American Chimney & Fireplace, Inc.

Mike was wonderful to talk to. He showed up on time (Saturday morning) and carefully listened to what we wanted. He gave us lots of ideas and options, and helped us plan how to tackle what is going to be a big and fairly expensive job. We are in the process of trying to figure out what we can do right now, and what might have to wait, but we will definitely consider using Mike when we get ready to do the work.

When he came for the estimate he said if the problem was repointing he would charge one way and if it was rebuilding, it would be another charge and gave us separate estimates and warranties. He sat down and explained everything about the differences. He checked out our other chimney as well. He was being informative and was not trying to push us in any direction. We did not feel like he was trying to hard sell us. When he got up there he gave us a very honest assessment. The guys that came out to do the work were really great. They were exceedingly polite. I felt totally safe around them. They cleaned up very well, and left things better than when they came. You didn't even know they were there.

Although it took several weeks after we accepted their estimate for them to contact us to do the work, it was during their busy season. They arrived promptly when they said they would, were very considerate with covering the floors and furniture, as well as cleaning up their mess when they were done. Mike even took a bit of extra time to make sure that we were didn't have any problems using our new fireplace and notifying us of common safety issues.

He gave us several suggestions for inserts and options (vented, ventless, etc.) and a guesstimate based on what we are looking for, written estimate to follow. We found Mike to be knowledgeable and professional and would definitely feel comfortable using him if we go ahead with this project after the estimate comes in.

This company was the most professional of the 3 I received estimates from. Mike detailed every step and gave us 2 options-aluminum or stainless steel. He inspected the attic where the plaster damage was and the furnace. He gave us a written estimate and brochures on the products. They were also the most expensive of the 3 companies. My husband and I were very impressed, though, overall. We ultimately went in a different direction with this project but would call again with a repair project.

I called American Chimney & Fireplace to inquire about the feasibility of mounting a flat screen TV above my fireplace's gas insert. I found Mr. Kravas to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable, therefore I've decided to place the flat screen somewhere else.

The crew was great, very polite, neat and professional. Mike was easy to work with. We had to change the date twice, once because of my schedule, and once because of the weather. Mike was really accommodating. Best of all, because the job involved less work than originally estimated, Mike knocked $500 off the price!

This past Friday I had a roofer come out and tell me there was a gap in my chimney crown. I called American Chimney & Fireplace, Mike came out took one look without being on the roof and said I should call my roofer, who was the person that told me it was the chimney in the first place. It seems he doesn't want to do small jobs, or at least this job. It is very frustrating that he would not even get on the roof. If he didn't want a small job he should not have come out in the first place.

This behavior is not professional. If you're too busy, just say so. Don't say you'll call back and then not bother.

After interviewing 3 companies on the list to do a moderate amount of chimney repair work, I chose them to do the job. I sent in the signed bid (early April), but never got a call. Two weeks later I called, and was told the work could be done in a month (mid May), depending on weather. Also at that time, we discussed which chimney cap to order. When no one called or came, I called again (late May), and was told the work could be done in mid to late June. This would have been approximately 3 months from my original bid and at least 2 months from the original estimated date of completion. When I complained about the company's timeliness, I was told I didn't understand how weather affected the business, that there were some problems with a truck, and that I could go to the Yellow Pages and find someone else.

I am very pleased with the service I received from American Chimney and Fireplace, Inc. I called the office on 4/9/2008. They returned my call the same day and scheduled an appointment. for 4/12/2008 to diagnose the problem. (When it rains a lot, water drips down into my fireplace.) Mr. Kravas thought that the problem was a chimney cap that was too small. He suggested replacing it with a larger one. He also suggested a water repellent be applied to the outside of the chimney. I agreed and he said he would mail me a proposal. I received the proposal around 4/18/2008. I signed it and sent it back 4/28/2008 so that I could be put on their schedule. The two employees arrived around 8:00 A.M. today (5/27/2008) and installed the chimney cap and water repellent. They were very efficient and polite. When they were finished, they gave me a warranty to mail. Mr. Kravas called my a few hours later to inform that the work was done. He said that if I have anymore leaking to call him and they would address the problem.

