Written Roof Inspection Report in Hempstead, NY

What does a roof inspection report contain?

The date, the areas inspected, the findings, the photographs, the repairs needed now, the parts to watch and the next check date. A clear report is short and specific.

The report starts with the date, the address and the areas inspected. It lists each finding with its location, a short description and a photograph reference. Each finding is then marked as needing repair now, watching or no action needed.

The report closes with the next check date and the parts most likely to need attention. A homeowner who keeps the report can see the roof's history and the changes over time.

What is the value of a dated baseline?

A dated report shows the roof's condition before a storm or a sale, so any later damage can be separated from what was already there.

A roof that has been inspected and recorded before a storm is easier to assess after it. The insurer or the buyer can see what was present before, and the damage found after the storm is measured against that record.

A baseline does not prevent damage. It makes the evidence clearer, and it helps the homeowner decide where to spend on repairs and where to wait.

What does the report not cover?

The structure of the house, the hidden parts of the roof not reached safely, and the claim decision. The report states its limits in plain terms.

The report describes the roof and the attic as they could be reached safely on the day. It does not assess the structure of the house, and it does not cover parts of the roof that were hidden or could not be reached. The insurer or a structural engineer decides those matters.

The report does not decide any insurance claim. It is a record of the condition, and the insurer decides coverage under the policy.

How often should a roof be reported on?

At a sale, at a refinance, after a major storm and at least every few years for an older roof. A check before winter is a sensible time for the regular report.

A roof that is many years old should be reported on at least every few years, and after any major storm. A report before winter helps the homeowner plan for ice and snow, and a report at a sale or refinance gives both sides a clear record.

The homeowner should keep each report with the other property records, so the history is available when it is needed.

What should a homeowner do with the report?

Keep it with the house records, act on the repairs listed now, and watch the parts listed for watching. Share it with the insurer or buyer only with the homeowner's agreement.

The report is the homeowner's document. It should be kept safely, and the repairs it lists should be scheduled. The parts to watch should be checked after the next storm, and the date of the next check should go on the calendar.

Sharing the report is the homeowner's decision. An insurer or a buyer may ask for it, and the homeowner can agree to share it when the time comes.

• Keep the report with the house records
• Schedule the repairs listed as needed now
• Check the parts listed for watching after each storm
• Put the next check date on the calendar

How should the report be read by a buyer or a lender?

As a dated record of the roof on one day, with the limits stated. A buyer or lender should read the repairs needed now and the parts to watch, and should ask for the next check date.

A buyer or a lender reads the report for the condition on the day and the parts that need attention. The report states its limits, such as the parts that could not be reached safely, and those limits should be read as part of the report rather than ignored.

The next check date and the list of parts to watch show what has been done and what still needs doing. A buyer who asks for a fresh inspection at the next check date can compare the two reports directly.