Roof surveys help assess the state of a roof, uncovering issues that may require attention. A roof inspection aims to determine the roof’s current condition, identify any potential problems or areas of concern, and provide recommendations for repairs or maintenance as needed. Roof inspections are typically performed before buying or selling a home, after a significant weather event, or as part of a regular maintenance schedule. A properly conducted roof survey ensures that a building remains secure, prevents major repair expenses, and keeps the roof in top condition.

An insurance company may require a roof inspection for a variety of reasons. When insuring a newly purchased home, an inspection ensures the roof meets policy requirements. A roof check allows the insurer to assess whether immediate repairs are necessary before issuing coverage. Similarly, if you are filing a claim with your insurance company, they may require a roof inspection to determine the extent of the damage and whether the damage was caused by a covered event (such as a storm or hail). Insurance providers sometimes require roof inspections when renewing a home insurance policy to review potential risks. Evaluating the roof condition helps insurers decide on policy terms and possible premium adjustments. Overall, a roof inspection is typically required by an insurance company to evaluate the roof’s condition and determine the risk of insuring the property.

While a roof inspection and a roof survey serve similar functions, they differ in how comprehensive they are. A roof inspection is a visual examination of the roof and its components conducted by one of SNR Roofing’s professional contractors. During an inspection, the roofing materials, flashing, skylights, and chimneys are all checked for any visible damage or wear. The inspection focuses on spotting issues such as leaks, deterioration, or structural weaknesses that might affect the roof. Roof inspections help identify roofing concerns and offer expert recommendations for maintenance or fixes. Unlike roof surveys, inspections do not usually include in-depth testing, focusing instead on current visible conditions. A roof survey offers a far more thorough and technical analysis compared to a standard inspection. While surveys include visual assessments, they also incorporate technical measurements and diagnostic tests. Surveyors may use specialised tools to check for trapped moisture, structural weaknesses, or invisible defects. Due to their detailed nature, roof surveys generally take longer and are more costly than regular inspections. Roof surveys are often used for larger or more complex roofs or when more detailed information about the roof’s condition is needed for repair or maintenance purposes.

Buying or selling a property? Before purchasing or selling, a roof inspection helps identify any necessary repairs or concerns. After a storm, hail, or other severe weather: If your area has experienced a storm, hail, or other weather events that may have damaged your roof, a roof inspection can help to determine the extent of the damage and identify any repairs that may be needed. If your roof is reaching 20 years or older: Older roofs are prone to leaks, structural issues, and general wear—an inspection can help detect these problems early. Struggling with roofing issues? Roof inspections diagnose structural issues, leaks, and potential repair needs to prevent costly damage.

How quickly you get your roof inspection report depends on the size of the roof, the level of assessment needed, and our availability. A typical roof survey lasts a few hours, though larger or more complex roofs may take longer. Once the inspection is finished, our team will process the results and create a comprehensive report detailing our findings. How long it takes to prepare the report is influenced by the complexity of the survey and required documentation. On average, you can expect to receive your full report a few days after the inspection is carried out. For residential properties, we often offer an initial inspection summary on the same day.