Do You Need a Roof Inspection? What a NJ Roofer Looks For

You should get a roof inspection if your roof is 15 or more years old, after a major storm, before you buy or sell a home, if you're seeing warning signs (attic stains, missing shingles, granules in the gutters), or if it's simply been a few years since the last one. A real inspection checks three things: the surface (shingles, flashings, seals), the decking underneath (soft or rotted spots), and the attic inside (leaks, moisture, and ventilation). Here's what to expect.

Green Apple Roofing is a GAF Master Elite® roofer that has inspected and installed roofs across New Jersey since 2008. We give you an honest read — repair, replace, or "you've got years left" — with no pressure. Autumn inspections include the attic, because that is where next winter's ice dams are already being set up.

When you actually need a roof inspection

• Your roof is 15+ years old. Asphalt roofs enter the back half of their life around 15 years — see how long each roof material lasts — a good time to know where you stand.
• After a major storm. High wind or hail can lift or crack shingles and loosen flashings even when the roof looks fine from the ground — and that sudden damage is exactly what homeowners insurance may cover.
• Before buying or selling a home. A roof is one of the most expensive parts of a house — buyers and sellers both benefit from knowing its real condition.
• You're seeing warning signs. Stains on the ceiling or attic, missing or curling shingles, or granules building up in the gutters all warrant a look. (Here are the 7 signs your roof may be done.)
• It's just been a while. Even a healthy roof benefits from a check every few years to catch small issues early.

What a NJ roofer looks for

A real inspection is more than a glance from the driveway. Here's what we actually check:

1. 1The surface. Shingle condition (curling, cracking, bald spots and granule loss), and whether the seal strips are still holding.
2. 2Flashings and penetrations. The metal and seals around chimneys, vents, skylights, and valleys — where the majority of roof leaks actually start.
3. 3The decking. Soft, spongy, or rotted spots in the wood underneath (like the decking exposed in the photo above) that mean water has already been getting in — see what's under the shingles.
4. 4The attic. From inside — daylight through the boards, dark water stains on rafters and insulation, and whether the attic is properly ventilated (poor ventilation quietly shortens a roof's life).
5. 5Gutters and drainage. Whether water is actually getting off the roof, and how many granules are washing into the gutters.

What should a roof inspection cost?

A detailed written report matters most for a real-estate transaction or an insurance claim where you need documentation. Be cautious of anyone who inspects and then insists you need a full replacement on the spot: a real inspector shows you photos of what they found and lets the evidence speak. If your roof only needs a repair, an honest roofer will tell you that — and if the leak is intermittent, the pattern of when it leaks is worth bringing to the inspection.

What you get from us

After the inspection you get a straight answer — repair, replace, or you've got years left — backed by photos of what we found. (Own or manage a commercial building instead? That walk is a different one — see commercial roof inspection.) If it does turn out you need work, our roof repair guide (for smaller fixes) and roof replacement cost guide cover the numbers, and we'll beat or match any reliable, legitimate roofing, siding or gutter quote with a veteran + first-responder discount. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too. You can see our recent work in the project gallery, and we serve homeowners from Howell and Middletown to the shore.

Not sure where your roof stands? Request an estimate — same-day phone response, no pressure.