The short answer
“Should I get my roof inspected?” is really two questions. What shape is my roof in? And what, if anything, should I do about it?
A good inspection answers the first one clearly so you can make the second decision with confidence. This guide is about reading the answer.
What an inspection covers
A thorough inspection looks at the whole roof system: every slope, the flashing and everything that pokes through the roof, ventilation, gutters and edges, and the attic if you allow it.
For comparison, the InterNACHI home inspection standards list the roof covering, gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing, skylights, chimney and other roof penetrations, with the attic and ventilation as a separate section.
Our roof inspection checklist lists each item, plus what you can safely check yourself from the ground. For the free inspection arranged through Roof Inspectors, see what it covers.
What the findings mean
You should come away with more than “looks fine” or “you need a new roof.” A useful report sorts each finding into a kind, and each kind points to a different next step.
Four kinds of findings
- Storm damage: damage the inspector ties to a specific event, like hail or wind. Ask which storm, and which photos show it. Whether to contact your insurer is a separate decision, covered in insurance questions.
- Normal wear: the roof aging, such as granules wearing thin over the years or shingles curling or turning brittle. It tells you how much life may be left, not that something happened.
- Maintenance items: small fixes like clogged gutters or a cracked pipe boot that keep small problems from becoming leaks.
- Installation problems: something that wasn’t done right when the roof went on, such as missing kickout flashing. These matter for leaks: a U.S. Department of Energy guide warns that without adequate flashing where a roof meets a wall, water can leak into the wall.
“Nothing needs attention” is a finding too, and a good report says so plainly.
Then look at two more things. Urgency: what needs attention now, what can wait, and what needs nothing. Limitations: the slopes or areas the inspector couldn’t reach or see, and why.
The full list of what a report should contain is in part 3 of our checklist.
Know what your inspector should check first
See how many significant storms are on record near your address, free in about 30 seconds.
- Doesn’t file an insurance claim
- One local partner, never a pile-on
What an inspection can’t tell you
Being clear about the limits matters as much as the findings.
- It doesn’t decide whether to file an insurance claim. That depends on your policy, your deductible, and the extent of any damage — and it’s your decision.
- It doesn’t guarantee coverage. If you file a claim, even after an inspection, your insurance company decides what’s covered and what it pays. Roof Inspectors and our roofing partners can’t make that decision or promise an outcome.
- It can’t predict the future. Some inspectors estimate remaining life, but it’s an estimate, and weather and maintenance will shape it. Home inspection standards don’t require one at all.
- It doesn’t commit you to anything. Repairs or replacement are always a separate decision.
Contractor inspection, home inspection, or engineer?
These are different services, and it helps to know which one you’re getting.
| Type | Who does it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing contractor inspection | A roofing company, can be free | Storm damage questions, leaks, condition checks |
| Home inspection | A home inspector, paid | Buying or selling a home; covers the house’s major systems, including the roof |
| Forensic or engineering inspection | An engineer, paid | Disputes and complex cause-of-damage questions |
Roof Inspectors’ free inspection is a roofing-contractor inspection. It’s performed by an independent roofing partner that serves your area and may also offer repairs or replacement. The roofing partner pays Roof Inspectors for each inspection request.
We say that plainly because you deserve to know. You’re never obligated to buy anything, and you can always get a second opinion. Before you hire anyone for the work, here are good questions to ask a roofer.
The bottom line
Storm records show the weather at or near your home. An inspection is a close look at the roof itself. Together, they give you the facts you need to decide what — if anything — comes next.
Between inspections, our season-by-season roof maintenance checklist for Kansas City covers the upkeep that helps a roof last.
Sources
Sources (3) · InterNACHI, IKO, U.S. Department of Energy Building America Solution Center
- InterNACHI: Home Inspection Standards of Practice (roof, attic and ventilation sections)
- IKO: Roof inspection checklist (curled or brittle shingles, granules in gutters)
- U.S. Department of Energy Building America Solution Center: Step and kick-out flashing at roof-wall intersections
How our free inspections work and who pays us
Common questions
Will the inspector walk on my roof?
Is a free roof inspection worth it?
This guide is general information for homeowners, not professional, insurance, or legal advice. How we write and update guides.