Roof inspection vs roof certification: what's the difference?
By Cert-A-Roof · · 5 min read
A roof inspection tells you what condition a roof is in today. A roof certification is a promise about the future: the company that issues it will repair leaks from normal wear and tear for a set period. You need the inspection to get the certification, but plenty of inspections never end in one, and that's fine.
What a roof inspection is
A roof inspection is a documented look at the roof's condition. A good one goes inside first (ceilings, attic, garage) and then onto the roof. At Cert-A-Roof that takes about four hours and ends with a VisualRoof™ photo report within 24 to 48 hours.
An inspection is a snapshot. It's honest about today and says nothing binding about next winter, the same way a weather report is honest about Tuesday.
What a roof certification is
A LeakFREE® Roof Certification is a service agreement on the entire roof. If a leak from normal wear and tear happens during the term, Cert-A-Roof repairs it at no cost to the certificate holder. The certificate transfers to a new owner at close of escrow and renews on re-inspection.
Roof inspection and roof certification side by side
| Roof inspection | Roof certification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A report on today's condition | A service agreement for a set term |
| What you get | Photo report and fixed-price proposal | Leak repairs from normal wear at no cost |
| Covers | Everything inspected | The whole roof |
| Transferable | The report can be shared | Yes, at close of escrow |
| Example price (2,500 sq ft) | $300 | $350 for two years, after any repairs |
When you need each one
- Buying a home: an inspection first. A certification if the roof qualifies, so the roof comes with someone responsible for it.
- Selling a home: a certification answers the roof question before the buyer's inspector asks it.
- Owning a home: an inspection every year or two, and after big storms, to catch problems while they're small.
- Refinancing with FHA or VA: a certification gives the lender a document instead of an opinion.
How a roof gets certified
The roof is inspected against NRCIA criteria. If it passes, it can be certified. If it needs work, the repairs in the report are completed by Cert-A-Roof, and then the roof becomes eligible. In our worked example for a 2,500 square foot house, that was a $300 inspection, $3,500 of repairs and a $350 two-year certification.
Quick answers
Is a roof inspection the same as a roof certification?
No. A roof inspection reports the roof's condition today. A roof certification is a service agreement to repair leaks from normal wear and tear during a set term, issued only after the roof passes inspection.
Can every roof be certified?
No. A roof is only certified after it passes a LeakFREE® Roof Inspection, or after the repairs listed in the report are completed by Cert-A-Roof.
