Your roof is a piece of machinery. It might look like a simple part of your house. But, just like your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, your roof does things that need to be taken care of and checked regularly to make sure they work well. A roof inspection is a thorough look at all the parts of your roof that are on or in your house. Your roof is assessed to determine its current condition and any necessary repairs.
The roof inspection cost and potential repairs can vary depending on the style and location. In Florida, roof inspection costs can range from $150 to $7,000, while the average price of roof repairs in the United States is $950. The final cost of your roof repair will depend on its size, materials, and labor involved.
Are Roof Inspections Required in Florida?
A qualified home inspector or roofer will need to check the roof of a home with an older roof to renew or get new homeowner’s insurance. Roof inspection cost Jacksonville FL is only applicable to some homes. For houses with shingle or similar roofs over 25 years old, Citizens Insurance of Florida needs a roof inspection record showing at least three years of life left. Roofs made of tile, slate, clay, concrete, or metal are checked once they are 50 or older. Verifying that the roof was recently rebuilt is also acceptable. One way to do this is to show a copy of the home’s closed roofing permit.
Do Roofing Companies Inspect Roofs?
Roof inspections cost are usually cheap or free when done by a reputable roofing company. But most of the time, this service is used to get a price for repair or replacement. Most of the time, you hire a roofing company to look at storm damage or if you want to replace your roof for any reason. Hiring an independent roof inspector for regular inspections or assessments might be better.
What’s Included in a Roof Inspection?
- A general look at how a roof looks
- Look for parts that are broken or missing.
- Inspection of ceilings inside the home
- Inspect the fascia, gutters, chimneys, vents, drains, and downspouts.
- Look for roofs that are broken, loose, or missing.
- Valleys where water can pool, or ice dams can form are checked.
When Should I Have My Roof Inspected?
Roof inspection guides, like a roof inspection checklist, must provide the ideal time to inspect. Most of the time, roof checks are done because of the following.
After A Storm
If you file a claim for storm damage, your insurance company will likely want to check your roof. Often, an insurance company sends out its inspector to ensure a valid claim.
Periodic Inspection
Different roofing materials last for different amounts of time. It’s essential to always keep an eye on your roof. But after half of your roof’s expected life has passed, a professional should check it every three to four years. Think about doing this even more often if you live in a harsh climate and less often if you live somewhere with warmer weather. A good rule of thumb is to plan roof inspections well before the colder months come so that there is enough time to make repairs if they are needed quickly.
Roof Appraisal
When buying a home, it’s always a good idea to know what you’re getting into when it comes to the roof. If a seller has the roof inspected and cleared, it can help sell the house.
Types of Repairs
Most roof fixes fall into two categories: small and big. Before you spend a lot of money on roof repairs, you should figure out which group they fit into.
1. Minor Repairs
Between $150 and $1,500 can be spent on minor fixes. For these kinds of repairs, you only need simple tools and materials. You don’t need any special skills or training. Many people like to do minor roof repairs independently, but you should call a professional if you need to learn to do something or are worried about safety. A little roof fix can quickly turn into a big one if it is ignored or done wrong.
Some common minor fixes are:
- Cleaning the gutters
- Putting up small holes
- Replacing shingles that are missing or broken
- Putting a hole or tear right
- Getting rid of water that has pooled
- Flashing (small holes, rusty spots, resealing)
2. Major Repairs
Major fixes need to be done by a professional and use particular parts to cost between $1,500 and $7,000. Depending on where you live, they may also need permits and checks during the whole process of fixing. Significant fixes require a lot of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or engineering work. Also included are fixes for structural failures (both possible and natural), any changes you make to your roof or house’s structure and any repairs that make your home safer.
Some common major fixes are:
- Problems with electrical wires
- A lot of water damage
- Mold, gas, and other problems caused by the climate are discussed in detail.
- Loss of roof height or roof sagging
- Fixing a chimney
- Flashing (complete change)
3. Replace
Replace your roof if it’s over 20 years old and damaged. A roof that has yet to be damaged much can last more than 30 years. Talk to a professional roofing company if you need to know if your roof needs to be replaced or if it could be fixed and still work. Representatives usually charge a small fee for their first look at your roof. A whole new roof can cost much more than $8,000.
If none of these sound like what’s wrong with your roof, you may need to have it cleaned. Cleaning your roof at least once a year (or more, based on the weather) helps keep it in good shape, supports your roof from needing repairs, and keeps your home looking nice. It also saves you money in the long run because it lets you find and fix problems before they get bad enough to cost a lot.
How Do I Know If the Roof Inspection Was Done Right?
Watching the inspector do his job is the best way to know if your roof is being checked correctly, and it can also provide insights into the roof inspection cost. The inspector should give you a written report when the check is done, outlining every part of the inspection, including the cost involved. You can tell how thorough an inspection was by the notes in the report.
Feel free to talk to the inspector with any questions or worries you may have, including inquiries about the roof inspection cost. If your roof has been properly inspected, a good roof tester should be able to answer specific questions about your roof and the inspection process, providing transparency and clarity about the overall evaluation and any necessary repairs.
Conclusion
Roof inspections ensure roof health and lifespan while also helping to manage the roof inspection. Roofs need regular maintenance, like any equipment, to detect and correct issues. Roof repairs might be minor, major, or complete, and the extent of the necessary repairs will influence the overall roof inspection cost.
Professional roof repairs or replacements require permits and increase roof inspection costs. Roof cleaning avoids pricey issues and a complete commercial roof inspection requires seeing the inspector and receiving a report. Visit QDRUSA to learn more about how to improve roof maintenance inspections and save money.
