A roof inspection after installation is really four separate checks: the building department’s final inspection, your own walkthrough, the manufacturer’s warranty registration (and, on some jobs, the manufacturer’s own inspection), and an optional third-party inspection. Each one catches different defects. Hold the final payment until the permit is finaled, the punch list is closed, the warranty is registered in your name and the lien paperwork is in hand.
This page covers the window between the last shingle and the last check: what inspectors actually look at on a reroof, what you can verify yourself from the ground and the attic, and the order in which money and paperwork should change hands. For a general condition inspection of an older roof, use our roofing inspection checklist instead.
By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Key numbers at a glance
These are the figures that decide whether a new roof passes inspection and whether its enhanced warranty is issued. Code figures are from the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Your city may have adopted a different edition or local amendments, and manufacturer terms can change between warranty revisions, so the documents for your job govern.
| Figure | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 12-gauge shank, 3/8-inch head, 3/4 inch into the deck | Minimum asphalt shingle roofing nail, which must penetrate the sheathing at least 3/4 inch (or fully through thinner sheathing) | 2021 IRC R905.2.5 |
| 4 nails per strip shingle | Code floor; the manufacturer’s instructions can require more | 2021 IRC R905.2.6 |
| 2-inch laps, fastened every 12 inches | Drip edge at eaves and rakes, extending at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing | 2021 IRC R905.2.8.5 |
| 24 inches inside the exterior wall | How far an ice barrier must run up from the eave where the jurisdiction designates ice-dam risk in Table R301.2 | 2021 IRC R905.1.2 |
| 45 days | Window for a GAF Master Elite contractor to register a Golden Pledge warranty after installation | GAF Golden Pledge brochure (RESWT161B) |
| 60 days | Window for an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor to register Platinum Protection after installation | Owens Corning Pub. No. 10020608-O (August 2026) |
Who inspects a new roof after installation, and what does each check?
Four parties can inspect a new roof after installation, and none of them covers everything. The building inspector checks code minimums, the manufacturer checks eligibility for its warranty, you check finish quality and cleanup, and a paid third party gives an independent opinion. The table below shows where each check starts and stops, so you know which gaps you have to cover yourself.
| Check | Who does it | What it covers | What it usually misses | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit final inspection | City or county building inspector | Code items: flashing, drip edge, fastening, roof covering completeness, paperwork | Cosmetic quality, attic condition, cleanup, warranty eligibility | Included in the permit fee |
| In-progress or mid-roof inspection | Building inspector, where required | Deck condition and renailing, underlayment, drip edge laps, products matching the approvals | Anything installed after the visit | Included in the permit fee |
| Homeowner walkthrough | You, ideally with the project manager | Appearance, flashing you can see, gutters, attic daylight and leaks, nails and debris on the property | Nail placement under the shingles, underlayment laps | Free |
| Manufacturer registration or inspection | The contractor registers; the manufacturer may inspect some jobs | Whether the job qualifies for the enhanced warranty | Defects the manufacturer does not look for on routine jobs | Built into the contract price |
| Third-party inspection | Home inspector, independent roofer or structural engineer | An independent written report with photos | Concealed layers, unless photographed during installation | See our roof inspection cost guide |
What does the building inspector check on a reroof?
On a permitted reroof, the building inspector checks that the finished roof meets the adopted code and the manufacturer’s installation instructions, which the IRC makes part of the code. In practice that means flashing at walls, chimneys and penetrations, drip edge at eaves and rakes, shingle fastening, ice barrier where required, and paperwork. Some jurisdictions add an in-progress inspection before the deck and underlayment disappear.
