Champion Construction FAQs

Question 1

How much does a new roof cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on size, pitch, how many layers are up there and what the deck looks like underneath. We measure the roof, check the decking, and give you one written price before anything starts. No estimate over the phone.

Question 2

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fully licensed and insured in New Jersey. We carry general liability and workers' compensation, and we will send you the certificates before we start.

Question 3

Do I need a replacement or will a repair do?

Accepted Answer

It depends how much life is left. If you have ten good years and one bad valley, we will repair it and tell you honestly how long that buys you. We only recommend replacing when repairing stops making sense.

Question 4

Can you help with my insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We photograph the damage, meet your adjuster at the house, and make sure the scope on paper matches what is actually on your roof.

Question 5

Is the inspection really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and there is no obligation. We get on the roof or into the crawlspace, photograph what we find, and walk you through it. You keep the photos whether you hire us or not.

Question 6

How long will the work take?

Accepted Answer

Most roofs are one to two days. Siding and masonry depend on the size of the house. Either way you get a start date and a finish date in writing before we begin.

Question 7

What does the warranty cover?

Accepted Answer

You get the manufacturer warranty on the materials plus our own workmanship warranty on the labor. If something we installed fails, we come back and fix it at no charge.

Question 8

Will you damage my landscaping?

Accepted Answer

We tarp beds and shrubs before the tear-off starts, keep debris off the lawn, and finish with a magnet sweep for nails. If something does get damaged, we make it right.

Question 9

What if it rains mid-job?

Accepted Answer

We watch the forecast and won't open a roof we can't close. If weather turns, everything gets dried in before we stop for the day.

Question 10

How much does repointing cost?

Accepted Answer

It's priced by the square footage of wall and how much of the mortar has actually failed. We look at the wall, tell you how deep the damage goes, and give you one written price.

Question 11

Can you match my existing brick and mortar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We match mortar color and hardness to the original and source replacement brick as close as we can find. On an older home the goal is that you can't see where we worked.

Question 12

What's the white powder on my brick?

Accepted Answer

Efflorescence, the mineral salts left behind as water moves through the masonry and evaporates. It's cosmetic in itself, but it tells you water is getting in somewhere.

Question 13

Why does my chimney only leak in heavy rain?

Accepted Answer

Because the failure is usually small. A hairline crack in the crown or a worn flashing joint only lets water through when rain is driven hard enough. There are five places water gets in, and we test each one before quoting.

Question 14

What's the crown and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The crown is the concrete slab across the top of the chimney. Most older homes have a thin mortar wash instead of a real one, and once that cracks, water pours straight down inside the stack.

Question 15

Do you sweep chimneys?

Accepted Answer

We're masons and roofers, not sweeps. If your flue needs cleaning or a Level 2 inspection, we'll tell you and point you to someone who does it properly.

Question 16

Why did my last set of steps crack so fast?

Accepted Answer

Almost always the base, not the concrete. If it wasn't dug to depth and compacted, the first freeze-thaw cycle moves it and the slab cracks. We dig, compact and reinforce before anything gets poured.

Question 17

Do I need a permit?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, particularly once railings and height are involved. We pull the permit and handle the inspection, and we build to code so it passes the first time.

Question 18

Can you pour in winter?

Accepted Answer

Concrete needs the right temperature to cure. We schedule around it and use hot water and blankets when we can, but we won't pour into a hard freeze.

Question 19

What happens if you find rot?

Accepted Answer

We stop, photograph it and price the repair before carrying on. Rotten sheathing gets replaced rather than covered, because siding over rot only hides the problem for a few years.

Question 20

Vinyl or fiber cement?

Accepted Answer

Vinyl is easier on the budget and performs well when it's installed properly. Fiber cement costs more, holds paint longer and takes impact better. Both work in New Jersey, so it comes down to budget and how long you plan to stay.

Question 21

Will new siding lower my heating bill?

Accepted Answer

Insulated siding can help, but siding alone isn't insulation. If your bills are high, air sealing and attic insulation usually give a bigger return, and we'll say so.

Question 22

Why seamless gutters instead of sectional?

Accepted Answer

Seams are where gutters leak. We form seamless runs on site to the length of your roof, so the only joints are at the corners and outlets where they can be properly sealed.

Question 23

Can gutters really cause a wet basement?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's the most common cause we see. Undersized or overflowing gutters dump water straight at the foundation. Fixing the gutters and extending the downspouts is far cheaper than waterproofing a basement.

Question 24

Are leaf guards actually worth it?

Accepted Answer

If you have trees over the roof, yes. They don't make gutters maintenance-free, but they turn an annual clean-out into an occasional one.

General Questions

Roofing Questions

Masonry Questions

Chimney Questions

Steps Questions

Siding Questions

Gutter Questions