Michael J. Harris

If you are using your fireplace, it is ideal to be safe and have your chimney inspected every year. If you are buying a new home your home inspector is likely to recommend having the chimney inspected separately. This is because only an expert in chimneys can properly inspect for any potential issues. Since the chimney is such an integral and essential element to the overall home, we recommend doing one. We do chimney inspections all the time and many times we find issues the current home owners are not aware of.

Our masonry services include repairs and installations of steps, walkways and patios. We only use natural materials (stone, pavers, brick etc.) that are very durable. We are available to consult with you on your project and make recommendations based on your home's style and budget. The front steps of a home take a a lot of wear and tear due to traffic and varied weather conditions. They must be installed properly to avoid cracking and splitting. Using a fine mason contractor - instead of a landscaper is your best bet for them to wear well over time.

Other than it pouring down inside your home, how does a homeowner know it is time for a new roof? Most of the time a roof will reach the end of it's life without some type of failure or significant damage occurring. It will look old, worn and will require you to perform maintenance more often than you should. When this occurs, it's essential that you have the roof replaced immediately as larger problems could result later on. I have a beautiful new roof thanks to Michael J Harris. The job was done in a little less than 2 days.

Roof repairs in most towns from Short Hills to Westfield and from Perth Amboy, Edison and Elizabeth to Jersey City, are what customers require when they call Michael J Harris. And that's exactly what we give them. If the majority of the roof is in good shape and is not that old, a repair should be sufficient. Remember - we guarantee roof repairs. However, a roof's age and the number of repairs needed can dictate weather repairs are in the homeowner's best interest or a new roof will be more cost effective.

Slate is one of the most durable materials in roofing. Because Michael J Harris Inc. serves many communities with older homes, they have become "slate specialists." Remember, we guarantee our work. The homeowner who owns the roof on a historic home in South Orange (pictured above) needed to have us replace one of the lower roofs with new slate. Because slate is an expensive material, many home owners decide to go with a slate imitation or shingle roof instead. But for those homeowners with historic homes, slate is the ideal choice for maintaining the home's architectural integrity.

We take roof inspections seriously. That's why we offer a thorough inspection by going up on the roof and into the house. Only with a very thorough inspection can the roof's longevity be accurately predicted. While there may not be any current signs of issues, they may be on their way shortly. We want home buyers to know exactly what they are in for and home sellers to be given an honest appraisal.

In addition to repairing and installing new roofs and chimneys Michael J Harris also installs siding. Siding is a cost effective product to maintain the exterior look of your home as well as weatherproof it. Instead of having to paint every 5 - 6 years, siding can last about 30 years. There different types of materials used in siding which can both impact the durability as well as the style of your home. In the 1950's siding was made popular because of its longevity and was primarily made of aluminum.

Basement water proofing is one of the most important home improvements you can make. Just like preventing water from coming in through your roof, preventing water and moisture coming in through the foundation, will increase the value of your home. Home buyers are very skiddish about water in basements and is often one of the first areas of concern they express. Today, there are very real measures we take to prevent seepage and a damp smell that so many basements have. But, it doesn't have to be that way.

The best review for any business is a satisfied customer who comes back and / or refers colleagues, neighbors and friends when the need arises. Michael J Harris hasworked tirelessly to provide the best roofing expertise and customer service in the business. The best testament to that is the fact that we have been in business longer than any other roofing contractor in New Jersey. Since 1915 we have been providing quality roofing servicesand superb customer service to homeowners in Essex, Middlesex, Union and Hudson Counties.

While it may not seem obvious carpentry is an integral part of repairing and replacing roofing systems. Michael J Harris Inc provides a variety of exterior carpentry services. We replace and / or repair roof decks, molding, soffits, clapboard siding and fascias. All of these items are made of wood and take a beating from varied weather conditions — especially wet and windy weather. We offer the same fine craftsmanship and quality customer service with our carpentry services as we do with our roofing and masonry services.