How Much Does Roof Inspection Cost? [2022 Rates]

Roofing is a critical component of a home’s structural stability. The roof protects a house from the elements and is frequently the first line of defense against issues such as wind and moisture. Unfortunately, this can lead to a roof’s deterioration or the development of problems that necessitate repair.

The average roof inspection cost is $350 which covers internal and exterior inspection. Homeowners can also spend $275 for a less intensive drone roof inspection and $525 for an infrared roof inspection. Slate and tile roofs are harder to inspect and it costs an average of $800 for large roofs.

A roof inspection may help you detect possible problems, provide answers for what needs to be fixed, assess the roof’s durability and condition, and keep it in excellent working order. Roof inspections performed every few years or after a significant storm can help you spot issues before they become substantial or expensive.

Not all inspectors are knowledgeable about all types of roofing. Metal, tile, and slate roofs have different standards than shingle or flat roofs. Confirm with the inspector that they will be able to inspect your roofing material.

Slate or tile roofs are long-lasting, but they should be examined for cracks in the materials every year before leaks develop. Roof inspections on slate and tile can be more expensive, but they shouldn’t be too much more than the norm with drone technology.

In most cases, a physical roof inspection entails the inspector going onto the roof and examining the condition of the building materials. This includes looking for water collection or other indicators of wear and tear in the valleys surrounding roof vents, chimneys, and downspouts, as well as evaluating the flashing around roof vents, chimneys, and downspouts.

If you have an attic, the roofing professional may look inside for wet spots or air leaks as part of a complete assessment. A roof check typically costs $75 to $250.

The majority of roof inspections focus on the roof’s surface to discover apparent faults, but an infrared, or thermal, roof inspection goes a step farther. A drone is utilized in conjunction with a thermal imaging camera.

They search for issues like leaks of warmer or colder air flowing from the inside of the house, which might signal a building flaw. For an average-sized roof, this examination will cost between $400 and $650. Inspection is not as pricey as roof replacement costs.

A thorough roof examination begins on the ground level. Your inspector will check for visible symptoms of roof deterioration or degradation, such as missing or broken shingles 2, moss, buckling, humping, or curling, to name a few.

The structural integrity of the roof will be assessed by the inspector from both on top of the roof and from inside the house, peering into the attic.

Your inspector may need to remove a few shingles or tiles off the roof to look for dampness or tears in the membrane underneath. They might also employ infrared imaging equipment to look for moisture, which can cause weak places. It costs at least over $16,000 to build a roof over a deck.

Your inspector will also search for movement, dampness, or decay in the structure underneath the roof. He or she may also inspect the flashing around openings in the roof, such as the chimney or skylights. The examination will also search for a drip edge, or the lack thereof, to see if there are any locations where moisture may get in.

The roof is inspected from the ground, from the roof itself, and from underneath the roof. While “free” inspections may just examine at the top of the roof or from the ground, a complete examination should cover all locations. It will provide you with a comprehensive report of the results, including a checklist of all areas inspected and their conditions.

When buying a house or filing an insurance claim, this report is frequently required. The study may also assist you in determining what repair has to be done, when it should be done and how long the roof should endure on average.

Roof inspections differ based on the kind of roof, the size and slope of the roof, and the general condition. The cost of most inspections is a set amount that is determined in part by the size and type of your roof. An assessment of a 1,500 square foot asphalt roof, for example, will cost between $250 and $600, with an average cost of $450.

If there are numerous layers of shingles on the roof, several skylights or protrusions in the roof, or if the pitch is abnormally steep, costs may be greater. Due to the nature of the material, an inspection of a slate or tile roof might cost up to $800.

While moss in and of itself isn’t harmful to your roof, it might be an indication of something more serious. Moss thrives in damp environments; therefore, it might indicate that your roof is degrading or that there is an excessive amount of moisture underneath the shingles and in the membrane and deck.

If you notice moss on your roof, you should get it examined. Depending on the thickness of the materials and the procedure utilized, the cost of removing algae might range from $150 to $850 or more. Otherwise, a long-handled brush and cleaners intended to kill and remove moss can be used to clean the roof.

A pressure washer should not be used since it may bruise or harm the shingles. Instead, inspect your roof regularly and remove moss as you discover it to avoid excess moisture buildup, especially in northern areas in the spring and fall. Alternatively, for $250 to $300, you may have your roof cleaned.

Water penetration or leaking is frequently the first indicator of a roof problem. A gradual trickle, a massive unexpected flood, or just finding traces of water coming in after a storm, such as water stains or mold growth in the attic, are all examples of leaking.

