Home maintenance involves many activities, and roof inspections are crucial yet frequently overlooked. However, having your roof inspected is a good idea if you’re considering selling your home, buying a new one, or just wanting peace of mind following storm activity.
Many homeowners commonly ask how much time a professional roof inspection takes. The short answer is that most roof inspections last somewhere between 45 minutes and two hours. However, several factors impact the inspection time and what you can anticipate happening during the process.
Typical Roof Inspection Timeframes
The level of detail required for a roof inspection is the primary factor determining how long it will take. Hiring someone to do a drone-based inspection might only take 20 to 40 minutes; likewise, a basic visual inspection for a small home can only take half an hour to 45 minutes. If your inspection includes the whole exterior and attic or uses advanced tools and thermal imaging, plan on the activity taking one or two hours, perhaps a bit longer. An inspection done for insurance requirements or real estate purposes might last 90 minutes up to three hours.
What Happens During a Roof Inspection?
A thorough roof inspection usually includes five different elements. First, exterior evaluation inspects tiles, shingles, flashing, vents, gutters, and chimneys. Second, a structural assessment checks the roofline for warping, sagging, and other warning signs of potential damage. Third, an interior inspection looks at crawl spaces or attics for leaks, water damage, poor ventilation, or mold.
The fourth stage is usually documentation in the form of notes and photos; this is particularly vital for real estate transactions and insurance inspections. Fifth, reporting might happen via a same-day summary, but some roofing professionals might need one or two days to compile a comprehensive report. How much time it takes depends on the level of detail in the inspection.
Factors That Influence Roof Inspection Time
While the level of detail can determine how long a roofing inspection takes, other factors influence the duration. For starters, the complexity and size of the roof come into play. Smaller, single-story residences with simple roof designs can be inspected faster than multi-story homes or roofs with steep slopes, dormers, valleys, and skylights.
Accessibility is another prominent factor. A roof that’s hard to access because of slope, height, or landscaping can slow the inspection down. Safety precautions, including ladder placement or harnesses, can add more time. Weather conditions can also delay or interrupt an inspection. Rain, wind, and slippery conditions are potential safety hazards where roofing professionals decide not to walk on top of a home. Poor weather can mean an inspection is switched to a drone-based review or just completely rescheduled.
Why a Roof Inspection Is Worth the Time
Even if your roof inspection takes hours, it is a minor investment of your time compared to the benefits to your home’s long-term health. An effective roof inspection identifies hidden damage before things escalate into expensive repairs. The information you get helps you plan for maintenance needs or replacement parts and pieces. You can protect the interior of your home by finding leaks early, and the process documents the condition for insurance claims and real estate sales.
Alternatively, skipping roof inspections can result in unfortunate surprises. The next storm front rolling through might start a significant leak inside your home, and an escrow process can get derailed by the discovery of a failing roof.
Tips for Expediting the Process
When preparing for a roof inspection, clear the perimeter surrounding your house for easy access. If interior inspection is necessary, provide attic access. Ask plenty of questions in advance to know what will be included, such as the tools used.
A Few Hours for Lasting Peace of Mind
A roofing inspection won’t take up your whole day, and it provides valuable insights about one of your home’s most essential structural components. If it’s been some time since the last roof check, or you’re dealing with a home purchase, aging materials, or storm aftermath, you should schedule your next one.
Investing a few hours now can save thousands of dollars in the future. HT Roofing & Construction offers roofing services in Lenexa, KS, and the surrounding areas. We handle roof replacement, repairs, gutter guards, and siding.
Contact HT Roofing & Construction for your next roof inspection.
