Q & A - Roof Certifications, Why Do I Need One?

Roof certifications confirm the condition of a roof.

Roof certifications are typically called for by a lender or bank when a home is being sold or transferred. It is requested to confirm the condition of a roof and a guarantee from a professional that the roof is in good condition and will continue to be for a certain period of time.

Recently this question has been asked a lot on AskARoofer. The request many times comes from the homeowners' insurance company. They are also very interested in the roof condition. I am sure you can see their concerns because the roof, being the whole top side of the home, protects the house and everybody's property below it.

So what do you do if a roof certification is requested? Most roofers can provide a roof inspection and give you a written document of the condition and the repair that may be needed. You may find not all roofing contractors will do roof certification. This is because of the high risk of hidden conditions. Many things can go unseen. The person offering the certification is responsible for the roof for the length of the roof certificate, maybe two to three years.

Don’t be surprised when the roofer providing a roof certification asks to get in the attic. He or she is looking for obvious signs of problems from the underside of the roof. He or she may also request to walk into all the rooms and closets of the house looking for water stains or loose sheetrock tape caused by a leaky roof.

How much does a roof certification cost?

There is an inspection and then a report to be drawn up and if the roof is in good condition, a certification could be issued within a few days, maybe even right on the spot. When the home is being transferred from a seller to a buyer the cost of the certificate may be negotiated between both parties, especially if some repairs are needed. I have found most of the time it is the seller who pays for it before escrow closes. A roof certificate can be many pages or as simple as one page with the companies name, license and contact information. It should include the site address and maybe a photo or drawing of the roof, type of roof, general condition and the number of years the roof is expected to be in good condition.

Have a question? AskARoofer.

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory.