Top Five Roof Inspection Fails (That Cost Homeowners Thousands)

A Quality Roof Inspection = A Quality Estimate

A roof inspection is a crucial step in not only evaluating the condition of your roof but setting the foundation for an accurate quote. While software, satellite imaging, and other new technology offerings in the industry are amazing and can assist in helping inspectors correctly identify problem areas much quicker than they have in the past, there is no replacement for experience and a hands-on inspection process.

An inspection that takes a long time isn’t necessarily the metric for quality. It’s more about how thorough an inspector is. And being thorough AND efficient is something that requires a lot of experience.

But where do you start?

If you’re looking for advice on your roof, the first thing people do is search for roofing companies in their area. You’ll find plenty of quality contractors that offer free inspections. What you want is to understand the inspection process. Is it virtual? How long will it take? How soon can the inspector come out?

All of these are critical in determining what’s going to be the best use of your time.

There are practical reasons to making sure that your inspector is experienced and thorough – you could be signing yourself up to lose thousands.

Top Five Roof Inspection Mistakes

1. Inspector doesn’t get on the roof

This may seem elementary, but it happens far more frequently than you would probably think. A ground inspection is a simple walk around the perimeter to see any visible damage from the ground. Sure – if your roof is beyond repair and is going to be replaced anyways, why wouldn’t a ground inspection be sufficient?

Two words – Unforeseen Expenses

What does that mean?

Unforeseen expenses are things that cannot be seen visibly without further investigation. Whenever there are items that are outside of the original workorder involving labor or materials, your bill is going to increase. For example:

• Double layered shingles/underlayment

• Rusted flashing

• Rotted wood – Decking/fascia

These items can be easily discovered during an inspection but will typically be missed from the ground because they are not readily visible. In fact, Rotted wood isn’t visibly known unless it’s sagging which in most cases it is not. A walk around the roof will quickly reveal if wood is rotted and replacement is necessary.

All of these things add to your final invoice and can be shocking if not anticipated.

2. No photo or video documentation

If an inspector is not providing you with a written report with photos or videos, it can not be guaranteed that the damage you are being told about, is accurate. Furthermore, you may be paying for items that are not needed on your roofing system.

Whenever someone is on your roof doing an inspection, it is well within their capabilities to provide you with photo reports or videos. As a licensed contractor, roofing companies are well aware of the tools at their disposal to provide customers what they need to make buying decisions. If no documentation is being given to you, beware!

Some typical photo documentation apps include Jobnimbus, Companycam, or Acculynx. Most of these are made so that photos can be added seamlessly to an inspection report- ensuring that the homeowner has access almost immediately.

Documentation is also important because it could be used in the future if you happen to file a claim. Insurance carriers love to have evidence of what a roof was like at the time of an inspection whether it’s before or after a storm.

Vandalism is rampant in the roofing industry. Contractor manipulation of the insurance process happens every day. To combat that, it’s important that you are present at the time of the inspection and that overview pictures be taken and sent to you immediately. This will prevent a contractor from making damage on your roof to make it mimic a weather event. This is an unfortunate characteristic of some bad contractors. Make sure you don’t fall victim to this type of fraud.

Long story short, make sure you’re setting the standard that you expect documentation from your roof inspection if anyone is getting up there.

3. No attic or interior inspection

A roof isn’t just about what you see from the outside. The real story is often unfolding underneath. If your inspector isn’t poking their head into the attic - or at least asking about interior signs of water damage—you’re only getting half the picture.

Moisture stains on rafters, mold growth, poor ventilation, and insulation issues can all contribute to roof failure or signal it’s already happening. These issues are nearly impossible to spot from the roof deck alone, but they can lead to serious problems like structural damage or health hazards if left unchecked.

A proper inspection should include interior evaluations, especially if you've had a leak in the past or if the home is older. It’s not overkill. It’s smart.

4. Inspector can’t answer your questions

You should never walk away from a roof inspection with more questions than you started with. If your inspector can’t clearly explain what they’re seeing - or worse, dodges questions altogether - that’s a red flag.

Ask them:

• What’s the current condition of the roof?

• What’s the estimated remaining life?

• Are there any areas of concern even if they’re not urgent?

A good inspector will explain the situation in plain language and back it up with visuals. If they use scare tactics or vague language like “you’ll want to get this taken care of soon” without explaining why, it’s worth getting a second opinion.

5. You don’t receive a clear scope of work

Once the inspection is complete, what happens next? If you’re left without a written scope of work, clear pricing, or a timeline, the inspection basically led nowhere.

A real inspection should be the foundation of a clear proposal. Not a ballpark guess. Not a text message with a number. A written quote that explains:

• What work is being proposed?

• Why it’s necessary (referenced from your inspection)

• What it’s going to cost?

• How long it will take?

Without this, you're flying blind, and that’s where homeowners often get hit with “surprise” charges halfway through a job. A reputable contractor wants you to understand the plan before you sign anything.

A free inspection sounds great, but if it's not thorough, it's not really free—it just delays the price tag. Whether you're getting your roof looked at after a storm, before a sale, or just for peace of mind, make sure it's done right the first time. It'll save you time, money, and stress down the road.

Need an inspection that doesn’t cut corners?
Schedule with NexGen Roofing and get photos, clear documentation, and real answers—every time. Click here for a FREE (thorough) Inspection today.