The short answer
Around Royal Oak, many roofers inspect for free when they're pricing work, and one Oakland County repair company publishes a $75 inspection fee that it takes off the repair bill. HomeAdvisor's national average is $257, with most homeowners paying $125 to $392, and more for drone or infrared inspections. A roofer checks the shingles, flashing, vents, gutters, decking and attic; a home inspector's roof check is narrower and doesn't require walking on the roof.
What a roof inspection costs
Published roof inspection prices
| Inspection | Published price | Who publishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Roof inspection, credited if you go ahead with the repairs | $75 | Guns and Hoses Roofing, Oakland County |
| On-site inspection and written estimate | Free | Goral Roofing, Waterford Township |
| Average roof inspection | $125 – $392, average $257 | HomeAdvisor, national |
| Physical (walk-on) inspection | $75 – $200 | HomeAdvisor, national |
| Drone inspection | $150 – $400 | HomeAdvisor, national |
| Infrared inspection | $400 – $600 | HomeAdvisor, national |
| Roof certification | $75 – $200 | HomeAdvisor, national |
Prices as published, checked October 12, 2026. HomeAdvisor's figures are national, updated June 19, 2026. A free inspection is usually part of a roofer pricing work; ask before the visit whether there's a fee and whether it comes off the bill.
Why the spread? A roofer pricing a repair or replacement usually rolls the inspection into the estimate. A standalone report for a home sale, an insurance claim or a dispute takes more time to write up, and specialist methods such as infrared moisture scans need equipment.
Need this done?
Already seeing a problem? Describe it and ask for a repair estimate. The roofer inspects the roof as part of pricing the work.
Roof repair in Royal OakWhat a roofer checks
A thorough roofing inspection on a Royal Oak house usually covers:
- Shingles: curling, cracking, missing or lifted tabs, granule loss and any hail bruising
- Flashing: at the chimney, walls, skylights and valleys, where most leaks start
- Pipe boots and vents: cracked rubber collars, and whether intake and exhaust ventilation are balanced
- Gutters and drip edge: blockages, sagging, and whether water runs back under the roof edge
- The attic: water stains, damp insulation, daylight through the boards and condensation on nails
- The decking: soft or sagging spots that point to rot underneath
- Layers: how many roofs are already on the house, which decides whether a tear-off is needed
Ask for photos and a written summary. If there's damage, ask whether it's a repair or a replacement, and for a price on each if both are realistic.
Roofer inspection vs. home inspector
Buying in Royal Oak usually means a general home inspection. Its roof section is useful but limited. Under InterNACHI's standards of practice, the inspector checks the roof covering, gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing, skylights, chimney and other penetrations "from ground level or the eaves," and reports signs of active leaks.
The same standards say the home inspector is not required to walk on the roof, predict its remaining life, perform a water test, or warrant or certify the roof. If the report says the roof is "near the end of its service life" or flags flashing, a roofer's inspection tells you what it would cost to fix.
Drone and infrared inspections
Drones photograph steep or fragile roofs without anyone walking on them, which suits tall Tudors and colonials. Infrared cameras can show where moisture is trapped under a low-slope roof. Neither replaces looking at the flashing up close or checking the attic, so ask what the inspection includes before paying for a method.
When to get your roof inspected
- After a hailstorm or high winds, before calling your insurer back (see hail damage and insurance claims)
- When buying or selling a house with an older roof
- When you see a ceiling stain, granules in the gutters or shingles on the lawn
- In spring after an ice-dam winter, or in fall before the snow
- When the roof passes about 20 years old and you want to plan the replacement
Inspect from the ground
The National Roofing Contractors Association advises assessing damage from ground level and leaving closer inspection to a professional roofing contractor. Binoculars and an upstairs window are safer than a ladder.
Questions about roof inspection cost
How much does a roof inspection cost in Royal Oak?
Many local roofers inspect for free when they're pricing work. Guns and Hoses Roofing, an Oakland County repair company, publishes a $75 fee that it takes off the bill if you have it do the repairs. HomeAdvisor's national average is $257.
Is a free roof inspection worth it?
It can be, as long as you know it's part of a sales visit. Ask for photos and a written summary, and get a second opinion before agreeing to a replacement.
Does a home inspector check the roof?
Yes, but only from the ground or the eaves under InterNACHI's standards. A home inspector isn't required to walk the roof, predict how long it will last, or certify it.
How long does a roof inspection take?
It depends on the roof and whether the attic is accessible. Ask the roofer when you book; a standalone written report takes longer than an inspection done while pricing a repair.
What's a roof certification?
A written statement, usually for a home sale or insurer, that the roof is in a stated condition and expected to last a stated time. HomeAdvisor puts its national cost at $75 to $200.
Where this information comes from
The facts and figures on this page come from these published pages, checked on October 12, 2026.
- Guns and Hoses Roofing · Oakland County roof repair company, published inspection charge
- Goral Roofing: roof inspection in Oakland County · Waterford Township roofer's inspection page
- HomeAdvisor: roof inspection cost · National cost guide, updated June 19, 2026
- InterNACHI: home inspection standards of practice · Home inspectors' association standards, section 3.1 Roof
- NRCA: roof repairs after a storm · National Roofing Contractors Association guidance
