How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?

A roof inspection might not be at the top of my mind until something leaks or cracks. But staying ahead of those problems saves you money, stress, and potential damage to your home. At American Quality Remodeling, we offer thorough, professional roof inspections across New Jersey. Whether you just bought a home, experienced a rough storm, or haven’t checked your roof in a while, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ll go over why roof inspections matter, the different ways they’re done, how long they take, and what can affect the timeline.

Why Roof Inspections Are Necessary

Your roof protects everything underneath it. Over time, even the strongest materials wear down – sun, rain, snow, and wind take their toll. A good inspection helps catch small issues like lifted shingles or cracked flashing before they lead to interior leaks or structural problems.

If you’re buying a house, an inspection gives you a clear picture of what you’re walking into. If you’re already a homeowner, it gives you peace of mind – and sometimes, required documentation for your insurance provider. Many companies won’t cover storm damage without a record of routine roof checkups. After big storms, inspections are even more critical. Not all damage is visible from the ground. A few missing shingles might not seem like a big deal, but rot and mold can follow if water gets underneath.

Types of Roof Inspections

Roof inspection is not a one-size-fits-all process. The method we use depends on the construction, condition and accessibility of your roof. Below are the most common types of inspections we perform.

Physical Roof Inspection

This is the hands-on approach. We walk directly on the roof to check for damaged shingles, cracked tiles, loose flashing, and any signs of wear. It gives us the most direct view – but only when the roof is safe and stable enough to support foot traffic.

Ground-Level Inspection

When a roof is too steep, high, or fragile, we stay on the ground and use binoculars or high-resolution cameras. This method is less invasive but still effective for spotting obvious damage or wear on accessible surfaces.

Drone Inspection

Drones are used for large and complex roofs. They allow us to safely take detailed aerial photos in hard-to-reach areas, including high peaks, valleys, and areas around chimneys and skylights. This method is fast and accurate, plus it avoids any additional damage to the roof.

Infrared (Thermal) Imaging Inspection

This type of inspection uses thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden moisture, trapped water and gaps in insulation. If you suspect a leak or loss of energy, but there are no obvious visual signs, this method can help you get to the bottom of the problem. Heat patterns help us detect damage before it becomes visible.

Attic Inspection

When inspecting roofing problems, it is very important to assess the condition of the attic. We look for water stains, mold, soft wood and poor ventilation. Sometimes the first signs of roof problems show up indoors long before they become noticeable from the outside.

Typical Duration of a Roof Inspection

Let’s talk time. There’s no one exact timeframe for a roof inspection. On average, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the property size, the type of roof, and the inspection method used.

Inspections of small residential homes are usually quick – about 30 to 45 minutes. These roofs are often simple, single-level, and easy to access.

Medium-sized homes take a bit longer, usually between 45 and 90 minutes, especially if multiple roof sections or an attic need checking.

Large homes with complex roofing, like those with steep slopes, multiple chimneys, or skylights, typically need 1 to 2 hours for a full inspection. There’s more ground – or in this case, roof – to cover.

Commercial properties can be even more involved. Flat roofs, HVAC systems, and wide surface areas mean these inspections can run 2 to 4 hours or more.

Our approach at American Quality Remodeling is simple: we take the time necessary to get it right without rushing or cutting corners.

Factors That Affect Inspection Duration

Several things can speed up or slow down your roof inspection. The first and most apparent is roof size. A bigger roof takes more time to inspect, especially if it includes different sections or angles.

Next is complexity. Roofs with multiple levels, valleys, dormers, chimneys, or skylights take longer to navigate and examine. Every added feature means more inspection points.

Accessibility also matters. If the roof is steep, high, or has limited safe access, it may take extra time to set up ladders, drones, or use alternate inspection methods.

The roofing material can also affect the process. Asphalt shingles are quick to inspect, but slate, tile, or metal roofs require more careful handling and sometimes a more detailed look.

Roof age and condition play a big role. An older roof with visible wear or previous patch jobs will need a closer inspection than a newer one that is in good shape.

Weather is another factor. If it’s too windy, wet, or icy, some inspection steps might be delayed or take longer for safety reasons.

Finally, the inspector’s experience matters. A trained professional knows what to look for and how to spot issues quickly without missing important details.

Preparing for Your Roof Inspection

If you want the inspection to go smoothly, there are a few simple things you can do beforehand.

First, make the space available for work. If the inspector will need to get into the attic, make sure the entrance isn’t blocked and things aren’t obstructing the work.

Next, remove obstacles around the perimeter of the home. Move furniture or anything that could block access to the roof or interfere with the installation of a ladder. The easier it is for us to move, the faster and safer the job will go.

Prepare any documentation that includes the age of your roof, warranty information, or records of previous repairs, for example. This will help us understand what we’re working with and more effectively identify problem areas.

Finally, it will be helpful to prepare a short list of questions. If you notice a leak or have any concerns, let us know ahead of time. That way we can focus on what is most important to you during the inspection.

What to Expect After the Inspection

Once your roof inspection is complete, we won’t leave you guessing. You’ll receive a full report that outlines everything we found – good or bad – along with clear, honest recommendations. Most reports are delivered within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the complexity of the inspection and whether additional testing (like thermal imaging) was used.

The report will cover any visible damage, wear, or risk areas we found and photos to show you exactly what we’re talking about. We’ll also include suggestions for next steps – whether that’s simple maintenance, small repairs, or a full roof replacement in more serious cases.

If repairs are needed, we’ll walk you through the options. You’ll know what’s urgent, what can wait, and what it’ll cost.

We also help clients set up regular inspection schedules, especially if the roof is older or has had previous issues. Staying ahead of problems is always cheaper and easier than dealing with surprise leaks or structural damage.