What Is A Roof Inspection
Your roof is a mechanical system. It may seem to be a passive feature of your house. But, just like your homes HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, your roof performs functions that require proper maintenance and periodic inspections to ensure reliable service.
A roof inspection is a thorough examination of all roofing components on, or in, your home. The inspection is performed to determine the current performance of your roof and what, if anything, needs to be done to correct any problems.
Roof inspections are also performed to certify a roof. That is, to determine the quality and expected lifespan of a particular roof. These inspections are common when buying or selling a house.
Average Cost Of A Drone Roof Inspection
Roof inspection costs depend on the type of inspection. The price ranges from $120 to $320. However, it may fluctuate as high as $600 depending on the roof perimeter, size of the structure, slope, type of the roof material, and the location of the house.
Most roofing companies will charge you for their roof inspection services. For the traditional method, costs range from about $75 to $200. Drone roof inspections may range from $80 to $150 per hour flight time.
At RoofClaim.com, we offer free traditional inspections. All you have to do is fill out a form to book a schedule. But, if you want a better and more accurate drone inspection, we have a standard drone roof inspection package you can choose.
Keep in mind that drone inspection prices change depending on the size of your property and your location, so all provided prices are estimates.
Can A Drone Accurately Inspect A Roof
After everything we covered in this article, youre probably already starting to see the benefit of drone-based roof inspections.
But perhaps youre skeptical. Perhaps all of this begged the question But can a drone accurately inspect a roof?…
Using 3D mapping, a drone can inspect roofs even better than manual roof inspections. Infrared technology can expose problems that arent visible to the human eye, preventing disasters in the process.
Adding infrared sensors to drones can help the inspector detect leaks, insulation breakdowns and various other roof defects And all of this is done almost instantly.
There is software that takes care of the 3D mapping and simple-to-read reports get generated in minutes after the drone flight is over.
This video is a perfect example of such software in use:
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Drone Roof Inspection Cost
With an average cost of $150 to $400, drone inspection costs may come into play if your roof is particularly steep or more difficult to access due to its location. The inspector may offer to fly a drone with a camera attached over your house to complete the inspection. Drones capture close-up footage of all surfaces, after which the inspector will study the footage and provide recommendations.
Physical Roof Inspection Prices
The most common type of examination ranges between $75 and $200. It involves a certified roofing professional simply taking a ladder and examining the materials and condition in person. Your total price may increase beyond the typical range if the expert also checks out the underside of your roof from the attic.
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Roof Inspection Cost By Method
Typically, the inspection methods differ depending on the techniques and tools needed. While one procedure may involve manual labor using mechanical supplies, another utilizes a high-tech camera to capture various surfaces.
Costs can increase due to an advanced technological evaluation compared to an inexpensive yet basic physical evaluation. Also, homeowners should consider how much they could expect to pay per square foot according to the dimensions of their roof.
| Type |
|---|
| $400 – $650 |
Check For Damaged Missing Or Old Shingles
Missing or damaged shingles can also let water seep through your roof. If you have wooden shingles or wood shake shingles, inspect them for signs of dry rot, either from the ground or from a ladder . Asbestos, slate, or clay tile roofs can suffer from breakage, so look for cracked, chipped, broken, or altogether missing shingles. If youre performing a metal roof inspection, check for signs of corrosion, rust, stress wrinkling, or other wear.
If you have asphalt shingles, check for signs of wear as you clean your gutters. Asphalt contains gravel-like granules. As the shingles age, these granules will break free and find their way into your gutters. If you see a lot of asphalt granules in your gutters, check the roof carefully for damaged or missing shingles.
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Do Roofing Companies Do Roof Inspections
Reputable roofing companies typically perform inexpensive or free roof inspections. However, this service is most often associated with receiving a quote for repair or replacement. Roofing company inspections are usually relied upon for assessing storm damage, or if youre planning on replacing your roof for any reason. Hiring an independent roof inspector may be more appropriate for periodic inspections or appraisals.
Do Home Inspectors Go On The Roof
In other words, why have a roof inspection if the home inspector will have already inspected the roof?
