Who inspects roofs in Omaha, and what does each one look for?
Three kinds of people look at roofs, for three different reasons. Only one of them is there to find what is wrong with your roof and fix it.
A roofing contractor
A roofer inspects the roof to find storm damage, leaks and wear, and says what fixing it takes: a repair, a replacement, or nothing at all. This is the inspection to book when you want to know the condition of your roof, after a storm, when a ceiling stains, or before winter.
A home inspector
A home inspection looks at the whole property, the roof among many other things. Under the InterNACHI standards of practice, the inspector looks at the roof covering, gutters, downspouts, flashing and roof penetrations from ground level or the eaves, and is not required to walk on the roof, predict how long it will last, or warrant or certify it. A defect it flags is a reason to call a roofer.
An insurance adjuster
After you file a claim, your insurance company sends an adjuster to consider the extent of the damage and prepare an estimate of the cost to repair, which may recommend repair or replacement. Having your own roofer present during the adjuster's visit helps make sure damage is not overlooked. The Nebraska roof insurance claims guide explains how a claim works.
When should you get a roof inspection?
Book one with a roofer when any of these is true:
- After hail or high wind. Damage is often not visible from the ground. The Nebraska Department of Insurance notes that hail strong enough to damage a roof also damages nearby cars, wood fences, shutters and siding, so dents there are a reason to have the roof checked; the hail damage guide shows what to look for.
- When water shows up inside. A stain on a ceiling, peeling paint near the eaves or damp attic insulation; the leaking roof guide covers what to do first.
- Before winter. Gutters, flashing and the roof edge are easier to fix before snow and ice; the ice dam post explains why.
- Once a year for an older roof, so small problems are found while they are still small.
After a heavy winter, too. Snow and ice can strain a roof and leave leaks behind them; the warning signs guide says what to look for while the snow is still on, and roof snow removal is how we take it off.
What does Rocket Roofing General Contractor check on a roof inspection?
The whole outside of the building, in one visit, and you see everything it finds:
- The roof, siding and gutters together, by one contractor that installs all three, so a leak that starts at a gutter or a wall is not missed.
- Photos of everything flagged, by drone or by phone, and yours to keep. You never have to send pictures first.
- A price in writing: what was found, what fixing it takes and what it costs, with each option where there is a real choice.
- A straight answer. If nothing needs doing, you are told so, and that is the end of it.
Rocket Roofing General Contractor's founders were among the first in Nebraska to inspect roofs by drone, which keeps people off a damaged roof, though roof access is still sometimes necessary. It inspects houses, multifamily and commercial buildings, including flat and low-slope roofs; see roof repair and replacement and storm damage repair.
Is a roof inspection free in Omaha?
From Rocket Roofing General Contractor, yes: every roof inspection and estimate is free, with no obligation. Book a free assessment or call (402) 291-8888.
The other two are paid for differently: the InterNACHI standards define a home inspection as one performed for a fee, and an adjuster's inspection is part of your insurance claim.
How do you check a roofer before the inspection?
Confirm the company is registered with the Nebraska Department of Labor: the Contractor Registration Act requires contractors and subcontractors doing business in Nebraska to register, though the Department says registration does not ensure quality of work. Rocket Roofing General Contractor is registered as NE DOL #98741-26.
The National Roofing Contractors Association also suggests checking for a permanent place of business, asking for the contractor's liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates, and insisting on a written proposal. The guide to checking a roofer in Nebraska walks through each check.
What happens after a roof inspection?
You get the photos and, where something needs doing, a written price. From there:
- A repair, when the damage is in one spot, such as flashing, a pipe boot or a few shingles.
- A replacement, when the wear or damage covers the roof; the repair or replace guide covers that decision.
- An insurance claim, when storm damage is the cause. The Nebraska Department of Insurance says that if the adjuster's estimate is lower than the roofers' estimates, let your adjuster know: there may be differences in materials or damage the adjuster can explain or resolve.