Roof inspection pricing varies a lot depending on who you ask, and that's usually because "inspection" doesn't mean the same thing to every company. Some are a five-minute look from the ground. Others are a genuinely thorough walk of the roof, the attic, and every penetration point. The price difference reflects that gap.
What a Paid Inspection Typically Costs
A paid roof inspection generally runs $150 to $400. Basic visual inspections sit at the lower end, roughly $150 to $250, usually a walk of the roof surface checking for obvious damage, wear, and missing material. Comprehensive inspections that add an attic walk-through and moisture detection run $250 to $400, since they take longer and require checking areas a quick surface pass would miss entirely.
What Actually Drives the Price
The main variable is scope, not the roof itself. A basic visual check takes 15 to 30 minutes and covers what's visible from the surface. A comprehensive inspection adds an attic walk checking for staining, sagging, or daylight where there shouldn't be any, plus a closer look at flashing, vents, skylights, and valleys, exactly the areas covered in our guide on what to expect during a professional roof inspection. Roof size, pitch, and access also factor in, the same way they do for repair estimates.
The Pre-Purchase Case
This is where a paid inspection earns its cost many times over. A general home inspector covers the whole house in one visit and often isn't a roofing specialist, which means roof-specific issues can get missed or under-reported. A dedicated roof inspection from a roofing contractor, run alongside or instead of that general inspection, costs $150 to $400 and can catch problems that would otherwise surface as an unexpected $15,000 to $30,000 replacement after closing. For a purchase that size, it's a small number to skip.
Why We Don't Charge for Ours
We built our free inspection to cover the same ground a $250 to $400 comprehensive inspection would, roof surface, attic, flashing, and vents, without the fee. The logic is simple: we'd rather earn your repair or replacement business by showing you exactly what's actually going on, with no obligation attached, than charge upfront for information that should be free to begin with. If it's been a while since your last check, our guide on how often you should get your roof inspected covers the timing worth planning around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a roof inspection cost? +
A paid roof inspection typically runs $150 to $400. Basic visual inspections sit at the lower end, roughly $150 to $250, while comprehensive inspections that include an attic walk and moisture detection run $250 to $400.
What's the difference between a basic and comprehensive roof inspection? +
A basic inspection is typically a visual walk of the roof surface from the ground or the roof itself. A comprehensive inspection adds an attic walk-through, moisture detection, and a closer look at flashing, vents, and other penetration points, which is why it costs more.
Is a roof inspection worth it before buying a house? +
Almost always. A $150 to $400 inspection from a dedicated roofing contractor can catch problems a general home inspector misses, potentially saving a buyer from an unexpected $15,000 to $30,000 roof replacement discovered after closing.
Do you charge for roof inspections? +
No. We provide free inspections for homeowners in our service area, covering the same visual and attic-level checks a paid inspection includes, with no obligation to move forward with any repair.
How often should I get my roof inspected? +
Most roofs benefit from an inspection once a year, plus after any major storm. Our guide on how often you should get your roof inspected covers the specific triggers worth watching for between annual checks.
Whether you pay for one elsewhere or take ours for free, the point is the same: a real inspection tells you what's actually happening on your roof before it turns into a bigger, more expensive problem. That's worth more than whatever the visit costs.