Although home inspection companies promise to include a roof inspection in a standard home inspection, this is not always the case. For one thing, they are not under obligation to actually climb your roof and inspect it. They are obligated to check the roof, but the method is not set in stone. For another, it might be unsafe or difficult to climb a roof due to lack of proper access.
But here at The Inspectors Company, we know that a roof situation could lead to major complications and difficulties down the line, which is why we always include a roof inspection in our home inspection. Depending on the results of this initial inspection, we may also recommend a specialized roof inspection.
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How To Hire Roof Inspectors
As with hiring other professionals to take a look at your home or perform repair work, youll want to do some research. Word of mouth is usually a good way to find a roof inspector because youll get first-hand accounts about the service an inspector provided. Social media has become another asset in finding professionals to help you with your home, too. When looking for a roof inspector, ask:
- For their certification and insurance
- What specifically is included in their quote
- If having a drone inspection, make sure they are certified to fly a drone
- For multiple quotes from other inspectors apps like Thumbtack provide price estimates from professionals and can make the search easier.
What Does A Roof Certification Mean And Do I Need One
A roof certification letter describes the condition of the surface in general terms and assigns an estimated lifespan to it. Roofing inspectors order it from a contractor as part of the inspection. On its own, it costs between $75 and $200.
Most homeowners get a certification for one of three reasons:
Third-party proof on the lifespan for a home buyer
Documentation required by some mortgage lenders
Peace of mind that your home will be protected
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What About Roof Certifications
If you are selling your home, you may want to get a roof certification to show to potential sellers. These investigations are intended to determine the roofs remaining lifespan, so the buyer can make an intelligent purchasing decision. A roofing certification will usually cost from $75 to $200 in most instances.
Inspector Jobs In Philadelphia Pa
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What Inspector Makes The Most Money
Inspector salaries can vary on many factors, including what industry a job is in. In fact, jobs with technology, automotive, and manufacturing companies tend to be the highest paying. Furthermore, an inspector can make a yearly salary of $38,546 while working for technology companies.
How much does a roof inspector make in Florida?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $83,636 and as low as $9,293, the majority of Roofing Inspector salaries currently range between $29,146 to $45,197 with top earners making $82,369 annually in Florida.
How Do You Inspect A Roof Without A Ladder
Inspecting Your Roof
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Infrared Roof Inspection Cost
An average-size roof costs from $400 to $650 for an infrared inspection. Most inspectors concentrate on the surface to catch the obvious problems, but an infrared, or thermal, inspection goes to a deeper level. The inspector uses a drone with a special thermal imaging camera, which reveals problems like leaks of warmer or cooler air coming from the interior of the home. Leaks may indicate a weakness in the construction.
Who To Hire For Roof Inspections
Its best to hire a local roofing professional to perform a roof inspection. Following a storm, out-of-town roofers will often appear, but findingreviews about their work can be difficult. You should hire an inspector who is certified and trained to examine roofs. Look for certifications from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and the National Roofing Contractors Association.
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Proper Attic Ventilation And The Condition Of Your Roof Vents
One of the first things a roofing contractor should check during your inspection is your attics ventilation.Adequate attic ventilation is absolutely crucial to the lifespan of your roof and even your homes energy bills.
Without proper ventilation, the damage caused by trapped hot and cold air will drastically shorten your roofs lifespan. Improper ventilation can even void your roofing material warranties.
The roofing contractor will also inspect the actual vents on your roof. Theyll check for any obstructions and damage to ensure theyre still functioning properly.
Just know that not every roofing contractor gets in your attic to check for proper ventilation. If this happens during your inspection, ask how your attics ventilation system is doing to ensure its still functioning properly.
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How Often Should You Have Your Roof Inspected
Most homeowners arent aware of just how frequently their roof should be inspected. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association , homeowners should be carrying out their own inspections twice yearly, in the fall and in the spring.
When it comes to professional inspections, however, guidelines differ. According to the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association you should be having it inspected every other year, while according to the National Association of Home Builders you can wait and have it done every three years.
