“Free roof inspection” can sound like the opening line of a sales pitch. Many homeowners put off calling a roofer because they’re not sure what they’re agreeing to, how long it will take, or whether they’ll be pressured into signing something on the spot. Meanwhile, a small leak or a few hail-damaged shingles quietly turn into a bigger, more expensive problem.
So here’s exactly what happens when The Exteriors Company inspects your roof, step by step, from the questions we ask before we arrive to the written estimate you’ll receive. No surprises, no pressure, and no obligation, just a clear picture of your roof’s condition and how much life it has left.
Before We Arrive
When you call or request a roofing free estimate online, we’ll ask a few quick questions so we come prepared:
- What prompted the call? A leak, missing shingles, a recent hail or windstorm, ice dams last winter, or just an aging roof?
- How old is your roof? Even a rough guess helps us know what to look for.
- When did the storm happen? If you’re concerned about hail or wind damage, the date matters for an insurance claim.
- Have you had previous repairs? Patches and past leak repairs tell us where the roof has struggled before.
- Is your attic accessible? The attic often tells us more than the roof surface itself.
- Have you filed, or are you thinking about filing, an insurance claim?
Our schedule is flexible, so we work around yours: mornings, afternoons, evenings, and even weekends. We ask that a homeowner be present during the inspection. It’s important for safety and liability reasons, and it means you can ask questions and see what we find firsthand.
Step 1: A Quick Conversation
Every inspection starts with a few minutes of conversation. If you have a leak, we’ll ask exactly where it shows up and when. Those details are clues. A leak that appears only during heavy, wind-driven rain often points to flashing or a damaged shingle on one side of the roof. A leak that shows up during a winter thaw usually points to ice dams. A stain that grows slowly over months can be a cracked pipe boot or a nail that has backed out.
We’ll also ask about your goals. Some homeowners need an urgent repair. Others are planning a replacement a year or two out and want to know what to budget. Both are perfectly good reasons to schedule an inspection.
Step 2: The Ground-Level Roof Assessment
Before we climb up, we walk around your home and look at the roof from every side. From the ground, we can spot problems that are easy to miss up close:
- The roofline: a sagging ridge or dips across the roof can signal soft or damaged decking underneath
- Missing or out-of-place shingles: especially on the windward side after a storm
- Granules in the gutters and at the base of downspouts: heavy granule loss is a sign of aging or hail-damaged shingles
- Damage along the eaves: bent gutters, stained fascia, or damaged shingles at the roof edge often mean ice dams have formed in past winters
- Collateral hail damage: dents and spatter marks on gutters, downspouts, metal vents, window wraps, and air conditioning units help confirm when and how hard hail hit. Insurance adjusters look for these too.
- Chimneys and skylights: cracked mortar, leaning chimneys, and fogged or cracked skylights
- Overhanging trees: branches that scrape the roof or drop debris into valleys
Step 3: Walking the Roof
Not all roofers Madison homeowners call will get on the roof. Ours walk it whenever it’s safe to do so, because the only way to truly assess shingles, flashing, and vents is up close, and some problems, like soft decking, can only be felt underfoot. We work slope by slope and check each of the following.
Shingles
- Hail damage: bruises or soft spots that feel like a bruised apple, circular areas of missing granules, and cracked or fractured shingles
- Wind damage: creased, lifted, or missing shingles, and shingles whose seal strips have broken loose so they flap in the wind
- Granule loss: bald spots that expose the asphalt or fiberglass mat underneath, leaving the shingle vulnerable to UV damage
- Age-related wear: cracking, curling at the edges or corners, cupping, and blistering
- Nail pops: nails that have backed out and pushed up through the shingle above, creating a path for water
- Algae and moss: algae on roof shingles shows up as dark streaks, while moss holds moisture against the roof and lifts shingles over time
Flashing
Flashing is the metal that seals the joints of your roof, and it’s where most leaks start. We check:
- Chimney flashing: step flashing and counter-flashing where the chimney meets the roof
- Sidewall and step flashing: where roof slopes meet walls, dormers, or second stories
- Kickout flashing: the small piece at the bottom of a roof-to-wall joint that directs water into the gutter instead of behind the siding
- Valleys: where two slopes meet and water concentrates
- Skylight flashing: the seal around skylight frames
- Drip edge: the metal edge along the eaves and rakes that guides water into the gutters and protects the roof deck edge
Roof Penetrations and Vents
- Pipe boots: cracked roof pipe boot seals around plumbing vents are one of the most common sources of roof leaks. The rubber breaks down in the sun and can split after 10 years or so.
