← Homeowner guides

What happens at a no-cost roof inspection?

A no-cost inspection is a visit from a roofer to check your roof for damage and wear. There is no cost and you are not obligated to hire them.

What the roofer checks

• Shingles or tiles for bruises, cracks, missing granules, or punctures.
• Metal parts such as vents, flashing, gutters, and drip edge for dents.
• Signs of leaks in the attic or on ceilings, if you allow them inside.
• The roof’s general age and condition.

Most roofers take photos so you can see what they found.

What you get afterward

The roofer should tell you what they found and show you the photos. If there is damage, they may give you a written estimate for repair or replacement. What happens next is your decision.

If the roofer finds storm damage

You can choose whether to contact your insurance company. Your insurer decides what your policy covers, usually after its own adjuster inspects. A roofer can’t promise that insurance will cover anything, and in Texas and Colorado a roofer may not negotiate a claim for you.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance: roofing and insurance, know the law

Questions to ask the roofer

• Do you have a local address, and can you show proof of liability insurance?
• Can you give me references from recent jobs nearby?
• Will I get a written contract before any work starts? (Texas and Colorado require written contracts for many insurance-related roofing jobs.)
• In Denver, roofers must hold a city contractor license. Ask for the license number. (source)

Red flags

• Anyone who promises that insurance will pay for a new roof.
• Pressure to sign a contract on the spot, especially right after a storm.
• Offers that sound too good to be true.
• Asking for full payment before work begins.

RoofTester is not an insurance company, insurance agent, or adjuster. We don’t handle insurance claims or give claim advice. Only your insurance company decides what your policy covers. This page is general information, not insurance or legal advice.