What to Expect During a Free Roof Inspection After a Hailstorm

If you have never had a roof inspection, the process can feel uncertain. What do they actually do up there? How long does it take? How do you know if the contractor is legitimate?

Here is a complete walkthrough of what a professional post-storm roof inspection looks like, from start to finish.

Before the Inspector Arrives

A legitimate roofing contractor will schedule an appointment, arrive in a marked vehicle, carry proper identification, and provide proof of insurance and licensing before stepping foot on your property.

Red flags before the inspection:

They showed up unannounced after a storm (storm chaser behavior)

They pressure you to sign anything before inspecting

They cannot provide a license number or insurance certificate

They ask for money upfront before any work is assessed

A reputable contractor offers free inspections with no obligation. If they find damage, they explain it. If they do not find damage, they tell you that too.

The Inspection Process

A thorough post-hail inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes and covers these areas:

Ground Level Assessment (10 to 15 minutes)

The inspector starts on the ground, checking:

Gutters and downspouts for dents and granule accumulation

Siding for cracks and impact marks

Window screens for tears and stretching

AC unit for dents on exposed surfaces

Fence and deck for impact marks on horizontal surfaces

This establishes whether hail actually struck the property and gives an initial read on hail size based on impact patterns.

Roof Surface Inspection (15 to 30 minutes)

The inspector gets on the roof and systematically checks:

Shingles — Looking for granule loss, bruising (pressing to feel for broken mat underneath), cracking, and exposed fiberglass.

Ridge caps — The shingles along the peak take the most direct impact and often show the worst damage.

Flashing — Metal around chimneys, vents, and valleys dents from hail and can indicate strike patterns.

Roof vents and exhaust caps — Soft metal targets that clearly show hail impact.

Pipe boots and penetrations — Rubber and plastic components crack from hail.

Valleys and low slope areas — Where water pools and damage is amplified.

A thorough inspector will take 50 to 100 photos documenting their findings, including close-ups of individual damage points and wide shots showing the overall pattern.

Documentation (5 to 10 minutes)

After the inspection, the contractor should provide:

A written summary of findings

Photos of any damage discovered

An assessment of whether the damage warrants an insurance claim

A rough estimate of repair or replacement cost

Information about next steps if a claim makes sense

What They Are NOT Doing

A legitimate inspector is not:

Climbing up to create damage and photograph it

Pressuring you to file a claim immediately

Asking you to sign a contract before you have talked to your insurance company

Telling you they will handle everything and you do not need to be involved

How to Tell Good Contractors from Storm Chasers

| Legitimate Contractor | Storm Chaser |

|---|---|

| Local office and permanent presence | Follows storms from state to state |

| Manufacturer certifications (GAF, Owens Corning, etc.) | No certifications or vague claims |

| Provides detailed written reports | Verbal promises only |

| Encourages you to get multiple opinions | Pressures you to sign immediately |

| Works with your insurance company transparently | Promises to cover your deductible (this is insurance fraud) |

| Has established Google reviews | No local review history |

After the Inspection

If damage is found, you have three options:

File an insurance claim — Your contractor can help document the damage and meet with the adjuster.

Get a second opinion — There is nothing wrong with having another contractor inspect before deciding.

Monitor and wait — If damage is minimal, you can document it and revisit later (but be mindful of your statute of limitations).

If no damage is found, a good contractor tells you so and moves on. No pressure, no guilt trip.

Start With Your Data

Before scheduling an inspection, check your HailScore report. If your property shows a Moderate or higher risk score with recent storm activity, an inspection is worth your time. If your score is Low with no recent events, you can likely wait until the next significant storm passes through.