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. By detecting issues early, roof inspections help maintain structural integrity, prolong the lifespan of the roof, and minimize costly damages.

Insurance companies request roof surveys to assess property conditions and minimize risks. When securing home insurance for a newly purchased property, insurers may require a roof check. A roof check allows the insurer to assess whether immediate repairs are necessary before issuing coverage. To process a claim, the insurer may conduct an inspection to confirm whether the damage resulted from a covered event like hail or storms. In some cases, insurance companies may also require a roof inspection as part of the renewal process for an existing policy. An inspection gives the insurance company insight into the roof’s durability and potential risks. Overall, a roof inspection is typically required by an insurance company to evaluate the roof’s condition and determine the risk of insuring the property.

Both roof inspections and roof surveys evaluate a roof’s condition, but they vary in their depth and purpose. During a roof inspection, experts visually assess the roof’s structure, materials, and general condition. The inspection process covers various components, including roofing materials, flashing, and additional features like skylights and chimneys. Inspectors identify any potential weak points, leaks, or damage that could compromise the roof’s function. Through inspections, specialists diagnose roofing issues and provide actionable repair or maintenance advice. Unlike roof surveys, inspections do not usually include in-depth testing, focusing instead on current visible conditions. On the other hand, a roof survey is a more detailed and comprehensive assessment of the roof and its condition. In addition to visual examinations, roof surveys often include technical analysis and in-depth condition reporting. This may include testing the roof deck’s moisture content, measuring the roofing material’s thickness, or using specialised equipment to identify problems that are not visible to the naked eye. Because surveys involve more extensive testing, they take longer to complete and may cost more than standard inspections. Roof surveys are often used for larger or more complex roofs or when more detailed information about the roof’s condition is needed for repair or maintenance purposes.

Buying or selling a property? Understanding the condition of the roof before a transaction helps avoid unexpected repair costs. After a major weather event: A roof inspection is essential after severe weather to assess storm damage and necessary repairs. If your roof is more than 20 years old: Older roofs are prone to leaks, structural issues, and general wear—an inspection can help detect these problems early. Seeing signs of roof deterioration? Persistent leaks, water stains, or missing shingles indicate it’s time for a professional roof assessment.

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. Following the survey, we take time to analyze the data and prepare a detailed report for you. How long it takes to prepare the report is influenced by the complexity of the survey and required documentation. In general, you should receive your roof inspection report within a few days of the inspection being completed. For smaller domestic roofs, we can usually provide an initial report on the day of the inspection.