What does a good roof inspection report example look like?
Short answer. A useful roof inspection report identifies the roof (age, material, layers, pitch), lists findings slope by slope with photos, separates urgent issues from wear and storm damage, and ends with clear recommendations. If a report has no photos or no locations, it is not much help.
Here is the structure of a solid residential report, with an example of what each part should say.
1. Roof summary
Example: "Architectural asphalt shingles, one layer, estimated 14 years old, 7/12 main pitch, ridge vent with soffit intake, aluminum drip edge present."
2. Findings by slope
Example: "Rear (north) slope: 9 hail bruises in a 10 by 10 foot test area, granules displaced, mat fractured on 3 when pressed. Photos 12 to 18."
3. Components
- Pipe boots: "Two neoprene collars cracked, photos 21 and 22."
- Flashing: "Chimney counterflashing sealed with caulk only, step flashing intact."
- Gutters and vents: "Dents in gutters and box vents on west side, photo 25."
4. Attic observations
Example: "Water stain at the chimney chase, decking dry at time of inspection; bath fan vents into the attic."
5. Recommendations, ranked
- Urgent: replace cracked boots before the next rain.
- Storm: hail damage on two slopes consistent with the recent storm; consider contacting your insurer.
- Maintenance: reroute the bath fan, clear valleys of needles.
Notice what makes this useful: every claim has a location and a photo number. For the vocabulary used in reports, see roof anatomy explained, and for hail evidence see Georgia hail season.