Roof inspections and reports
A straight answer on the condition of a roof, with photographs.
In short
A roof inspection is a proper look at the covering, the flashings, the chimney and the rainwater goods, plus the roof space from inside where access allows, ending with photographs and a clear answer on what if anything needs doing. It is worth having before buying a property, after a storm, or when a survey has flagged the roof and you want to know what that actually means in practical terms.
A lot of roofs get condemned from the pavement by people who want to sell a new one. The useful thing about an inspection is being told honestly when a roof has years left in it, which happens more often than people expect.
When an inspection is worth having
- A home survey has flagged the roof and you want it explained
- You are buying a property and want to know what you are taking on
- After a storm, to check for damage you cannot see from the ground
- Recurring damp that nobody has traced to a cause yet
- Before spending money on decorating a room under the roof
- You have been told you need a new roof and want a second opinion
What the job involves
Every roof is different, but the shape of the work is usually the same. Here is how a typical roof inspections and reports job runs.
Look at the outside
The covering, ridge, verges, valleys, flashings and chimney are all checked from a safe position on the roof.
Look at the inside
Where the loft is accessible, the timbers and the underside of the covering are checked, which often tells you more than the outside does.
Photograph it
Everything relevant is photographed, so you can see the parts of your own roof you cannot get to.
Give you a straight answer
You are told what needs doing now, what can wait, and what does not need doing at all.
Want someone to take a look?
Call 07464 695657 or send a photo on WhatsApp and you will get a straight answer on what it needs.
Roof inspections and reports near you
E Stewart Roofing Ltd covers Glasgow, Ayrshire and Central Scotland. Pick your area for local detail, or call 07464 695657 if you are not sure whether you are in range.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for a roof inspection?
Quotes for work are free. Where you want a full inspection and written report on a roof, for example before buying a property, that is a separate piece of work and you will be told the cost before we come out.
Can you tell what is wrong from a photograph?
Often well enough to say whether it is a small repair or something bigger. A photo of the affected area plus one of the whole elevation is usually enough for an initial view, though anything serious still needs looking at properly.
My survey says the roof is at the end of its life. Is that right?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. Home surveys are usually done from the ground with binoculars, and they are deliberately cautious. Getting on the roof often gives a very different and more useful answer.
How long does an inspection take?
Usually an hour or so on a typical house, longer on a larger or more complicated roof, or where the loft access is awkward.
Will you tell me if I do not need the work?
Yes. If a roof has years left in it and only needs a repair, that is what you will be told. Selling someone a roof they do not need is a short-term way to run a business.