What Happens During a Free Roof Inspection? A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

If you've never had a roof inspected, it's fair to wonder what someone is actually doing up there. Here's exactly how a free Lonestar Roofing inspection works, start to finish, so you know what to expect before anyone sets up a ladder.

The short version

• It's free, and there's no obligation to hire us.
• It takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
• We check ten points all the way around the house, not just the shingles.
• You get a written, dated report with photos, and you keep it either way.

Before we climb: the 10 points

Storm damage rarely stops at the roof. Hail that bruises shingles usually leaves marks on softer surfaces too, and those marks help show what the roof went through. So every inspection covers ten points around your home:

1. Gutters and downspouts
2. Windows
3. Screens
4. Air conditioning unit
5. Roof and shingle condition
6. Ridge caps
7. Valleys
8. Pipe jacks
9. Vents
10. Flashing

Step 1: From the curb and the ground

We start with an overview photo of the house and a clear photo of the address, so the report is tied to your home. Then we walk the outside, starting at the front and going around the house: downspouts, windows, screens, the AC unit and other soft metals. Each one gets an overview photo and a close-up.

Step 2: On the roof

On the roof, we check the drip edge, lift a shingle to look at the underlayment and starter row, and note whether there's more than one layer of shingles. We gauge the roof pitch on each slope and take overview photos from the peak in every direction.

On each slope we look closely at a marked test area for hail hits and wind damage, then check the vents, pipe jacks, flashing, ridges and valleys on that side. Everything we find gets photographed: an overview so you know where it is, and a close-up so you can see it.

Step 3: What you get

When we're done, a rep sits down with you and goes through the photos. You get a written, dated report with photos of what we found, whether the roof is in great shape, needs a small repair, or shows enough storm damage to talk about a claim.

If we do find storm damage, the report gives you real documentation to work from. Whether to file a claim is your decision, and the coverage decision belongs to your insurance company. Lonestar is a licensed general contractor, not a public adjuster, so we don't interpret your policy or negotiate your claim. If you do file, we can be there when your adjuster inspects the roof.

A few practical notes

• Be home if you can. The walkthrough at the end is the most useful part, and it's best when everyone who'd make a decision about the house can be there.
• We inspect in dry weather. Wet roofs aren't safe to walk and don't photograph clearly, so a rainy forecast can move your appointment.
• After a storm, sooner is better. Many insurance policies have filing deadlines, so check yours.

Schedule your free inspection

Lonestar Roofing & Construction is family-owned and has served Dallas–Fort Worth since 2020. Our office is at 2400 Garden Park Court, Suite A, Arlington, TX 76013. Learn more about our roof inspections, see storm and hail damage, or call (888) 421-1688 to get on the schedule.