Key Takeaways
- A roof certification is a professional assessment that states a roof’s condition, life expectancy, and financial value. A licensed roofing contractor or inspector must issue a roof certificate.
- Roof certifications are often performed during real estate negotiations to give homebuyers, sellers, and lenders a reliable look into the durability and quality of the roof.
- Insurers may require a roof certification before the property owner is eligible for their homeowner’s insurance policies. Regardless, roof certificates can offer peace of mind and cost savings by promoting early detection of problems.
- Typically, the price of roof certifications can range from $300 to over $600, depending on factors like the size, complexity, and style of the roof. Repairs or replacements may be needed before a certificate is validated, increasing costs.
Understanding What a Roof Certification Is and When It Is Necessary
Many people, especially new homeowners, ask us, “What is a roof certification?” It is an official document that confirms a roof’s condition and estimates its lifespan. For a roof certification to be official, it has to be issued by a licensed roofing professional.
A roof certification is often requested during real estate transactions to offer peace of mind to each party involved, including buyers, sellers, and lenders. The roof certification process may also be necessary for insurance purposes. In fact, all homeowners should seek certification to verify the condition of their roofs—they can promote early detection and help you avoid unexpected costs.
If you do not have an up-to-date report of your roof’s condition and lifespan, consult a trusted roofing professional. A trained roofing specialist can walk you through what a roof certificate is and perform the certification process.
What Is a Roof Certification?
A roof certification is a detailed assessment carried out by a roofing professional to confirm the condition and estimate the longevity of a roof. Each licensed roofing company may carry out its certification process in a unique way to accommodate the style of the house and its client’s needs. However, the three main components involved in the certification process are:
- Inspection – A trained inspector examines the roof for damage and other issues that might affect its lifespan, such as leaks or material wear.
- Report – An official report document is created to show proof that a roof meets certain standards. It also highlights any repairs needed and states a roof’s estimated lifespan.
- Lifespan estimate – This indicates how long the roof is expected to last, giving other parties confidence in the durability of the roof.
Although there is usually an inspection involved, a roof certification is more thorough and report-focused because it is often used to declare the roof’s integrity and financial value.
When and Why Do You Need a Roof Certification?
Since roof certification is the best way to get confirmation of a roof’s worth and longevity, it is crucial for selling and purchasing homes. Sellers can build trust by offering roof certifications to buyers, whether they request it or not, to establish confidence in the property’s durability and simplify the sale process.
Additionally, roof certification may be required for insurance and financing purposes. Many insurers and lenders require an official quality report from a licensed roofing company that includes an estimate of the roof’s financial value to ensure eligibility for policies or financing, especially in areas prone to extreme weather and a high frequency of insurance claims.
Even if the abovementioned situations do not apply to you, roof certification can serve as an important part of roof maintenance. It can be a great way to ensure your roof is sound and minimize surprise expenses by catching issues that can become much worse, like leaks that can lead to wood rot or other forms of water damage.
How Does the Roof Certification Process Work?
Since each roof is different and exhibits a unique style, size, and material, certified roofing companies may have individualized certification approaches for each of their clients. Still, some examples of common steps involved in the certification process are:
- Preliminary visual assessment that records easily noticeable damage, such as water stains or drooping from lack of structural integrity.
- A more thorough hands-on search for issues like leaks. The inspector may use tools like hygrometers, which detect moisture, or they may lift shingles to assess the condition of the materials below.
- Documentation featuring findings, evaluations, or relevant photos of the roof. This step usually includes the
- Scheduling and execution of necessary repairs before the issuance of a certification.
Once completed, a standard roof certification is usually valid for one to five years, depending on the roof’s condition and the discretion of the roofing company.
Who Provides Roof Certifications?
Not everyone is qualified to perform a roof certification—it should only be carried out by licensed roofing contractors or inspectors. As you search for a reputable roof certifier, read through only reviews and leverage referrals from other homeowners you trust.
