A roof inspection is thirty to sixty minutes on the roof and in the attic with a camera, a chalk stick and a moisture meter. On the roof: shingle condition slope by slope (granule loss, brittleness, cracks, lifted tabs), every pipe boot and vent, the step and counter flashing at walls and chimney chases, valleys, drip edge, ridge caps, and a chalk test square on any slope with hail hits. In the attic: the underside of the deck for stains and daylight, the rafter and truss condition, whether the soffit vents are blocked by insulation, and how the bathroom fans terminate — half of Meridian's "roof leaks" in January are condensation from fans venting into the attic.
Storm inspections are free, because after hail or a windstorm someone should look who isn't trying to sell you a roof on the porch. Pre-listing and pre-purchase inspections are a flat fee and come with a written report with photos that a buyer, a seller, an agent or an underwriter can act on. Insurance companies in Idaho are increasingly asking for a roof inspection before they'll write or renew a policy on a home with a roof over 15 years old; we provide the report in the format they ask for.
What's included
Roof surface, every slope
Shingle condition, brittleness, granule loss, wind creasing, hail test squares.
Flashing, boots & penetrations
Every pipe boot, vent, skylight, wall and chimney flashing checked and photographed.
Attic
Deck underside, daylight, stains, insulation depth, soffit intake, fan terminations, ventilation balance.
Gutters & drainage
Granule accumulation, pitch, downspout discharge, ice-dam evidence at the eaves.
Written report
Photos, findings, an honest remaining-life estimate and repair-or-replace advice with prices.
Insurance format
Reports in the form Idaho carriers ask for on roofs over 15 years old.
Roof inspections cost in Meridian, ID
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Storm inspection with photos | $0 | Any Treasure Valley address |
| Pre-listing or pre-purchase roof report | $175 – $275 | Written report with photos, 24-hour turnaround |
| Insurance-required roof inspection | $150 – $250 | Carrier's form completed |
| Annual maintenance inspection and minor sealing | $225 – $350 | Boots, flashing, ridge, gutters |
| Drone survey for steep or unsafe roofs | + $75 | When walking it isn't safe |
These are 2026 Treasure Valley ranges so you can budget. Your written price is itemized — tear-off, decking, underlayment, ice barrier, flashing, vents, disposal, permit — and good for 30 days.
Recent work
Questions we get about roof inspections
Is the inspection really free?
Storm inspections are. We do them because most hail and wind damage in the Treasure Valley goes unnoticed until it leaks, and because it's the honest way to earn the work. If your roof is fine, we'll say so and leave.
How old is too old for an insurance company?
It varies by carrier, but 15 years is where many Idaho insurers start asking questions and 20 is where some decline or move you to actual-cash-value coverage. A written inspection showing a sound roof with life left often keeps you on replacement-cost coverage.
Will you walk a steep roof?
Yes, with proper fall protection, up to the point where it isn't safe — then we fly a drone and check the attic. Frost, wet moss and a 10/12 pitch are the usual reasons.
What does 'remaining life' mean on the report?
Our best professional estimate of how many years the roof will keep water out with ordinary maintenance, based on shingle flexibility, granule loss and the condition of the flashing. It's an estimate, not a warranty, and we say so in the report.
Do you inspect after a home purchase?
Yes, and we'd rather do it before closing. A general home inspector looks at the roof from a ladder or the ground; we walk it and go in the attic. A $200 report is cheap insurance against a $15,000 surprise.