The IRC sections inspectors enforce on asphalt shingle reroofs
The table quotes the requirement in each 2021 IRC section most often checked on a shingle reroof and notes what a homeowner can see without climbing. Many states and cities amend these sections, so treat the table as the baseline and the local code as the rule.
| 2021 IRC section | Requirement | Can you see it after the job? |
|---|---|---|
| R905.2.5 Fasteners | Galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper roofing nails, minimum 12-gauge shank and 3/8-inch head, complying with ASTM F1667, long enough to go at least 3/4 inch into the sheathing | Partly. From the attic, nail tips should poke through the deck boards on most 7/16-inch and 1/2-inch decks |
| R905.2.6 Attachment | Not fewer than four fasteners per strip shingle or two per individual shingle, or more if the manufacturer requires | No. Ask for photos taken during installation |
| R905.1.2 Ice barriers | Where Table R301.2 shows ice-dam history, two cemented underlayment layers or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet from the eave to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line | No. Ask for photos, or check the material on the invoice |
| R905.2.8.5 Drip edge | At eaves and rakes, 2-inch laps between pieces, at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing and 2 inches onto the deck, fastened at 12 inches or less on center; underlayment over the drip edge at eaves and under it at rakes | Yes. Look along every eave and rake edge from the ground |
| R903.2.1 Flashing locations | Flashing at wall and roof intersections, slope changes and roof openings, plus a flashing that diverts water away where a roof eave meets a sidewall (the kick-out) | Yes. Kick-outs are visible where a lower roof edge runs into a wall |
| R903.2.2 Crickets and saddles | A cricket on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration more than 30 inches wide | Usually, from a second-story window or with binoculars |
| R908.5 Reinstallation of materials | Existing flashings, edgings, outlets and vents that are rusted, damaged or deteriorated must be replaced | Yes. Old, rusted vent flashing or chimney metal left in place is a red flag |
| R908.3 Roof replacement | Replacement means removing existing roof coverings down to the deck (an adhered ice barrier may stay under an added layer) | Ask whether the old layers were removed, and check the contract |
Source for all rows: 2021 IRC Chapter 9, as published by the International Code Council. Florida uses its own code, the Florida Building Code, Residential, which differs on several of these items.
Florida: the in-progress inspection you cannot make up later
Florida jurisdictions commonly require an in-progress roof inspection while the underlayment and deck are still visible, in addition to the final. Alachua County’s reroof sheet (effective October 1, 2026) is a clear example: the in-progress inspection happens after some underlayment, flashing, drip edge and starter strip are on, and missing it means at least 100 square feet of roofing must be removed for inspection.
The Alachua County sheet lists what its inspector checks at each stage:
- In progress (inspection 1000): deck renailing under Florida Building Code, Existing Building 706.7.1 (2 1/4-inch 8d ring shank nails at 6 inches on center along the framing), underlayment fastening and laps, product approvals matching products on site, drip edge laps and fastening (minimum 3-inch lap, fastened at 4 inches on center maximum), required flashing, and the scope of work.
- Final (inspection 9000): all documents and earlier inspections reviewed, the roof checked for completeness, flashing per FBC R903, and the roof inspection affidavit verified and uploaded.
- Paperwork: a recorded Notice of Commencement must be uploaded before inspections can be scheduled when the project costs $5,000 or more, citing Florida Statutes 713.135.
Note the drip edge difference: Alachua County’s Florida figure (3-inch lap, 4 inches on center) is stricter than the 2021 IRC baseline (2-inch lap, 12 inches on center). The same sheet says pictures are not an acceptable substitute for the in-progress inspection, and that the county will not issue an after-the-fact permit for a roof that is already finished.
Denver: final-only for most shingle homes
The City and County of Denver’s Roofing Guide and Checklist (updated April 11, 2024) shows how much the inspection sequence varies. For one- and two-family asphalt shingle reroofs, Denver requires a final roof inspection (code 201) but no pre-inspection, with a mid-roof inspection only if needed. Tile and metal roofs get a mid-roof inspection.
The same guide states that venting is not inspected on reroof projects and that a self-adhering ice barrier at the eaves is not required in Denver. That matters after installation: a Denver final inspection will not tell you whether the attic ventilation meets the shingle manufacturer’s warranty requirements, so that check falls to you. Denver’s checklist does list kick-out flashing at the bottom of sidewall step flashing (item 31) and crickets on projections wider than 30 inches (item 9).
What a passed final inspection does not prove
A passed final means the inspector saw no code violation during a short visit. It is not a quality audit. The Town of Truckee’s reroof requirements, for example, say its inspectors do not go up on roofs (they climb ladders to verify materials) and that a pitched-roof final may be observed from the street or elsewhere on the property. Nobody re-checks nail placement once the shingles are down.
