An inspection is worth doing before you need one. Small problems on a roof are cheap and quick. The same problem found two years later, after water has been running into the decking every time it rains, is a much larger job.
What we look at
We get on the roof rather than assessing it from the driveway with binoculars. We check the field for hail bruising and granule loss, the edges and ridge for wind lift, every penetration and flashing detail, the valleys, and the gutters. Where access allows, we look in the attic, because the underside of the decking tells you things the top surface will not.
Then you get photographs of what we found and a plain explanation of what it means.
When to get one
After a storm. Hail damage frequently is not visible from the ground. If your neighborhood took hail, get it looked at even if nothing seems wrong. Insurance carriers have filing deadlines, and a roof that "looked fine" is a bad reason to miss one.
Before you buy a house. A general home inspection usually includes a limited look at the roof. A roofing-specific inspection tells you how many years are actually left, which is a real number in a negotiation.
Once a year otherwise. Especially after a rough spring.
What you get
A written report with photographs, suitable to hand to your insurance carrier. If there is damage worth filing on, we will say so. If there is not, we will say that too. We will also meet your adjuster at the property and walk the roof with them so the scope reflects what is actually up there.
Common questions
Is the inspection really free?+
Yes. Free, and with no obligation. We would rather build a relationship with homeowners in the area than charge for a look at a roof.
Will you tell me I need a new roof either way?+
No. Plenty of the roofs we inspect are fine, and we say so. A roofer who finds a problem on every roof he climbs is telling you something about the roofer, not about the roofs.
Can I use your report for an insurance claim?+
Yes. The report includes photographs and a description of what we found, which is what carriers want. We will also meet the adjuster at the property so nothing gets missed on the scope.
How long does an inspection take?+
Typically thirty to sixty minutes depending on the size and complexity of the roof, plus time to walk you through what we found.