A few factors that may help influence how frequently you get your roof inspected. Obviously, if you see signs of leaks, such as water stains or mold growth, you may want to get it inspected sooner. If you live in a northern climate that has seen a lot of heavy snowfall during one winter, it is a good idea to get it inspected in the spring. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, you may wish to have it inspected at the end of the summer to make sure it can withstand incoming tropical weather or directly after a major storm to check for damage.
How Do You Measure Roof Damage
We will give you a verbal overview immediately after the inspection and issue a written one with detailed information soon afterwards. We will go over the results of the inspection with you to help you determine the extent of the damage to your roof, if any. You can then plan your course of action accordingly and decide whether it would pay off to perform repairs or not.
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How Much Does A 5
The certification cost of $75 to $200 doesn’t change for two years compared to five years. Paying more will not lead to a longer lifespan estimate. Certification will take the same work no matter its outcome, and the condition of the space will determine how long the pro believes your roof will last.
Drone Roof Inspections Provides More Accurate Data
With a drone roof inspection, inspectors can collect more accurate, useful, and comprehensive details by adding relevant sensors and infrared cameras on the drones. These tools help us check insulation for damage, detect indicators of roof leaks, and other roof defects.
In addition, drones capture images or video from the same spot and angle for maximum consistency. This is important, especially when there is a need to confirm or clarify details. Not to mention, this task will only take a few minutes compared to manual inspection methods, making it a lot better than conducting a traditional roof inspection.
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What Is A Roof Certification Inspection
A roof certification or a roof warranty certificate is a written certificate issued by a licensed roofing contractor for the purpose of providing information about:
- Roof condition and deficiencies, if any,
- Estimated life expectancy,
- Deficiencies and corrective measures or repairs to be made.
Homeowners usually schedule roof certification inspections as this can provide reassurance to prospective buyers and go a long way toward selling their homes. The certification will be good for two years minimum.
What Do Roof Inspectors Look For
A legitimate inspector does more than walk on the surface while working to detect visible signs of wear and tear. Not only are they specialists, but they also catch minor issues before they progress.
A good inspection starts on the ground. Your inspector begins by looking for obvious signs of damage or decay, such as missing or broken shingles, moss, buckling, humping, or curling. This is usually called a basic or material inspection. The method usually precedes a thorough procedure to check for structural and material issues. When the defects are not visible to the human eye, an interior inspection is necessary to check walls, ceilings, and attics for water stains, rot, holes, and pests.
The inspector will also assess the structural integrity, both from on top and from inside, looking at the attic. Your inspector may remove a few shingles or tiles from the surface to check the membrane below for moisture or tears. Or, they may use thermal imaging technology to check for moisture that can lead to weak spots.
Your inspector will also check the structure below the roof to look for movement, moisture, or rot. They may also check around openings in the structure, such as the chimney or skylights, to look at the flashing. The inspection will also check for a drip edge or lack thereof to look for areas where moisture may penetrate.
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Inspect The Roof Up Close
If you can, get up on a ladder and perform your roof inspection up close. While youre up there, look for damage to the flashings around the chimney, dormers, and vent pipes. Damaged or corroded flashings can let water into the interior structure of your roof and could contribute to rot in the structure of your roof and the walls of your home. If you see damage, youll probably need to replace the flashings.
Roof Inspection Report Cost
These reports vary based on the parameters of the inspection and the inspector you use. There is no standard inspection report or format, but there are quite a few similarities between what one roof inspector will describe in their report and what another may include.
Your report should contain general information about the roof, like its age and manufacturing details, as well as any damage the inspector finds during the examination. The inspector might provide estimates for repair and replacement of part or all of the roof, particularly if they are a roofing company representative and can provide the actual costs their employer charges.
The inspection might include tests of the roofs condition, such as a brittle test, which measures whether the shingles break when bent and whether replacement is needed. The report will include written observations about the condition and may include pictures that showcase damage or problems the inspector finds.
The price you pay for your inspection normally includes the report that will follow within a few days of the examination, so you do not need to pay extra for your report.
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