Our Story

Built from construction experience. Created for homeowners.

Choosing a contractor shouldn’t come down to the lowest number on a piece of paper. Contractor Shield was created to help East Tennessee homeowners better understand who they’re hiring, what they’re being quoted, and what may be different from one proposal to the next.

Call (865) 680-9080

Why We Exist

A problem we saw again and again.

Contractor Shield started with a problem we saw again and again: homeowners were being asked to make major construction decisions without an easy way to compare what they were actually being offered.

Two estimates can look similar at first glance while including very different scopes, materials, allowances, timelines and warranties. A lower price may not represent the same work. And unless you work around construction every day, those differences aren’t always obvious.

We created Contractor Shield to bring construction knowledge to the homeowner’s side of the table. We meet with homeowners, learn about the project, look at the information they have, and help organize the important differences between the contractors they’re considering.

The goal is simple: give homeowners better information before they make a major decision about their home.

The People Behind Contractor Shield

Meet the people behind Contractor Shield.

Local construction experience. Personal guidance. A better way to compare your options.

Alex Lichtfuss

CEO and Co Founder

Alex Lichtfuss is CEO and Co Founder of Contractor Shield. Originally from Wisconsin, he now calls Tennessee home and has built meaningful connections with homeowners throughout the region, including around Norris Lake.

Working with homeowners on their ideas and projects gave Alex a close view of the decisions that come before construction begins. He understands that a project can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time, especially when homeowners are comparing contractors, pricing, and plans.

Alex helped create Contractor Shield to make that process more understandable and more personal. He is especially drawn to gable covers because the right design can completely elevate an outdoor space and turn a good idea into a place homeowners are genuinely excited to use.

Jacob Johannes

VP of Homeowner Advisory

Jacob Johannes is Vice President of Homeowner Advisory at Contractor Shield. Originally from Wisconsin, Jacob now calls East Tennessee home and has quickly grown attached to the lifestyle and communities around Knoxville and Norris Lake.

Outside of work, Jacob is usually happiest outdoors. He enjoys boating on Norris Lake, fishing, hunting, swimming in the rivers throughout the Smoky Mountains, and spending as much time outside as possible. That appreciation for the area is a big part of why he enjoys helping homeowners make the most of the places they call home.

At Contractor Shield, Jacob works directly with homeowners to help turn ideas into clear, well-planned projects. He approaches every project by putting himself in the homeowner’s shoes and thinking about what he would want if it were his own home and his own money.

His favorite projects are landscaping and outdoor-living spaces, especially patios, fire pits, and other areas designed for people to actually spend time outside and enjoy their property.

Nathon Johannes

CFO / Co Founder

Nathon Johannes is Co Founder and CFO of Contractor Shield. His work with homeowners in residential construction and outdoor living showed him how difficult it can be to make a major project decision without a clear way to compare the details.

He has worked directly with homeowners to plan projects around their homes, lifestyles, and budgets. That experience shaped his view that homeowners deserve more than a headline price. They deserve a clear understanding of the scope, materials, responsibilities, and options in front of them.

Nathon helped create Contractor Shield to bring that perspective to the homeowner side of the table. His favorite projects are window and door replacements because thoughtful changes can bring more light into a home, open up views, and reveal potential that was there all along.

Why We Built Contractor Shield

Contractors understand construction.

Homeowners understand their home.

We help bridge the gap between the two.

A contractor proposal can contain dozens of decisions about scope, materials, allowances, warranties and responsibilities. Our job is to help make those differences easier to see and understand before a homeowner chooses who will work on their home.

Not an online contractor directory

We’re not a website that simply collects your information and sends it to a list of contractors. Contractor Shield works directly with homeowners to understand the project and help organize the information they need to compare their options.

We believe choosing a contractor deserves more than a list of names.

What Guides Us

How we show up for homeowners.

On the homeowner’s side

We work for the homeowner. Our job is to help you understand your options, not to steer you toward anyone in particular.

Construction knowledge

We bring a construction-focused perspective to the details that are easy to miss when you don’t work around building every day.

Clarity over pressure

No hard sell. Just clear, organized information so you can make an informed decision on your own terms.

Local and personal

We meet with homeowners across East Tennessee in person. Real people, not an automated matching service.

An East Tennessee company.

Contractor Shield is based in East Tennessee and works with homeowners throughout the region, including Knoxville and the surrounding areas. We know the area, and we meet homeowners where their projects actually happen — at home.

Let’s talk about your project.

Whether you’re just starting to look for a contractor or already have proposals in hand, we can help you understand your options.

Call (865) 680-9080