Ask for the permit record showing the final as approved, because an open permit can hold up a sale, as Alachua County’s own FAQ notes. For permit fees and the full permit workflow, see our guide to roof permit cost and process.
Your own walkthrough checklist after a roof replacement
Do your own roof inspection after installation within a day or two of the crew leaving, before the final payment, and again after the first heavy rain. You do not need to climb: almost everything below is visible from the ground with binoculars, from upstairs windows, or from the attic with a flashlight. Photograph every item, pass or fail, with the date visible.
| Where | What to check | What a pass looks like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground, all sides | Shingle lines and color | Straight courses, even exposure, no mixed color lots in one plane | Wavy rows can signal deck or nailing problems; mismatched lots are a cosmetic punch-list item |
| Eaves and rakes | Drip edge | Continuous metal at every eave and rake, no gaps at corners | Required by IRC R905.2.8.5; one of the most common omissions |
| Walls meeting the roof | Step flashing and kick-outs | Metal visible at every wall intersection; a kick-out where each lower roof edge meets a wall | IRC R903.2.1 requires the kick-out diversion |
| Chimney, skylights, vents | Flashing condition | New or sound metal and boots, no reused rusted pieces, a cricket behind chimneys over 30 inches wide | IRC R908.5 and R903.2.2 |
| Ridge and roof vents | Vent installation | Ridge vent capped and straight; old vents removed or replaced as the contract states | Ventilation affects shingle warranty coverage |
| Gutters and downspouts | Debris and damage | No granule piles, shingle scraps or nails; gutters not bent or pulled from the fascia | Clogged downspouts back water up under the new roof edge |
| Attic, daytime | Daylight and decking | No daylight at the deck except at designed vent openings; replaced boards visible where the invoice says decking was replaced | Confirms deck work you were billed for |
| Attic, decking underside | Nail tips | Tips through the deck in tidy rows, no wide misses into open air between rafters | Shank-length and penetration check under IRC R905.2.5 |
| Ceilings and top-floor walls | Stains and cracks | No new water stains; no fresh drywall cracks or nail pops from tear-off vibration | Leaks and interior damage should go on the punch list now |
| Yard, driveway, beds | Nails and debris | A magnetic sweep done; no nails in the lawn, driveway or garage approach | Tire and foot hazards; usually covered by the cleanup clause |
If shingles look lifted, buckled or wavy rather than flat, our guide to new roof shingles not laying flat covers which causes resolve with warm weather and which need a fix.
How to document the new roof
Photos taken before the shingles go down are the only record of nail placement, underlayment laps and deck repairs, and they become your evidence in any later warranty claim. IBHS describes its FORTIFIED evaluators collecting dozens of photos throughout a reroof for that reason. Ask for the same, in writing, before work starts.
- Before tear-off: photograph every roof plane, the attic ceiling and the interior ceilings so pre-existing stains are on record.
- During the job: ask the contractor to send date-stamped photos of the bare deck, replaced decking, underlayment and ice barrier at the eaves, drip edge laps, and a sample of the nailing pattern before shingles cover it.
- At completion: take one wide photo of each side of the house and close-ups of every flashing location, then repeat the attic photos.
- After the first heavy rain: photograph the attic deck and ceilings again, looking for drips or damp spots around penetrations.
- File it: keep photos with the contract, invoice, permit record, product list and warranty certificate in one folder you can hand to an adjuster or a buyer.
Manufacturer warranty registration and inspection requirements
Enhanced shingle warranties are not automatic. The contractor must hold the right credential, install a qualifying system of the manufacturer’s components, and register the warranty within a deadline. Only GAF’s published terms, among the three below, describe a manufacturer inspection before issuance, and it applies to large or multi-family jobs, not a typical house.
