Not sure what a roof report is or if you need one? Learn when they’re required, what’s included, and how they differ from a roof walkthrough.
Picture this—your insurance renewal is coming up in about a month, and your agent tells you that you need a roof report.
Now you’re trying to figure out what that actually means. Where do you get one? What does it include? And why do they need it in the first place?
You might also run into this if you’re buying or selling a home, where someone asks for documentation on the roof and you’re not sure what’s required.
What a Roof Report Actually Is
A roof report is a formal document that shows the current condition of your roof.
It includes photos, notes on any damage or wear, and a clear summary that can be shared with a third party—like an insurance company, buyer, or seller.
Unlike a basic inspection, it’s structured and documented in a way that can be officially reviewed and referenced when needed.
When You Might Need a Roof Report
- Insurance renewal or coverage verification
Your insurance company may ask for a roof report to confirm the condition of your roof before continuing or approving coverage. - Buying a home
A roof report can give you a clearer picture of the roof’s condition beyond a standard home inspection. - Selling a home
Buyers may request documentation to understand the condition of the roof before moving forward. - When an insurance carrier requests documentation
In some cases, they’ll specifically ask for a report before making a decision on coverage.
What’s Included in a Roof Report
- Photos of the roof and key areas
This includes the overall roof, as well as areas like vents, flashing, and other components. - Notes on any damage or wear
Clear observations on what’s been found, whether it’s minor wear or something that needs attention. - An overall condition summary
A straightforward summary of the roof’s condition so it’s easy to understand where things stand. - A clean, organized document you can share
Everything is put together in a format that can be submitted to insurance companies, buyers, or sellers.
Roof Report vs Walkthrough
A walkthrough is designed to help you understand what’s going on with your roof.
A roof report, on the other hand, is formal documentation meant to be shared with someone else—like an insurance company, buyer, or seller.
They serve two different purposes. Most homeowners don’t need a report unless they’ve been asked for one.
What This Actually Means
If no one has asked you for a roof report, you probably don’t need one right now.
Most homeowners start with a walkthrough to understand what’s actually going on. From there, it becomes much easier to decide if a report is even necessary.
The goal is to get clarity first. Once you know the condition of your roof, you can decide if you need documentation or if a simple repair or next step makes more sense.
What To Do Next
That’s why we start with a walkthrough.
We get on the roof, document everything with photos, and record a video where we walk you through what we’re seeing so it feels like you’re right there with us.
If you do need a roof report, we can put that together as well—but it starts with understanding what’s actually going on.
At the end of the day, you get clear information and can decide what makes the most sense for your situation.
