Roof Inspection Checklist for Roofing Contractors (Printable)

A checklist keeps every inspection consistent, so you do not skip the same detail on a busy day. It also gives you a record you can show a homeowner or attach to an insurance claim.

This list is a general starting point. Adapt it to your roof types, local building codes and manufacturer requirements. For the report that follows the inspection, see how to write a roof inspection report.

Walk or view the roof in a consistent order, such as slope by slope. Look for missing, cracked, curled or lifted shingles, granule loss, exposed fasteners and signs of hail bruising or wind creasing. Check ridge and hip caps, and look at gutters and downspouts for clogs, granules and damage.

Photograph each finding with a wide shot for location and a close shot for detail. For storm work, the hail damage inspection guide goes deeper on what to look for.

Most leaks start at the details, not in the middle of a shingle field. Check pipe boots, chimney and wall flashing, valleys, skylights and vents. Look for cracked or dried sealant, lifted flashing, rust, gaps and debris that holds water.

Note the exact location of each finding so someone else can find it later. Labeling photos by slope or roof area keeps the report clear.

From the attic, check the underside of the decking for water stains, dampness, daylight and mold. Look at rafters and trusses for cracks, bowing or rot, and check ventilation and insulation. From the roof, feel for soft spots or sagging.

Rotted decking is often found only at tear-off. If you discover it then, document it with photos and measurements. See how to document rotted decking at tear-off.

Good documentation records what you saw, where, and the photo that shows it. Avoid guessing at cause in the field notes unless you can support it. Date the inspection, name the address and keep the photos with the notes.

For an insurance claim, a clear package makes it easier for the adjuster to follow your findings. The roof damage report template and the free supplement checklist show what to include.

Give the homeowner a written summary with the findings, the recommended work and the reasons. Be factual about what is storm damage, what is wear and what is unclear. If the roof is part of an insurance claim, tell them the carrier decides coverage and that you can supply documentation.

Keep your photos organized by address and date so you can find them if the claim reopens or the carrier asks questions.

Supplement Snap lets a crew capture photos, label the roof area and add notes by typing or voice, then builds a report for the adjuster. It is built for insurance restoration documentation, not as a full inspection or measurement platform. See how it works or view the sample report.