service experience.”
The Francis Oil family, consisting of many dedicated employees and one happy goldendoodle, stays true to their mission of helping every individual customer feel like family. Learn more at francisoil.com.
MOVING AND STORAGE
Platinum: My Guys Moving and Storage
Gold: American Moving & Storage
PAINTING
Platinum: Love Painting
Gold: C.S. Schrader Painting
Silver: Harris Painting
PEST CONTROL
Platinum: Dodson Pest Control
Gold: Specialty Exterminating
Silver: Kyle Unruh’s Pest Pros
PLUMBING
Platinum: Plumb Care Plumbing
Gold: Tyree Plumbing, Inc.
Silver: Roto-Rooter
Silver: Your Maintenance Man, LLC
WATER & FIRE RESTORATION AND CLEAN-UP
Platinum: Kidd’s Restoration & Cleaning
Gold: SERVPRO
Silver: AquaSpores
Silver: Rainbow Restoration
WINDOWS & DOORS
Platinum: Collins Siding & Windows
Gold: Bailey Spencer Hardware
Silver: K Guard/One Stop Home Improvement Shop
ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS, CONTRACTORS, fence, financial, Gold winner, HOME BUILDERS, home décor, home furnishings, HOME LIVING OPTIONS, Interior Design, landscape, materials, Platinum winner, Railing, Readers’ Favorite, real estate, REMODELERS, roofing, SERVICE PROVIDERS, silver winner, SOLAR ENERGY CONTRACTORS
