What a real inspection covers
A proper inspection takes 45 minutes to two hours. Going by County Roofing Systems and Rapid Roofing, it should include:
- The roof surface. Shingle condition, granule loss, lifted or missing pieces.
- Every flashing. Chimney, valleys, step flashing at walls, and the rubber boots around plumbing vents.
- Penetrations and the deck. Vents, skylights, and any soft spots in the roof boards.
- Gutters and drainage.
- The attic. Insulation, ventilation, and moisture or staining on the underside of the deck. This is where a lot of problems show up first.
- A written report. Photos, an estimate of how many years the roof has left, what needs attention now, and rough repair costs.
$50 vs $200
Home Team Construction’s breakdown is a good way to read a price:
| Price | What you usually get (Home Team, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| About $50 | A verbal opinion, often from the ground, no attic |
| $150 to $300 | Someone on the roof, flashing and gutters checked, a written report with photos |
| $250 to $400 | All of that plus the attic and a moisture check |
| $400 to $600 | All of that plus infrared imaging to find wet spots |
The catch with free inspections
Plenty of Long Island roofers offer free inspections, and some are good. But the person inspecting is also the person who would get paid to fix what they find. Home Team calls it “a sales call with a ladder.” Rapid Roofing’s test is reasonable: verified reviews, a license, insurance and a real local address, and walk away from vague findings or pressure to sign that day.
If you want an opinion with no stake in the outcome, pay for one.
Drones
Drones are useful for steep or fragile roofs and for getting photos of every slope. They cannot lift a shingle, feel a soft deck or see into the attic. Rapid Roofing’s advice is to think twice about anyone who only flies a drone.
When you need one
Buying a house. County Roofing says a standard home inspector does not walk the roof, though some home inspectors do when it is safe. Ask. The Inspection Boys suggest that if the roof has only a year to three left, you ask the seller for a credit rather than a repair.
After a storm. Nor’easters and ice dams cause damage you cannot see from the yard. A written report with photos also helps when you deal with your insurance adjuster, according to Home Team.
On a schedule. Rapid Roofing suggests once a year, and twice a year in spring and fall once the roof passes 15 years.