- Exhaust and box vents: cracked housings, missing fasteners, and storm damage
- Ridge vents: whether they’re intact, secured, and actually venting
- Bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents: whether they’re properly sealed and terminated through the roof
Roof Decking
As we walk, we’re feeling for soft, spongy, or sagging areas underfoot. Soft decking usually means long- term moisture has weakened the plywood or OSB beneath the shingles. It’s a key factor in whether a repair will hold or whether replacement is needed.
Ice Dam Zones
Along the eaves, we look for damaged or lifted shingles, staining, and signs of past ice dams. Where we can, we check the roof edge for ice and water shield, the waterproof membrane that protects the lower edge of the roof when water backs up behind ice. Roofs installed without it are far more likely to leak in a Wisconsin winter. Learn more about ice dams and how to prevent them.
Ventilation
A healthy roof needs balanced ventilation: intake vents at the soffits to bring cool air in, and exhaust vents at or near the ridge to let warm, moist air out. Poor ventilation can bake shingles from underneath in summer and create ice dams in winter, shortening your roof’s life either way.
Previous Repairs and Layers
We look for patches, mismatched shingles, and tar or caulk repairs, which tell us where the roof has had trouble before. We also check how many layers of shingles are on the roof. A second layer installed over an old one adds weight and hides problems, and it affects the cost of a future tear-off.
Overall Age and Remaining Life
By the end of the walk, we can give you a realistic estimate of how much life your roof has left, whether that’s many years, a few seasons, or not much at all.
Step 4: The Attic Check
If your attic is accessible, we’ll take a look inside. The attic tells us things the roof surface can’t:
- Water stains on rafters, trusses, and the underside of the decking. If we find them, we trace them to the source so any water damage roof repair fixes the cause, not just the symptom.
- Daylight showing through the roof deck
- Mold, mildew, or frost on the underside of the decking or on nail tips, signs of trapped moisture
- Insulation depth and condition: too little insulation lets heat escape and melt snow on the roof, which leads to ice dams
- Ventilation: whether soffit vents are blocked by insulation and whether air is moving freely
- Bathroom fans venting into the attic: a surprisingly common problem that pumps warm, wet air under the roof deck
- Sagging or damaged decking and rafters
Step 5: Photos and Documentation
We take photos throughout the inspection, from the ground, on the roof, and in the attic, so you can see exactly what we see, even if you never set foot on a ladder. If we find storm damage, we document it slope by slope. Insurance adjusters often evaluate sample areas on each slope, sometimes called test squares, and clear photos of damage and collateral damage make that conversation much easier.
Step 6: Reviewing What We Found
Before we talk about price, we sit down with you and walk through the photos. We’ll explain what’s urgent, what can wait, and what’s in good shape.
We’ll also tell you honestly whether your roof needs repair or replacement. If your roof has years of life left and only needs minor roof damage repair, like a new pipe boot, resealed flashing, or a few replacement shingles, we’ll say so, because an honest roof replacement company should be happy to tell you that. A free inspection that ends with “your roof is fine” is still a good outcome.
Replacement usually makes more sense when:
- The roof is near or past the end of its expected life
- Damage is widespread across several slopes, not isolated to one area
- The decking is soft or rotted in multiple areas
- There are already two layers of shingles
- Leaks keep coming back despite repairs
- Storm damage is extensive enough that insurance may cover a full replacement
Step 7: Your Written Estimate
After the inspection, you’ll get a clear, written estimate. We try to provide it on the spot. For larger or more complex projects, you’ll have it within a couple of days. Whether it’s a roof repair estimate or a roof replacement estimate, it spells out exactly what’s included.
Roofs are measured and priced in “squares.” If you’re wondering how many square feet in a roofing square, the answer is 100. Your estimate will show your roof’s size in squares, along with every component of the job:
- Tear-off: removal of all existing layers down to the decking, plus disposal
- Decking: how replacement decking is handled and priced if soft or rotted sheets are found once the old shingles come off
- Underlayment: the synthetic underlayment that goes over the entire deck
- Ice and water shield: coverage at the eaves, in valleys, and around penetrations
- Drip edge and starter shingles along the roof edges
- Shingles: brand, product line, and color, such as Malarkey Vista or Legacy, or GAF Timberline
- Hip and ridge shingles
- Flashing: new step flashing, chimney flashing, and kickout flashing rather than reusing old metal
- Pipe boots and vents: new boots and vents, plus any ventilation upgrades
- Permits, cleanup, and nail sweep: including a magnetic sweep of your yard and driveway for stray nails
- Warranty: which manufacturer warranty applies, such as Malarkey Emerald Premium or GAF Silver Pledge, and our workmanship coverage
- Price and timeline: a clear total with no hidden fees, and how long the job will take
If you’re comparing a new roof estimate or new roof quote from more than one contractor, this level of detail matters. Two roof replacement estimates can look very different simply because one leaves out ice and water shield, new flashing, or warranty registration.
