So, you’ve spent years saving up and you’re finally ready to buy your first home. You’re looking forward to checking out the living room, all the bathrooms, the kitchen and of course, how big the back garden is.
Like many prospective buyers, you probably won’t pay much care to what is perhaps the most vital component of any house, the roof.
Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for a home - making sure the roof is in good condition and fit for purpose are important factors to consider before you sign anything. Most likely, this will be one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, and you want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
When buying a home, brand new or pre-owned, expect to deal with real estate agents, contracts, movers, and a whole lot more. The last thing you need on top of everything is an expensive and potentially hazardous problem.
Consider the following:
The average cost of a roof repair is $350- $1,300 or more, depending on damage type and severity.
The average cost of a roof replacement is $5,300 to $10,600 or more, depending on roofing type.
With these expenditures in mind, paying attention to the condition of the roof can help save you a significant amount of money in the long-term and may even give you a bargaining chip to lower the listed selling price.
To help you out, we’ve compiled some tips on what to look out for, and why you should consider a professional roof inspection before placing any offers.
Potential ‘Roof Problems’ to look for:
A quality roof should last at least a few decades. However, factors such as improper installation, bad roofing materials and natural disasters such as storm damage can lead it to deteriorate rapidly.
First, you’ll want to ask important questions like how old the roof is, and when it was last replaced. If it’s old, then that may be an immediate sign you’re going to want to get professional roofers in as there may already be unseen water damage or worse.
Here are some immediate things you can look for to check if the roof is in a decent condition.
Check for missing shingles or tiles
If you can somehow get a decent view, the first thing to do is to look at the roof and get an idea of its general condition. Any obvious disrepair should be obvious, while missing shingles or tiles are a sign that you may want to get a professional in to investigate further as water and humidity may have accumulated beneath your roof. In the long-term this will cause structural damage to the property.
Check the gutters
Take a close look at the gutters, are they well maintained? Inspect them to see if they drain properly and that there are no clogs or worse, dry rot. In some cases, the gutters may even be missing completely. This simply won’t do as gutters are important as they help prevent damage caused by water seeping into the roof or siding. For homeowners, gutter installations are simply a must, especially in rainy or stormy areas.
Watch out for mold and moss
Any noticeable accumulation of moss and mold are likely indicators of a deteriorating roof. The big thing is, you won’t know how bad it is unless you get up there to physically check underneath the roofing. This can be a highly dangerous that’s task best left to professionals.
Look for Leaks and Holes
This is something that every home buyer should be doing. Roof leaks are a major cause of structural damage that not only risks you and your family’s safety but can also lead to huge financial costs if left unrepaired. Leakages are often located in vents or chimneys and cannot be seen by eye. As such, it is recommended you hire professionals who have the expertise and equipment to identify and fix leaks before you buy a house.
As you can probably tell, most of these inspections can only be done if you’re able to see the roof clearly or somehow get on it physically. So, for your safety and to eliminate any doubt regarding the roof’s condition, it pays to get a professional roofer to do a thorough inspection before buying.
Extra Tip: Apart from ensuring the roof is in good condition, here are a number of other inspections you can do as a potential home buyer.
Doesn’t the Home Inspector check the Roof?
If they like what they see and are thinking of an offer, most home buyers will have a home inspector come check out the property. So many of you may wonder, isn’t a home inspector’s approval enough when it comes to roofing?
The truth is that home inspectors simply aren’t roofing experts. Most of the time, they do not physically get on a roof or get up-close to inspect the shingles or tiles. Rather, they may use binoculars for a brief overview or take the seller’s word that the roof is in a good condition. Neither are truly reliable ways of analyzing what’s really going on up there.
However, if they do notice any issue, most home inspectors will recommend you to a reputable roofing contractor for a second opinion.
If you live in Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Durham, or anywhere in the state of North Carolina and require a roof inspection, do give us a call.
Why Integrity for Professional Roof Inspections?
At Integrity Roofing & Restoration, we’ll make sure that you won’t end up buying a deteriorated home or end up paying a premium for a leaky roof.
A professional roof inspection can a. give you the peace of mind that you’ll be living in a stable, durable structure and b. provide you immediate solutions by trusted experts if any major or minor damage is found.
After our roof inspection, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision and can:
Confirm your offer knowing that your roof is in good condition
Withdraw your offer pending repairs or a discounted price
If it’s your dream home you can immediately hire professional roofers to fix any damage, potentially replacing the entire roof if needed
A bad roof inspection doesn’t always have to be a dealbreaker, as long as you have access to the right professionals who can offer quality services and expert advice at affordable rates.
Advice for Sellers
If you are a homeowner or agent looking to sell a house, roof certifications can go a long way to adding value to your posting. Having documents such as a roof certification can put buyer’s mind at ease and help raise the perceived quality of the property.
They are useful because they:
Provide the buyer with an idea of what the roof’s condition is like
Indicate how many years the roof may have left before it needs replacing
Detail if any repairs or scheduled or required
For prospective buyers, a seller not having or refusing to provide a roof certification is not necessarily cause for alarm. But it certainly indicates that you might be better off getting professionals in to inspect the roof thoroughly.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection Now!
Integrity Roofing provides comprehensive roof replacement and repair services throughout North Carolina. For over a decade we have approached all our customers with honesty and integrity, and that has made us a trusted go-to for many homes and businesses.
Please feel free to contact us if you live in one of our Service Areas for a free inspection, estimated quotation, roof replacement, roof repair, slide repair, storm damage restoration, and much more.