How Long Does A Roof Inspection Take? (On Average)

Roof inspections remain essential for checking your house and its current condition. Whether you want to check a home before buying it or look for leaks or other issues, you’ll sometimes need to call a roof inspector for assistance.

However, if you plan to do something else that day, you’ll want to know how long a roof inspection takes. As you understand and know these details, you can find an answer to, “how long does a roof inspection take?”

The Roof Inspection Steps

To know how long the roof inspection takes, you must consider the steps involved with the process. Doing so will give you an idea of the process, what you should expect, and how much longer the inspector will take while they check your roof.

The Inspection Type

First, you must figure out what type of inspection you need. For example, you may want a general review before you purchase a home. On the other hand, you could go with a storm inspection if you find loose shingles on the lawn.

You should also seek an examination if your roof starts to leak. Ensure you talk with the company ahead of time, so they can give you an estimate of when they’ll arrive. For example, some businesses will try to arrive within 48 hours for wind inspections.

As you know when they’ll come, you can plan around it. Some may give you exact dates and times, while others will provide you with a time frame, so keep that in mind.

The Size Affects the Length

The size of your roof will naturally affect the process. For example, if you have a smaller house and roof, it won’t take them long to go through it. On the other hand, a large home with tons of ceilings may take multiple hours, depending on the situation.

Let the company know the size ahead of time. Doing so will help them give you a quick response to let you know, “how long does a roof inspection take?” See if you have access to the size in square feet to give them a clear-cut size.

The more information you provide, the more accurate the time frame you can receive from the business.

Getting on The Roof

When they arrive at your home, they must spend time getting on top of the roof to check it properly. Depending on the roof’s size, they may struggle to get on top of it, so give them time to get up there.

For example, a roofer will take more time to set up a ladder and get on top of a two-story home than a one-story one. If they have another person with them, they can get on the roof quicker, but it should only take up to 15 minutes.

Checking the Roof

Once they get on the roof, they’ll spend most of the time studying the details. Most businesses give inspectors a roofing checklist to follow, so they’ll have to look into those points and see if they can find problems.

They have to apply each step to the entire roof, and those steps may vary depending on the type of check. You can find them checking for a couple of hours or less based on the roof size and how quickly they go through it.

They also have to note any issues they encounter, so they’ll take more time as they find more problems with your roof.

Talking With You and Seeking Repairs

Once they finish the inspection, they’ll come down from the ceiling, which could take a few minutes. They’ll then grab your attention and let you know what they came across on the top, its problems, and how you can address it.

Once you understand what the inspector came across, you can learn what you should do next. For example, if they discover a leak, you’ll have to get that repaired and potentially replace shingles based on the situation.

The inspector may offer you some suggestions as to repairs. They’ll let you know who to contact, how much it may cost, and how long the repair could take. You’ll have to plan around your schedule and find an ideal time to approach it.

How long the time takes depends on how much they address. They could let you know the situation in a few minutes, but it could quickly become a half-hour discussion based on how long it goes on.

If you’re short on time, focus on listening and see if you can schedule repairs later. If you have more time, ask questions during the process to ensure you understand everything.

How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?

Ultimately, the time will vary based on multiple factors. For example, if you have a larger roof, numerous problems, and a long wait, it’ll take a while to get through the roof inspection. On the other hand, it can be quick if you have minimal problems and a smaller roof.

If you want a general ballpark for the time, you should set aside at least one hour for any roof inspection. However, if you have a larger home and multiple concerns, ensure you set aside various hours and wait for the inspector.

Do your best to get information from the inspector beforehand, but don’t bother them while they inspect. Doing so will only take them longer, so hold off and remain patient.

The inspection should only take a day, no matter what, so don’t expect to spend all day there. You should figure out what time works best for you, so you give yourself a buffer if you must do something later.

Final Comments

Roof inspections vary depending on the situation, but you can expect them to arrive in a few days or weeks. From there, the inspection may take around an hour or longer, depending on what you need them to check.

As you focus on the time frame and understand how long a roof inspection takes, you can plan around it and ensure you have someone home. Make sure you communicate with the business and ask questions to keep yourself informed and on time.