If You Have Storm Damage: Insurance Help
Hail and wind damage aren’t always visible from the ground, and some homeowners don’t realize their roof was damaged until it starts leaking months later. If we find storm damage, we’ll document it with photos and notes you can use for an insurance claim. This is where our roof insurance claim help makes a real difference: we walk you through the process step by step, explain what your adjuster will look for, and can meet the adjuster at your home so nothing gets missed.
Having a contractor inspect your roof is not the same as filing a claim. You decide whether and when to contact your insurance company.
Financing Options
If the estimate is more than you were planning to spend, we’ll go over financing options through Upgrade, with approved credit, that can turn a new roof into manageable monthly payments. Many homeowners are surprised by how affordable a roof becomes once insurance coverage and financing are part of the picture.
What a Free Roof Inspection Is Not
A free roof inspection with The Exteriors Company is not a high-pressure sales visit. You won’t be asked to sign anything on the spot, and you’ll never get a “today only” price that disappears tomorrow. We don’t do same-day pressure pricing. Your estimate is yours to review, compare, and think over for as long as you need.
How to Compare Roofing Cost Estimates
Getting estimates from more than one of the roof replacement companies in your area is smart. Whether you get one estimate or three, use this checklist to compare roofing cost estimates side by side:
- Are the same shingle brand and product line quoted?
- Does each estimate for roof replacement include full tear-off, or is it a layover on top of the old roof?
- How is replacement decking handled and priced if it’s needed?
- Is synthetic underlayment included across the whole deck?
- Is ice and water shield included at the eaves, valleys, and penetrations?
- Are new flashing, drip edge, vents, and pipe boots included, or reused?
- Which manufacturer warranty is included, and will the contractor register it?
- Are permits, disposal, and cleanup included?
A new roof cost estimate that looks cheaper often leaves out one or more of these items, and a reputable roof replacement contractor will gladly walk you through every line. The same goes for a reshingle roof estimate: make sure you know whether the old shingles are being removed or covered over. For full pricing context, see our guide on what a new roof really costs in Madison, WI.
Free Roof Inspection FAQs
Yes. There’s no cost and no obligation. You’ll get a clear picture of your roof’s condition and a written roof estimate whether or not you move forward.
A typical roof inspection takes about 45 minutes. Larger or more complex roofs may take a little longer.
Yes, we ask that a homeowner be present for safety and liability reasons. Because our schedule is flexible, including evenings and weekends, it’s easy to find a time that works. Being there also lets us walk you through what we find in person.
Safety comes first, so we only walk a roof when it’s safe to do so. The steeper the roof, the more the weather matters. Here’s how weather affects your inspection:
Rain: Most of the time, if it’s raining, we’ll call to reschedule. For a roof replacement inspection, we may still come out in light rain, depending on how steep your roof is.
Hail damage inspections: The roof needs to be dry. Hail damage is hard to spot on wet shingles, so we’ll reschedule for a dry day.
Snow and ice: We can’t inspect a roof covered in snow or ice. If you have an active leak, we may still come out to inspect your attic and track down where water is getting in. Otherwise, we’ll reschedule for when the snow and ice have melted.
Yes. Hail damage is often invisible from the ground. Walking the roof lets us find bruised shingles and granule loss, and checking gutters, vents, and other metal surfaces for dents helps confirm the storm’s impact.
No. An inspection by a contractor is not an insurance claim. If we find storm damage, you decide whether to file.
Never. We don’t do same-day pressure pricing. Your estimate stays the same whether you decide today or take time to compare it with others.
Once a year is a good rule, plus after any major hail or windstorm. Fall is an especially good time, before Wisconsin’s winter puts your roof to the test. See our fall exterior inspection checklist for what to watch for between inspections.
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Whether you’re dealing with a leak, wondering about storm damage, or just want to know how much life your roof has left, a free roof inspection gives you clear answers and a real number with no pressure attached.