| Warranty | Contractor credential | Registration | Manufacturer inspection | Workmanship coverage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAF Golden Pledge | GAF Master Elite | Contractor must register and pay within 45 days of installation, or GAF may decline to issue it | Required before issuance for commercial, HOA or condo, multi-family, or projects over 250 squares; GAF may inspect select other jobs | 25 or 30 years of application coverage, depending on the shingle | GAF Golden Pledge brochure (RESWT161B); GAF residential warranty page |
| CertainTeed SureStart PLUS 5-STAR | CertainTeed credentialed contractor (ShingleMaster PRO or PREMIER, per CertainTeed) | Registered by the contractor; no deadline stated on the CertainTeed pages reviewed | None stated on the CertainTeed pages reviewed | 30 years on CertainTeed’s credentialing page (25 years on XT 25 shingles); an older CertainTeed article says 25 years | CertainTeed “Why Credentialing Matters” and “Roofing 101: Worry-Free Warranties” |
| Owens Corning Platinum Protection | Owens Corning Platinum Preferred | Contractor must register within 60 days of installation; improperly registered warranties are not covered | No pre-issuance inspection stated; Owens Corning may inspect after a claim | 25 years non-prorated on a single-family detached home, then prorated; the installer must fix application errors found in the first 2 years | Owens Corning Pub. No. 10020608-O (August 2026) |
The Owens Corning document also requires a full tear-off to a clean deck, new metal flashing and drip edge, and a roof covering the entire structure over a ventilated deck. Those are things you can check against the contract. Ask for the registered certificate with your name, address and product list before the final payment, then confirm it with the manufacturer. For how manufacturer and workmanship coverage differ, see our explainer on roofing warranties.
Punch list, final payment and lien release: the order that protects you
The safest sequence is: walkthrough, written punch list, punch list closed, permit finaled, warranty registered, lien paperwork exchanged, then final payment. Paying first removes your bargaining power, and paying without lien paperwork can leave you exposed if the roofer does not pay a supplier or subcontractor, who may have lien rights against your home under state law.
- Walk the roof with the project manager. Use the checklist above and write down every item, however small.
- Send the punch list in writing. Email or text it with photos and a requested completion date, so there is a dated record.
- Confirm the permit final is approved. Check the building department’s online permit record rather than relying on a verbal “it passed.”
- Get the warranty paperwork. For an enhanced warranty, ask for the registration confirmation, or a written commitment to register within the manufacturer’s deadline (45 days for GAF Golden Pledge, 60 days for Owens Corning Platinum Protection).
- Exchange lien paperwork with the final payment. In Florida, when final payment becomes due, the contractor must give the owner a final payment affidavit stating that lienors who served a notice to owner have been paid, or listing who has not (Florida Statutes 713.06(3)(d)). In California, the statutory forms are the Conditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment (Civil Code 8136) and the Unconditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment (Civil Code 8138); the unconditional form is enforceable even if the signer was not actually paid, so it should be exchanged only once payment clears.
- Pay the balance by a traceable method and keep the receipt with the warranty folder.
Lien law is state-specific and these are general descriptions, not legal advice. For large jobs or a disputed balance, a construction attorney in your state can confirm which forms apply. Our step-by-step guide to getting a new roof covers payment schedules before the job starts.
Is a third-party roof inspection after installation worth paying for?
A paid third-party inspection after installation is worth it when you have reason to doubt the work, when no building inspector will look at it, or when the roof needs documentation for an insurer or a warranty dispute. It adds little when the permit passed, your walkthrough is clean, and the manufacturer warranty is registered. The decision table maps common situations to a recommendation.
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Permit finaled, clean walkthrough, enhanced warranty registered | Usually skip. Re-check the attic after the first heavy rain |
| No permit was pulled, or your area does not inspect reroofs | Worth paying for. Nobody independent has looked at the work |
| Visible defects and the contractor disputes them | Worth paying for. A written report with photos supports a warranty claim or board complaint |
| Insurance-funded replacement where the insurer may re-inspect | Consider it, especially for code items the insurer paid for, such as drip edge or ice barrier |
| You want an insurance discount for a FORTIFIED Roof | Arrange a certified FORTIFIED evaluator before work starts; documentation is collected during the reroof, not after |
| Sagging, deck deflection or structural concerns appeared after the job | Hire a structural engineer for a stamped opinion |
| A “free inspection” offer from another roofer | Treat it as a sales call, not an independent opinion |
Our roof inspection cost guide puts a certified home inspector roof inspection at $200 to $400 in most metros and a structural engineer at $500 to $1,500. Either way, ask the inspector to cover the walkthrough items above and to photograph flashing details up close. Our guide to certified roof inspectors explains which credentials to look for.
