Last Updated: June 8, 2026
A roof inspection checklist covers the shingles, flashing, gutters, and roofline from the outside, then the attic, insulation, and decking from the inside. A professional inspector checks both halves in one visit. In New Jersey, where nor’easters and summer humidity both take a toll, that combination catches problems a ground-level look misses.
What Does a Roof Inspection Cover?
A full roof inspection has two parts: the exterior and the interior. The exterior check covers shingles, flashing, gutters, soffits, and the roofline. The interior check covers the attic: insulation, ventilation, decking, and any signs of moisture. Skipping either half leaves gaps. A clean-looking roof from the curb can still have a wet attic, and a dry attic doesn’t rule out flashing that’s about to fail.
Most inspectors work the same direction every time: exterior first, then attic, then a written summary. That order isn’t arbitrary. Exterior damage often explains what shows up inside, so checking the roof surface before climbing into the attic gives the inspector a head start on diagnosing anything they find.
Exterior Roof Inspection Checklist
A thorough exterior inspection starts at the roofline and works down to the gutters. Here’s what gets checked, in roughly the order an inspector walks it:
- Shingles: Missing, cracked, curling, or buckled shingles, plus granule loss in valleys and at the eaves
- Flashing: Metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vent boots, checked for rust, gaps, or lifting
- Roof valleys and penetrations: Areas where water concentrates, including pipe boots and any roof-mounted equipment
- Gutters and downspouts: Secure attachment, proper slope toward the downspouts, and clogs or debris buildup
- Soffits and fascia: Rot, cracking, or water staining, which often points to a leak higher up
- Roofline and ridge: Sagging sections, which can mean structural damage or moisture trapped under the decking
Granule loss deserves a closer look than most homeowners give it. A few granules in the gutter after a storm is normal wear. A steady accumulation, especially on a roof under 15 years old, usually means the shingles are losing their protective layer faster than they should, and it’s worth a closer inspection rather than a write-off.
Interior and Attic Inspection Checklist
The attic tells a different story than the roof surface, and it’s often the more honest one. From inside, an inspector checks:
- Insulation: Damp spots, compression, or mold growth, all of which point to moisture getting in somewhere
- Ventilation: Whether intake and exhaust vents are clear and balanced, since blocked vents trap heat and moisture year-round
- Water stains: Dark patches on rafters, sheathing, or ceiling drywall, which mark where water has already traveled
- Daylight through the decking: Visible light coming through the roof boards, a clear sign of a hole or gap
- Decking condition: Sagging, soft spots, or discoloration in the plywood or boards under the shingles
Daylight through the decking is the one item on this list that’s impossible to argue with. If you can see outside from inside your attic, that’s not a maybe. It’s a confirmed gap, and it’s usually smaller than the leak it’s already causing.
When to Schedule a Roof Inspection in New Jersey
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting a roof at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and again after any severe weather event. That timing works especially well in New Jersey, where roofs deal with two distinct stress seasons: winter ice and wind, then summer heat and humidity.
A spring inspection catches whatever winter left behind: ice dam damage along the eaves, lifted shingles from wind, and gutters packed with debris from fall storms that never got cleared. A fall inspection checks that the roof is ready for the next round of snow load and freeze-thaw cycling before it arrives.
Beyond the seasonal schedule, inspect after any of these:
- A hailstorm or high-wind event
- A nor’easter or tropical system with sustained winds
- Any visible storm damage repair needs, even minor
- Before buying or selling a home
- Before filing an insurance claim
Roofs over 15 years old benefit from more frequent checks regardless of season, since aging shingles and underlayment lose their margin for error.
Does a Roof Inspection Cost Money?
It depends on who you call. Independent inspectors and some roofing companies charge for a standalone inspection, and roof inspection pricing varies by scope; a basic visual walk-through is a different service than a drone inspection or an infrared moisture scan, and they’re priced differently because they find different things.
American Home Contractors offers a free roof inspection for homeowners in Morris, Essex, Union, Somerset, and Bergen Counties. There’s no cost to find out what’s actually going on with your roof before you decide whether you need a repair, a tune-up, or nothing at all.
DIY vs. Professional Roof Inspection
A homeowner can do a useful visual check from the ground. A professional inspection covers more ground, literally and otherwise.
| DIY Inspection | Professional Inspection | |
| Vantage point | Ground level or binoculars | Roof surface, plus attic access |
| Scope | Visible exterior issues only | Exterior, interior, and decking |
| Documentation | None | Written report with photos |
| Insurance use | Not typically accepted | Often required for claims |
| Risk | Safe if done from the ground | Requires training and equipment |
That last row matters more than it looks. Roofing consistently ranks among the most dangerous trades in the country. BLS data puts the roofing industry’s fatal injury rate at 51.8 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2023, the third-highest rate of any occupation, and the large majority of roofer fatalities come from falls, slips, and trips. That’s not a reason to avoid inspecting your roof. It’s a reason to do your portion of it from the ground and leave the climbing to someone trained for it.
What Happens After Your Roof Is Inspected?
A real inspection ends with a report, not a verbal “looks fine.” The report should list what was checked, what was found, and what, if anything, needs attention, ideally with photos attached.
From there, you’re looking at one of three outcomes. If the roof checks out, you’ve got a documented baseline and a reason to wait until the next scheduled inspection. If there’s isolated damage, like a section of lifted flashing or a few cracked shingles, that’s worth a repair consultation. When the inspection turns up widespread granule loss, multiple leak points, or decking damage across the roof, replacement is the more honest recommendation, even though it’s the bigger conversation to have.
A good inspector tells you which of these three you’re in without padding the answer. If you’re not sure which one applies to your roof, a free inspection is the fastest way to find out.
Conclusion
A roof inspection only does its job if it covers both the outside and the inside, and if it happens on a schedule rather than after something’s already wrong. The checklist matters less than the consistency. Twice a year, after storms, and before you sign anything related to buying, selling, or insuring the house.
If you’re not sure when your roof was last inspected, that’s reason enough to schedule one.
FAQs
What does a roof inspection consist of?
A roof inspection covers the exterior (shingles, flashing, gutters, and roofline) and the interior (attic insulation, ventilation, decking, and signs of water intrusion). A complete inspection checks both, not just one.
What should I ask during a roof inspection?
Ask what was checked, what the inspector found, and whether you’ll get a written report with photos. Also ask whether anything found needs immediate attention or can wait until the next scheduled inspection.
What makes a roof fail an inspection?
Active leaks, decking that’s soft or sagging, missing or significantly degraded shingles across large sections, and damaged flashing around chimneys or vents are the most common reasons a roof gets flagged for repair or replacement.
How often should I get my roof inspected in New Jersey?
Twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after any major storm. Roofs over 15 years old should be checked more often regardless of season.
Can I inspect my own roof?
You can do a safe, useful visual check from the ground or with binoculars, looking for missing shingles, sagging areas, or debris in the gutters. A full inspection of the attic and roof surface itself should go to a trained professional.
Does AHC charge for a roof inspection?
No. American Home Contractors offers free roof inspections across Morris, Essex, Union, Somerset, and Bergen Counties.