Plenty of companies offer a free inspection after a storm. What matters is what happens during it. Ours takes 30 to 60 minutes for most houses and covers four places.
Every slope we can safely walk
Shingles for bruises, cracks, lifted or missing tabs and granule loss; we mark hail hits inside a test square on each slope so the pattern is easy to see.
The flashing and penetrations
Chimneys, walls, skylights, pipe boots, exhaust caps and valleys, the places where most leaks really start.
The attic
Water stains, frost on nails in winter, daylight where it shouldn't be, the ventilation and the insulation depth.
The soft metals and siding
Gutters, downspouts, window wraps, vents and the AC fins, which show hail size and direction better than shingles.
Then we come down and tell you, in plain words, which of four answers it is: nothing needed, a repair with a written price, damage worth showing your insurance company, or a roof near the end of its life that should be replaced on your own schedule. You get the photos by text or email the same day.
When to ask for one
- Within a few weeks of any storm with hail you could hear on the roof or see in the yard. Iowa policies set a deadline for reporting damage, so check yours and don't wait for the leak.
- Before you buy or sell a house, so the roof isn't the surprise in the inspection report.
- When the roof passes 15 years, and every few years after.
- Any time you see a stain, granules piling below a downspout, or shingles in the yard.
A word about door-knockers. After big hail, crews from out of state go door to door offering free roofs. Some do fine work; some are gone when the warranty matters. Ask any roofer for proof of insurance, their Iowa Division of Labor registration and a local phone number that will still ring next year.
What an inspection costs
| Work | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Roof, flashing, gutters and attic inspection | $0 | Always free |
| Photo report sent by text or email | $0 | Same day |
| Meeting your insurance adjuster on the roof | $0 | When you're filing a claim with us |
| Drone photos of a steep or fragile roof | $0 | When walking it isn't safe |
| Written repair or replacement price | $0 | Before any work |
The inspection, the photos and the written price are free with no obligation. If the roof needs nothing, that's what we'll tell you.
On the roof
Questions about free roof inspection
What's the catch with a free inspection?
There isn't one. It's how we meet homeowners, and most of them call us again for the next roof even when this one needs nothing.
Do I have to be home?
Not for the roof itself, as long as we can reach it. We'd like to see the attic, though, and we're glad to walk you through the photos on the spot.
Can you tell me if I should file a claim?
We can tell you whether we see damage consistent with the storm and whether it looks like more than a typical deductible. The decision and the claim belong to you and your insurer.
How soon after a storm should I call?
Within a few weeks is wise. Damage is easier to tie to a storm date when it's fresh, and your policy sets a deadline for reporting.
Can you inspect in winter?
Yes, unless the roof is snow-covered or icy. Winter is a good time to check the attic for frost and ventilation problems.
Do you inspect commercial and flat roofs?
Yes. Flat roofs get a core-cut or moisture check where it's useful, and the photo report goes to the owner or property manager.
