How much should a roof inspection cost, and what should you get?
Short answer. A roof inspection from a roofing company should usually cost nothing, and a paid inspection from a home inspector or certifier should be priced in line with its written report. Either way, you should get someone actually on the roof where it is safe, a look in the attic where accessible, labeled photos of every slope and problem area, and a plain explanation of what is damage, what is wear and what is fine.
What a good inspection delivers
- On-roof check. Walking the slopes, feeling for soft decking, checking shingle seals and looking closely for hail bruising and wind creases.
- Edges and penetrations. Drip edge, flashing at walls and chimneys, valleys, pipe boots, vents and skylights.
- Attic. Stains, daylight at nail holes, ventilation, insulation and moisture.
- Gutters and fascia. Damage, rot and drainage.
- Photos. Dated, labeled and yours to keep.
- Honest conclusions. Repair, maintain, monitor or replace, with reasons.
Red flags
- An inspector who never leaves the ground or never shows you photos.
- Pressure to sign a contract on the spot, especially before an insurance adjuster has seen the roof.
- Claims of damage you cannot see in the photos.
- An offer to cover your deductible, which is illegal in Georgia.
- Charging for a basic inspection and then pushing a replacement anyway.
When paying makes sense
A real estate transaction may call for a written roof certification. A disputed insurance claim may justify an independent engineer. A home inspection includes the roof as part of its overall fee. For storm damage and leaks, a free roofer inspection with full photo documentation is usually the right first step.
Learn more in what to expect from a roof inspection and how to choose a roofing contractor in Georgia. Robust Roofing describes its own process on its free roof inspection page.