When I called them I spoke with Mike Kravis and he said I was too far out and that he didn't come out that far. He did however, refer me to another company. I did call them and I really liked that Mike was honest enough to let me know up front that he couldn't take the job.

I had 5 or 6 different people come and tell us different things that didn't sound right to us. One person said we didn't need anything done and another person said it just needed a hose put down it. We didn't trust any of these companies. The guy that American Chimney and Fireplace sent out was wonderful. He told us that the chimney wasn't safe, because it wasn't built right the first time. He did a beautiful job. We would definitely recommend him to anyone who needs a chimney redone.

American Chimney and Fireplace came on time. The man who came was very knowledgeable about Pittsburgh codes and knew just what he was doing. I did think the price was a little high, but I don't have much to compare it to. I was happy with the quality of the work.

I really enjoyed talking to him when he came and I thought he had some good ideas. He is honest and knowledgeable. We are not sure if we are going to use him to do the work, but we wanted an estimate until we decide exactly what we are going to have done with the both of them. He was a good man and he talked personally. We appreciate the service he provided.

This is one of the cleanest installations we have had. They cleaned up everything at night and when they were done nothing was laying around. I like the fact that they have done what they said they would do. This project was completed in the time that I was told it would be. I would recommend them to any one that would like to have great work done.

Mike Kravas and his assistant did the work. They arrived about 30 minutes before their specified appointment. They finished in little over an hour. Mike Kravas (the owner) is a real expert about chimneys and he becomes very enthusiastic when he describes the technical aspects of what he plans to do and why. He did an excellent job of answering my questions. During the repair he ran into an unexpected difficulty but he stuck by his original cost estimate. I will definitely use his services if ever I experience another chimney problem.

The estimate was higher than the person I hired, which is why they lost my business. They are very knowledgeable about chimney liners.

Super! Very professional. Provided quality work. Our wood burning stove and it's current installation was a challenge. Finally someone who was able to help us out at a very reasonable cost. Highly recommend!

Great! Mike worked around our busy schedule.

EXCELLENT IN EVERY RESPECT. I own an old house (1913), and have had a large amount of work done. I recognize great service and quality work when I see it. Mike Kravas, the owner of American Chimney is a true professional. He was knowledgeable, made the perfect recommendations, was on schedule, did QUALITY WORK, and kept me updated and informed at all times. He was done in two days, and this was not a simple job. The chimney he fixed sits at a 45 degree angle on a three story house. My yard was cleaner when he left than when he came. He paid attention to details, removing and protecting my downspout from clogging, and covering the cellar opening to prevent falling debris to damage the cellar door. He cleaned and neatly stacked the extra bricks in my cellar. I can not say enough good things about Mike and this company. I intend to ask Mike to return next year and install some fireplaces.

Mike was professional, prompt, and willing to accommodate special requests (we wanted to use bricks from the chimney to build raised beds in our garden). He finished slightly ahead of schedule despite delays caused by shoddy work done by the previous owners.

I have called them several times. A week back, someone responded saying they will come Saturday at 9 AM. Nobody showed up. I contacted them, but no response so far. I don't see why they make the list, if the response is so poor.

Contacted Mr. Kravis. Explained the problem I was having with the fireplace making a loud ''whooshing sound'' after it was turned off. Said he was very busy but asked if I was free on Saturday. I replied yes. He said that he would call and let me know if he could come on Saturday. He never called back nor showed up.

WE'RE SO GLAD WE FOUND MIKE! EVERYONE ELSE WANTED TO PUT IN A STAINLESS STEEL LINER, WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. THIS WAS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT AGREED TO DO THINGS THE WAY WE WANTED, REBUILT THE WHOLE THING, CHANGING THE DESIGN THAT WAS NOT CORRECT IN THE FIRST PLACE. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, THOROUGH, AND COMPETENT. DROPPED THE PRICE WHEN SOME OF THE WORK WASN'T NECESSARY. OUTSTANDING!