What is a Roof Inspection Checklist?
A Roof Inspection Checklist is a template or form that roofing contractors use to document storm damage on a residential or commercial roof. Roofing contractors or insurance adjusters may use a Roof Inspection Checklist to keep track of all the accessories and components that are currently installed on the roof in order to accurately calculate the cost of a repair or replacement.
Benefits of a Roof Inspection Checklist
Roof Inspection Checklists are extremely helpful to contractors because they keep contractors organized and save them time on the project. While each roof is slightly different, they are generally made up of standard materials and accessories. Especially in insurance restoration jobs, Inspection Checklists help contractors get all the information in one shot rather than having to keep going back to the jobsite to measure and take additional photos. Roof Inspection Checklists also help ensure accurate orders. Nothing is more frustrating than having a crew stop work on an install because they do not have enough material or the correct accessories. Avoiding that kind of fire drill is reason enough to use Roof Inspection Checklists.    Â
Difference between a Roof Inspection Checklist and Roof Inspection Report
A Roof Inspection Checklist is primarily used by the contractor or adjuster to calculate the costs by taking inventory of all materials, accessories, quantities, colors, etc. A roof inspection report is not necessarily the same thing. A Roof Inspection Report is a template or form that helps identify where damage exists on a home in order to communicate those findings to the homeowner or insurance company. To put it simply, a Roof Inspection Report tells you what’s broken or damaged, while a Roof Inspection Checklist tells you what’s needed to fix it. Both types of reports require photos to be taken in order to document the findings.Â
Importance of Roof Inspections
Besides the install, the roof inspection is the most important part of the process. The inspection determines whether the roof is damaged and warrants a claim in the first place. The inspection also plays a major role in whether the job is profitable. A thorough inspection with good documentation is critical in situations where the adjuster omits or overlooks materials or accessories that are needed to bring the roof back to pre-storm condition.Â
Roof Inspection Training
Most roofing companies have new sales reps shadow them for a period of time in order to train them on how to inspect a roof for damage. This gives your new hire hands-on experience and helps train the salesperson on policies and procedures that are unique to your company. Sophisticated contractors create their own classroom-style training to complement the live training in the field. Inspection checklists are especially helpful to new hires because it provides a clear framework to follow as they are learning the nuances of roofing.
Roof Inspection Course
Elite Storm School is proud to offer a comprehensive online training course for roofers that specifically teaches the ins-and-outs of roof inspections for insurance jobs. These courses are a great way to give new sales reps a baseline understanding of storm restoration so they can begin producing revenue immediately. The self-paced, roof inspection class covers:
- Identifying Storm Damage
- How to Perform a Site Inspection
- How to Use an Inspection Checklist
- How to Document the Job Site and Damage
- Measurements