A damaged roof exposes your home to leaks, mold, rot, and pests – and exposes your wallet to high roof replacement costs. The cost to inspect a roof ranges from $0.19 to $0.23 per square foot of roofing.
The average roof size in the U.S. is 1,700 square feet. So, the total cost is about $323 for physical inspection and about $391 for drone or infrared inspection.
We estimated our prices based on the average inspection costs across the U.S., from big cities to small towns. Your specific cost will depend on the type of inspection, the size of your roof, and the place you live.
Cost by Location
The cost of roofing inspection varies depending on where you live. If you live in a metropolitan city, labor costs are usually higher than in rural areas. Moreover, if you live in a place like Tornado Alley, you’ll probably need to inspect your roof more often for missing or loose shingles and hail damage.
The table below shows the average cost to inspect a roof across the country. The lower ends are based on the physical examination by a roofing contractor. Higher ends are based on a drone or infrared inspection, which gives a more in-depth report of your roof.
| City | Average Cost to Inspect a Roof (Including planning, setup, and cleanup) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $346 – $419 |
| New York, NY | $478 – $579 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Athen, GA | $281 – $288 |
| Charlotte, NC | $283 – $343 |
| Huntsville, AL | $293 – $355 |
| Bradenton, FL | $313 – $379 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Bexley, OH | $320 – $388 |
| Bargersville, IN | $323 – $392 |
| Peoria, IL | $362 – $439 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Aurora, OR | $313 – $379 |
| Boise, ID | $323 – $392 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Allen, TX | $290 – $351 |
| Roswell, NM | $297 – $359 |
| San Jose, CA | $478 – $539 |
Locations with more aggressive climates require more frequent roof inspections and a higher annual cost. Rainy and humid regions require more frequent roof inspections because they’re at a higher risk of moss, algae, and water infiltration into the insulation layer.
Cost by Roof Size
All certified inspectors take roof size into account when estimating their price. Some give a price per square foot; others use a flat fee for size intervals. For example, an inspector might have a set price for roofs under 1,500 square feet, another for roofs between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet, and a different fee for roofs over 3,000 square feet.
The prices range from $0.19 to $0.23 per square foot. See the table to understand how much it would cost on average for different roof sizes:
| Roof Size | Average Overall Cost |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $190 – $230 |
| 1,700 sq. ft. | $323 – $391 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $570 – $690 |
Cost by Type of Inspection
The most affordable and popular roof inspection is the traditional physical one. Still, in some cases, it might not be enough. You might need a drone survey for a high, steep roof, and hidden damage can require an infrared inspection.
| Inspection type | Typical price range |
| Physical roof inspection | $85 – $220 |
| Drone roof inspection | $140 – $430 |
| Infrared roof inspection | $400 – $600 |
- The most common type is the traditional physical roof inspection in which the inspector climbs onto the roof to check for wear and damage. The inspection also includes your indoor walls, ceiling, and attic.
- If you have a steep roof or areas that are more difficult to access, you might need to ask for a drone inspection. The drone pilot must have a valid FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) license to conduct surveys legally.
- An infrared roof inspection is also known as an infrared thermo-scan. It’s often used to identify trapped moisture in flat and low-sloped roofs. It’s handy for detecting hidden damage and wet insulation.
Cost by Material
Roof inspectors follow similar survey steps regardless of the roofing material. The difference comes from their experience in identifying damage specific to different materials.
An inspector familiar with your roofing style can catch damage others might miss. But if it’s a less common material in your area, you might pay more for this expertise.
Cost by Roof Slope and Accessibility
Your roof’s slope can affect how much you spend on an inspection. For example, inspecting a flat roof costs less because the surface is easy to access and examine. You might pay more for a physical inspection if
- Your home has a steep slope or pitched roof (generally a pitch over 18 degrees).
- The roof has a complex structure, with many valleys and ridges that make the survey difficult.
- Your house is tall (more than one story), so it’s riskier to climb a ladder to the roof.
If your roof fits any of these situations — you may need a more advanced and costly inspection, like a drone or infrared scan, for a more detailed evaluation.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
Cost to get Roof Certification
A roof certification differs from a roof inspection report, and you’ll pay an extra $75 to $200 for certification. The certificate describes the condition of the roof (age, materials, old repairs, etc). It also predicts roof lifespan. Most certify the roof is moisture-proof or leak-proof for 1 to 5 years.
Tip: Consider certifying your roof if you want to sell the house to attract people, need to make an insurance claim, or plan to take out a high loan-to-value mortgage (most lenders require it).
Note: A roof certification is also different from a roof warranty. The roofing company issues a warranty as a guarantee for new roof installation, roof repairs, or replacement.
Cost for Attic Inspection
Professional roof inspection prices do not always include the attic automatically. Check this when you compare fees because an attic inspection can add $200 to $500 to your cost.
Attic inspections check for issues like mold, leaks, pest infestations, and damaged vents or ducts that could affect your home’s condition.
FAQ
We do not recommend taking it upon yourself to climb on the roof and inspect or repair it because you might:
• Lose insurance coverage if the inspection is not done by a professional
• Fall down and get hurt
• Miss some important repairs
• Damage your attic or roof if you don’t know what you’re doing
There are four main situations when you should think about getting a roof inspection:
• When you buy a new home
• Before the wet season
• After a strong wind or hail storm
• If you see signs of roof damage, such as wet spots or mold on your ceiling; broken, curled, or missing shingles; rusted or missing flashings; or tree branches on your roof
Roof inspection takes between 45 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the size of the roof, steepness and complexity, and the degree of damage.
Whom to Call for Help
When it comes to roofing-related issues, you can save more money only if the roof is repaired as soon as possible.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Read More:
— How Much Does Roof Leak Repair Cost?
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