What a roof inspection report contains

A roof inspection report documents what the inspector found when they assessed your roof. While formats vary, a good report typically includes an overall assessment of the roof's condition, specific findings about any problems or areas of concern, often photographs documenting the findings and conditions, and recommendations for any needed repairs, replacement, or other action.

Understanding the overall condition assessment

A key part of the report is the overall condition assessment — the inspector's evaluation of the roof's general state. This tells you the big picture: whether the roof is in good condition, has some issues, or is significantly deteriorated or failing.

Understanding the specific findings

The heart of the report is the specific findings — what the inspector actually observed. These findings document any problems or areas of concern, such as:

• Damaged or deteriorated shingles
• Flashing issues
• Granule loss
• Signs of leaks or water intrusion
• Ventilation concerns

Understanding the recommendations

The report's recommendations tell you what the inspector suggests based on the findings. Good recommendations follow logically from the findings — a recommendation for replacement should be supported by findings showing the roof is failing.

The importance of photos and documentation

A valuable feature of a good inspection report is photographic documentation of the findings. Photos let you see what the inspector saw, making the report evidence-based rather than just assertions.

Evaluating whether a report is trustworthy

Signs of a trustworthy report include specific, detailed findings, photographic documentation, and recommendations that logically follow from the findings. Be cautious of vague findings or recommendations that don't clearly connect to documented problems, particularly from door-knocking contractors.

The difference between inspection reports for different purposes

• General condition: Assesses overall state and remaining life.
• Storm damage: Focuses on documenting damage for insurance claims.
• Pre-purchase: Assesses condition for a real estate transaction.