By tracking the course that the water traveled, leaks are frequently traced back to their source. Damaged or missing shingles and broken or missing flashing are the most typical sources of leaks. The average cost of these repairs is roughly $650.

If you’re buying a new house, you’ll almost certainly employ a home inspector to evaluate the whole property, including the roof. On the other hand, most house inspectors will not climb onto your roof and will instead check it from the ground. As a result, while they may notice specific faults with the roof, they may overlook others.

Roof inspectors have been specially educated to examine various roof types and roofing materials. They are familiar with the kind of problems that individual roofs encounter, and they can frequently notice them more quickly than a house inspection.

So, while a house inspector can usually tell you if your roof is viable or needs to be replaced, they may not be able to tell you whether it needs to be repaired or how long it will take before it has to be replaced.

If you have particular questions about the roof or if the home inspector notices something they aren’t sure about, it could be good to have a certified roof inspector perform an extra check.

When you’re ready to employ a roofing contractor in your area, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get a decent one. Talking to friends and relatives about who they’ve hired in the past will comfort you that the job is of good quality and done by individuals you can trust.

Another fantastic technique to identify highly rated specialists is to read internet reviews. Once you’ve made your pick, double-check that the contractor is licensed and insured, and read the contract fully before agreeing to anything.

Your home’s roof is a critical structural and defensive component. It not only protects your home and valuables from the elements but it also helps to keep your property structurally sound.

Furthermore, when properly maintained, your roof and attic area are critical to the warmth and comfort of your house. Because heat rises, your roof and attic will guarantee that this heat is reflected back into your home’s interior throughout the winter months, keeping you and your family warm.

You might ask the contractor to search for particular problems that you’re encountering, such as an area that leaks indoors every time it rains. If you don’t have any specific concerns with your roof and just want a general examination, your inspector will use a standard checklist to search for typical faults.

Gutters, downspouts, rooftop vents, soffits, and fascia are frequently inspected as part of a roof inspection. The roofing contractor will also examine the condition of the roofing material to see if any repairs are required.

Even yet, as a careful homeowner, you can inspect the roofs and gutters on a regular basis. Clean gutters regularly to save money in the long run and avoid repairs, especially if they’re blocked with leaves or debris.

Furthermore, suppose you’re confident in your home renovation abilities. In that case, you might be able to perform minor repairs on your own, such as caulking a leaky window or replacing a broken roof.

Even with binoculars, many roof issues are challenging to see from the ground. If you don’t know what to look for, various problems might be challenging to detect.

Furthermore, determining the state of the roof underlayment or deck without raising a few shingles or tiles to have a look might be challenging. For a homeowner, this might be tough to carry out effectively and adequately.

Professional roofers can carry out roof inspections. These are not the same as the “free” inspections offered before a total roof replacement, which are just designed to provide you with a price estimate.

If your roof has been damaged by hailstones or other significant falling debris, an insurance agent may conduct a roof check. If the roof needs to be replaced, the insurance agent searches for striking marks. This sort of examination is frequently included in your homeowner’s insurance policy for free.

The majority of homeowners are unaware of how often their roofs should be examined. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that homeowners conduct their own inspections twice a year, in the autumn and spring.

Professional inspections, on the other hand, have their own set of rules. The National Roof Certification and Inspection Association (NRCIA) recommends getting your roof evaluated every other year, whereas the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recommends waiting until every three years.

There are a few things that might affect how often you get your roof examined. If you see evidence of leakages, such as water stains or mold development, you should have it evaluated sooner rather than later. It’s a good idea to get your home examined in the spring if you reside in a northern area that has seen a lot of heavy snowfall during the previous winter.

However, suppose you reside in a region prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. In that case, you should get it examined toward the end of the summer to ensure that it can endure impending tropical weather or immediately after a severe storm to assess the damage.

Related Questions

How Often Should You Get a Roof Inspection Done?

If you examine your roof yourself once or twice a year, you won’t need to get it examined very often. [three] A professional check will invariably be more comprehensive, and they will most likely be able to detect problems that you are unable to detect.

How do you inspect a roof?

Roof inspections are conducted from the ground, the roof’s edge, and the attic underneath the roof. Look for cracked, curling, or missing shingles, damaged or missing flashing, or evidence of water penetration on the roof deck when inspecting the roof.

What is included in a roof inspection?

A visual assessment of the roof, including the shingles, flashing, and gutters, is usually included in a roof inspection. A check of your ceilings and attic may be included within your house. An expert inspector can offer a reasonable estimate of the cost and what is covered with a few easy inquiries.