Roofing
What a Roof Inspection Actually Covers
An inspection documents visible roof conditions — shingles, flashing, gutters, penetrations, and drainage. Understanding what gets documented helps you evaluate what contractors are telling you.
Updated June 18, 2026
Inspection Scope
Every surface. Every system. Documented.
A proper roof inspection covers visible conditions on every accessible surface — not just the field of the roof, but the perimeter, transitions, penetrations, and drainage path.
Roof Surface
Shingle condition, granule loss, impact bruising, cracking, curling, blistering, and missing units. Each deficiency is photographed with location context.
Flashings & Penetrations
Step flashing, valley flashing, pipe boots, HVAC curbs, skylights, and chimney aprons. These are where most leaks originate.
Soft Metals
Gutters, downspouts, vents, ridge vents, and drip edge. Soft metal impacts from hail are often the first visible indicator of a storm event.
Interior Indicators
Ceiling stains, attic moisture, and daylight penetration. Interior conditions contextualize what the exterior inspection finds.
The Inspection Process
No estimates. No pressure. Just documentation.
The Roof Shepherd inspection is documentation-only. No material samples. No pressure to commit. The record belongs to the homeowner and can be used with any contractor or insurer independently.
Next Step
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Inspection FAQs
Common questions about roof inspections
What does a roof inspection cover?
A condition review documents roof surface by zone (shingle condition, granule loss, impact bruising, cracking), penetrations and flashings (pipe boots, step flashing, skylights, chimney), soft metals (gutters, drip edge, vent caps), and interior indicators (ceiling stains, attic moisture). Every observation is location-anchored and photographed.
What does a roof inspection NOT include?
A condition inspection is not an engineering assessment, a structural evaluation, or a load-bearing analysis. It documents visible surface conditions. Underlying substrate conditions can only be confirmed when the roofing system is opened. The Roof Shepherd documents what is visible and states explicitly when something requires further investigation.
Do I need to be home during the inspection?
No. Exterior access to the property is sufficient for roof-surface and soft-metal documentation. Interior access is needed if you want ceiling stain or attic documentation included. You receive the full photo record and written findings regardless.
How is a Roof Shepherd inspection different from a contractor estimate?
A contractor estimate prices their proposed scope of work. It is a business proposal. A condition review documents what is actually present — independently of any proposed scope or price. Getting documentation before contractor estimates means you are evaluating proposals against a neutral baseline you already own.
Can a roof inspection be used for an insurance claim?
Independent documentation of visible conditions can support a claim by establishing a baseline prior to contractor involvement. The Roof Shepherd does not prepare insurance reports, negotiate claims, or guarantee outcomes. The documentation belongs to you.