Most people realize the importance of a thorough home inspection before the close of a property. However, they tend to overlook the importance of having a professional inspect the roof of that home. Here are several reasons why you shouldn’t overlook the importance of a roof inspection when buying or selling a house in Memphis.
The Expert Roofing Advice You Receive
Roofs, like anything else, have a shelf life. But a poorly maintained roof will have less life than a well-maintained roof from the same time period. This is why you cannot use the age of the roof as the entire basis of determining when it needs to be replaced. Only an expert roof inspector can tell you if those damaged shingles or minor gaps in the flashing have caused severe water damage to the underlying structure. Why? Because a regular home inspection tends to only take a cursory look at the attic and roof, while an experienced roof inspector will go through the attic and roof in detail, noting every impact it has on the property.
You want to know if there is water in the insulation undermining its effectiveness or fueling mold growth. Don’t let them tell you that the odd smell is due to a wet carpet they’ll replace, when it may indicate something structurally wrong with the home you would either want to fix or avoid.
We recommend having a licensed and insured roofing company provide a roofing inspection as part of your overall home inspection experience so that you don’t end up with complications after closing.
Buying? There is Leverage that A Roof Inspection Gives You in Negotiations
When you know the true scope of roofing repairs or related structural damage, you have better leverage when you negotiate the price of the home and the conditions of the deal. When you only have a general home inspector’s report saying the roof has several years of life left, they may estimate the value of the roof, leading to the seller providing you a slight decrease in the home’s sale price to offset this.
When you have a detailed report on the state of the roof, you could say that you should be compensated for the expense of a roof replacement or repair, or that the seller should take care of the roof replacement before closing. Perhaps the seller files an insurance claim with their insurance and has the roof repaired before you move in, saving you time and expenses. Or they recognize the severity of the problem and reduce the price of the property to offset what you’ll have to pay for the repairs.
In either case, you aren’t buying a home based on a basic assessment only to be hit with an expensive bill later. Don’t assume the warranty they offer with the property covers this sort of thing – it won’t pay for prior roof damage.
A side benefit of calling on a Memphis roofing company to inspect the home’s roof is that it allows you to give the home seller a second assessment aside from the home inspector regarding the damage. If they arrange a third inspection on their own, they then have all the quotes they need to file an insurance claim or select someone to repair the roof. This means that the repair process will move along more quickly.
Selling? There Is Peace of Mind A Professional Roof Inspection Provides
If you are selling a home, you may want to arrange a roof inspection by a certified and insured roofing company before they purchase a home. That inspection in addition to a standard home inspection allows you to tell potential home buyers the roof is in great condition with confidence or give them a reputable report as to what needs to be repaired. They’ll trust it, and they’ll trust you because you’ve already answered one of their big questions. Then they can go forward with their own home inspection. If the roof inspection by the general home inspector agrees with your own roof inspection, they’ll be more likely to close at your requested price because they know you aren’t hiding defects from them.
Roof Inspection Before A Home Sale Is A No-Brainer
Storm damage and other exposure to the elements causes costly damage you don’t want to deal with when buying or selling a home. General home inspections aren’t thorough enough to give you an accurate roofing assessment, and this is why you want to bring in a credentialed roof inspector to review your home before you sell it or any property you’re thinking of buying.
If you are looking for a highly rated, certified, fully bonded and insured roofing inspector in the greater Memphis area. Call Excellent Roofing or schedule an appointment online today. We have experience working with insurance companies and real estate transactions. Our goal is always to provide a thorough and accurate assessment, regardless of who you choose to complete any roof repairs that may be necessary.
