A roof inspection is conducted to evaluate the roof's overall health and detect any existing or potential problems. An inspection helps identify wear and tear, structural issues, and any required maintenance to keep the roof in good shape. People usually request roof inspections when purchasing or selling a property, following storms, or as part of routine maintenance. A properly conducted roof survey ensures that a building remains secure, prevents major repair expenses, and keeps the roof in top condition.

A roof inspection may be required by an insurance company to evaluate potential risks. If you're a homebuyer looking for insurance coverage, a roof survey might be mandatory. This inspection helps the insurance provider verify that the roof is in good shape and free from major defects. Similarly, if you are filing a claim with your insurance company, they may require a roof inspection to determine the extent of the damage and whether the damage was caused by a covered event (such as a storm or hail). Insurance providers sometimes require roof inspections when renewing a home insurance policy to review potential risks. This helps the insurance company assess the roof’s condition and determine the risk of insuring the property. Ultimately, roof inspections help insurers assess property risks and ensure fair policy pricing.

While a roof inspection and a roof survey serve similar functions, they differ in how comprehensive they are. During a roof inspection, experts visually assess the roof’s structure, materials, and general condition. Roof inspections include checking flashing, roofing materials, and structural elements such as skylights and chimneys. Visible signs of wear, damage, and possible leaks are assessed to ensure the roof remains structurally sound. A key purpose of roof inspections is to pinpoint defects and propose repair or maintenance solutions. Roof inspections are usually focused on the immediate condition of the roof and do not typically involve detailed measurements or testing. In contrast, a roof survey provides a more in-depth evaluation of the roof's overall state. Beyond visual checks, roof surveys may involve structural testing and detailed material assessments. Roof surveys often include techniques like thermal imaging, moisture detection, and material integrity tests. A full roof survey is typically a more in-depth process, requiring more time and investment than an inspection. More detailed roof surveys are typically conducted for complex properties or when specific repair insights are required.

Buying or selling a property? Before purchasing or selling, a roof inspection helps identify any necessary repairs or concerns. After a major weather event: After severe weather, a roof inspection ensures that no unseen damage threatens your property. If your roof is reaching 20 years or older: A roof that has surpassed two decades should be inspected to avoid unexpected failures. If you suspect your roof has problems: A roof inspection helps pinpoint the root cause of roofing problems and offers expert repair recommendations.

Roof inspection report turnaround times depend on multiple factors, including roof structure, workload, and complexity. In most cases, our roof inspections should take a few hours to complete, depending on the size of the roof and the number of components that need to be inspected. After gathering all necessary details, we document our findings and compile a professional inspection report. How long it takes to prepare the report is influenced by the complexity of the survey and required documentation. On average, you can expect to receive your full report a few days after the inspection is carried out. For smaller domestic roofs, we can usually provide an initial report on the day of the inspection.