If you’ve spotted a leak or a stray shingle in the yard, you’re probably wondering how long a roof inspection takes. Most people don’t want to burn a whole afternoon waiting on a contractor. The good news? It’s usually pretty fast. A real pro needs to check the attic, examine your shingles, walk the perimeter, inspect the flashing, and verify the gutters.
If your house is a basic one-story, it might take only 45 minutes. If you have a large place with many different roof levels, it could take two hours. It is a tiny bit of time to spend to make sure your ceiling doesn’t start dripping next time it pours.
Typical Roof Inspection Timespan
When a contractor pulls up, they won’t be there all day. For a standard residential home, the actual inspection usually wraps up in about 45 to 90 minutes. This isn’t just a quick glance from the driveway. The inspector has to set up a ladder, safely get on the roof and walk the entire surface.
They spend time looking at the “problem spots” like valleys and vents. If they find something suspicious, they might stay up there a bit longer to take photos or measurements. Unless your house is a literal castle, you’ll have your answers before lunch.
Factors Affecting Inspection Time
Every roof is built a little differently. A few specific things will determine if the inspector is there for a quick check or a longer deep dive.
The Total Size of Your Home
It’s simple math: more roof equals more time. If you have a huge house, the inspector has to walk a lot more miles of shingles to find the soft spots. A tiny cottage is a thirty-minute job. A sprawling ranch will keep someone busy for a lot longer because there is just more ground to cover.
The Pitch and Slope
Flat roofs are easy to walk. The work goes fast. But if the pitch is so steep that you’d slide off without a rope, the inspector has to slow down. They need safety gear and special boots just to stay upright. No one wants to fall, so steep roofs always add extra time to the visit.
Chimneys and Skylights
Every hole in your roof is a spot for a leak. Chimneys, vents and skylights are where water finds a way in. If you have a lot of stuff poking through the shingles, the inspector has to check the metal flashing around every single one. That kind of detail work takes a while.
Getting Into the Attic
A real inspection doesn’t just happen on the outside. A pro needs to get inside your attic. They are looking at the rafters for water stains or mold. If your attic is packed with old boxes or hard to reach, it is going to take them longer to navigate the space and find the entry points for leaks.
Conclusion
Finding out how long a roof inspection takes makes home maintenance way easier. It is a quick visit where a pro will check the attic, examine shingles, walk the perimeter, inspect flashing and verify gutters. Spending an hour on this now prevents a massive financial headache later. At Precision Roofing, we find the small leaks before they rot your rafters. Whether you need a roof restoration or a full asphalt roof installation, we have the local experience to get it done. For a straight answer on your roof, contact us today.
FAQs
What does a roof inspection cover?
It covers everything from shingles and gutters to flashing and the attic. The goal is to find spots where water is sneaking in before you see a leak inside.
How many hours does it take to put on a roof?
A crew of four or five guys can usually finish a standard house in 16 to 24 hours. That usually means two full workdays if the sun is out and the weather stays clear.
How much does a roof inspection cost?
The price depends on the house’s size and height. You should get a quote from a local team to see if they offer free estimates for repairs or flat-rate deep dives for insurance.