In addition to checking their licensing and certification, ensure the roofing professional you choose has sufficient roofing knowledge and positive experiences with homes that are similar to yours. Doing so can guarantee that your certification will accurately reflect your roof’s condition.
How Much Does a Roof Certification Cost?
The price of a roof certification can vary greatly. For example, a certification for low, simple roofs may only cost around $75. However, steeper and more complex structures may require upwards of $600 for a roof certification.
In addition to height off the ground, some other factors that may affect the cost of a roof certification are:
- Roof size and complexity
- Type of roof and its building materials (e.g., asphalt shingles or cedar shake)
- Roof design (e.g., flat, gable, or gambrel)
- Roof age or condition
- Local market rates
- Inspector experience level
- Tools and techniques needed
- Urgency of the certification
Keep in mind that unexpected expenses may pop up that can further impact the cost of a roof certification. Suppose your roof is hard to access or too dangerous to mount. In that case, the inspector may have to charge you more so they can make adjustments for accessibility and safety, like using different equipment.
Plus, the inspector may find issues that should be repaired before they certify your roof. Minor repairs like replacing a few damaged shingles may only have a small impact on your expenses. In contrast, major repairs, such as fixing structural issues, can significantly increase the final price.
What Are the Benefits of a Roof Certification?
Even if it is not required by an insurer or financial institution, getting roof certification can offer countless incentives. Some examples of benefits of a roof certification are:
- More negotiation power – Buyers or sellers can gain leverage by scheduling roof certifications during real estate negotiations. For example, if repairs are necessary, a purchaser may ask for a discount on the property, but if the roof is certified to last for several years, a higher asking price may be justified.
- Cost savings – If the inspector catches an issue early on, you may be able to prevent expensive repairs down the road. For example, if they notice improper roof ventilation, you can install one of the various types of roof vents to stop humidity from building up and encourage harmful mold growth.
- Peace of mind – Roofs are often considered a home’s first line of defense against natural forces like rain, snow, and falling branches. After a roof certification, homeowners and buyers can rest easy knowing that the roof is reliable and strong enough to withstand everyday stressors.
Be proactive and take advantage of these benefits by getting a roof certification before it is required by an insurer, lender, or seller.
What Happens If the Roof Fails the Certification?
Whether it’s because of damaged shingles, improper flashing, or failing underlayment, not every roof meets the certification standards, meaning the inspectors cannot officially provide estimates of the roofs’ life expectancy or financial value. In this scenario, the inspector may recommend repairs to address the concerns they found before issuing their report.
In extreme situations, an entire roof replacement may be necessary. Sometimes, getting a brand new roof will be more worthwhile than spending money on a bunch of individualized repairs. Regardless, getting several quotes for the repair work is essential to ensure you get a fair price that accurately reflects the scope of issues.
Again, you will likely have to wait until the replacement or repairs are complete before the inspector validates the roof certification. How long a roof replacement takes depends on the roof style, but experienced professionals can usually complete a roof replacement for an average-sized home in a few days. Small repairs will usually take less time, but scheduling conflicts between the repair workers and inspector may prolong the process, making it a good idea to use a one-stop shop like Roof Life of Oregon that can handle certifications and roof repair or replacement.
Certify Your Roof with Roof Life of Oregon
A roof certification is an official assessment of a roof’s condition, estimating its lifespan and value. Many people are unaware of what a roof certificate is until it is required in real estate deals or by insurers. However, it can benefit any homeowner by promoting early issue detection, offering peace of mind and potential savings.
Now that you understand what a roof certification is, find a knowledgeable and reliable roofing company to conduct your roof certification—use Roof Life of Oregon if you live in the greater Portland area. With years of experience, our certified professionals can provide thorough, reliable roof certifications within two days, giving homeowners, prospective buyers, and insurers the information they need to make timely and informed decisions.
Contact us today to schedule a roof certification that you can rely on.