Illinois Roofing License IDFPR #19HC00108700 · GAF Certified Contractor
“Free roof inspection” means different things from different contractors. For some it’s a 10-minute walk-around looking for problems to sell you on. For others it’s a 90-minute technical assessment that produces a written report you could use to file an insurance claim or get a second opinion. This guide explains what a real roof inspection covers, what a sales-call “inspection” looks like, and how to tell the difference before you let someone on your roof.
What a real inspection includes
A proper residential roof inspection from a qualified contractor includes:
- Exterior walk-around – perimeter of the home, evaluating soft metals (gutters, AC fins, deck furniture) for impact marks, checking soffit and fascia condition, looking for water staining patterns on siding
- Roof access – actually walking the roof (or carefully inspecting from a ladder/drone for steep pitches or compromised structures)
- Slope-by-slope shingle assessment – examining each roof slope for hail bruising, granule loss, lifted or missing shingles, curling, blistering
- Test squares – marking a 10 ft x 10 ft test area on representative slopes and counting impact damage if hail is suspected
- Flashing inspection – step flashing at sidewalls, valley flashing, chimney counter-flashing, pipe boots, drip edge, ridge cap. Each gets evaluated separately because each fails differently.
- Penetration check – every plumbing vent, vent fan, chimney, skylight, satellite mount inspected for sealant condition and water staining
- Attic inspection – entering the attic to look at the underside of the roof deck for water staining, mold, frost damage, evidence of inadequate ventilation
- Ventilation evaluation – counting intake (soffit) and exhaust (ridge, gable, box) vents, calculating NFA, identifying mixed-exhaust issues
- Photo documentation – 30-60 photos covering every slope, valley, penetration, and identified issue
- Written report – delivered as PDF, with photos, observations, recommendations, and an estimate if work is needed
Time on site: 45-90 minutes for an average residential home. Less than that and not everything is being checked.
What a sales-call “inspection” looks like
Common patterns from sales-focused contractors and storm-chasing crews:
- 15-30 minutes total time on site
- Walk-around only, no roof access (or quick ladder-edge look without walking the roof)
- No photos taken – or photos kept for sales pitch only, not delivered to you
- No test squares if hail is the suspected issue
- No attic inspection – they don’t look at the underside of the deck
- No ventilation calculation
- Verbal report only, often immediately followed by pressure to sign a contract that day
- “Discoveries” that align suspiciously with what the contractor sells – “definitely need a full replacement, here’s our quote” without much technical detail
The tell: ask for the inspection report before signing anything. A real contractor produces one. A sales-focused contractor either doesn’t have one or refuses to leave you with documentation you could take to another contractor.
What to expect on the day of inspection
For a scheduled Trill Roofing inspection, here’s the typical flow:
- Arrival – we’ll knock or call when we arrive. You don’t need to be home if the roof is accessible from outside; we can leave the written report by email afterward.
- Exterior walk-around – 5-10 minutes around the perimeter, taking photos of siding, gutters, downspouts, AC unit, and any noticeable issues from the ground
- Roof access – extension ladder set up against an accessible eave. Roof inspection takes 20-40 minutes depending on complexity.
- Penetration and flashing inspection – each chimney, vent, pipe boot, skylight examined and photographed
- Attic access – if you have an attic hatch we can use, 10-15 minutes in the attic with a flashlight checking the deck underside, insulation depth, and ventilation hardware
- Wrap-up – quick verbal summary of what we found, but no pressure for decisions on the spot. Written report delivered by email within 24-48 hours.
Total time on site: typically 60-75 minutes for an average 2,000 sq ft home.
What the written report includes
The Trill Roofing inspection report (PDF, typically 4-8 pages):
- Property address and inspection date
- Roof system summary (current shingle type, estimated age, ventilation type)
- Photo grid for each slope
- Itemized findings – each issue with photo and severity rating (informational / repair recommended / urgent)
- Attic findings – insulation, ventilation, deck condition
- Recommended scope of work, if any
- Itemized estimate, if work is recommended
The report is yours regardless of whether you hire us for the work. Many homeowners use it for a second opinion or to file an insurance claim. We’re fine with that.
Inspections we recommend skipping
If a contractor:
- Won’t leave a written report
- Asks you to sign a contract on the day of inspection
- Says the inspection “results expire” if you don’t act fast
- Refuses to itemize their findings
- Won’t tell you what shingle product or warranty applies
- Has out-of-state plates and no permanent local address
…walk away. There are dozens of local IL roofing contractors who do real inspections without high-pressure sales. Take time to get a second opinion before any roofing work.
Schedule a Trill Roofing free inspection at /free-inspection/ or call (618) 304-7094. No pressure, no obligation, written report regardless.
Related Trill Roofing Services
Get a free roof inspection from Trill Roofing
No-pressure, written estimate. Family-owned. IL-licensed. Serving Godfrey and the Riverbend.