What to do if you find defects after a new roof is installed
Start with the installer’s workmanship warranty, put every request in writing with photos, and escalate in order: contractor, manufacturer, building department, then the state licensing board where one exists. Do not let a different roofer repair a defect covered by a manufacturer warranty before the manufacturer has evaluated it, because Owens Corning’s Platinum terms say a claim may be denied in that case.
- Notify the installer in writing. Cite the workmanship warranty in the contract, attach dated photos, and give a reasonable deadline. Owens Corning’s Platinum Protection terms put the first 2 years of application errors on the installing contractor.
- File with the manufacturer if the installer does not respond. Owens Corning requires a claim within 30 days of discovering the problem and may ask for photos or shingle samples. GAF and CertainTeed have their own claim processes listed in their warranty documents.
- Call the building department if the issue is a code item, such as missing drip edge or a skipped required inspection. A permit closed in error can sometimes be reopened.
- File a complaint with the state licensing agency. In California, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has jurisdiction for up to 4 years from the date of the act for patent (obvious) defects and up to 10 years for latent (structural) defects. In Florida, complaints go to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund may pay eligible homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. In Arizona, the Registrar of Contractors handles complaints, and its Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund claim instructions list a limit of $30,000 per claimant per residence.
- Use consumer channels where there is no state roofing license. Texas does not issue a state roofing contractor license, so there is no state board to discipline a roofer. Complaints go to the city that issued the permit, the Texas Attorney General’s consumer protection division, or civil court.
Deadlines, recovery limits and eligibility vary by state and can change, so confirm them on the agency’s own website before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
Do new roofs need to be inspected?
In most cities and counties, yes. A full reroof usually requires a building permit, and a permit is not closed until the roof passes a final inspection. Some jurisdictions, especially in Florida, also require an in-progress inspection while the deck and underlayment are visible. Requirements vary, so check your building department’s reroof handout. The manufacturer may also need the warranty registered within 45 to 60 days.
What will fail a roof inspection?
Common failures on a reroof include missing or poorly lapped drip edge, missing kick-out or step flashing at walls, reused rusted flashing, nails that are too short or too few, missing ice barrier where the code requires it, and installed products that do not match the approved product list. Paperwork problems also fail inspections, such as a missing roof affidavit or an unrecorded Notice of Commencement in Florida.
How long should a roof inspection take?
A building department final is usually a short visit focused on code items, and some jurisdictions, such as the Town of Truckee, allow a pitched-roof final to be observed from the ground. A paid inspection takes longer: our cost guide puts a paid roofing contractor inspection at 45 to 75 minutes and a certified home inspector at 60 to 90 minutes. Your own walkthrough of a new roof, including the attic, takes about as long as checking each item on the list.
How much does a roof inspection usually cost?
The building department’s final inspection is included in the permit fee. A paid certified home inspector roof inspection typically runs $200 to $400 in most metros and $300 to $500 in high-cost coastal markets, and a structural engineer runs $500 to $1,500, according to our roof inspection cost guide. Free inspections from other roofers are sales calls rather than independent opinions.
Why do I keep getting calls about roof inspections?
Roofing marketers often target homes after hailstorms, home sales or new permits, and permit records are searchable online in many jurisdictions. A finished roof does not stop the calls. Registering your number on the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry limits many telemarketing sales calls, and you can simply decline door-to-door storm inspection offers on a roof that was just replaced.
When should I inspect a new roof after installation?
Do a walkthrough within a day or two of the crew finishing and before the final payment, so punch-list items are fixed while the crew is still mobilized. Check the attic again after the first heavy rain for drips around penetrations. Shingles installed in cool weather may take time to seal, so check again after a few warm weeks if any tabs look lifted.
Should I pay the roofer before the final inspection?
It is safer not to. Many contracts schedule the last payment after the permit final passes, which gives the contractor a reason to correct failed items quickly. Pay the balance once the permit is finaled, the punch list is closed, the enhanced warranty is registered or committed in writing, and you receive the lien paperwork your state uses, such as a final payment affidavit or a conditional waiver.
Sources
- International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9 (R903.2.1, R903.2.2, R905.1.2, R905.2.5, R905.2.6, R905.2.8.5, R908.3, R908.5).
- Alachua County Growth Management, Building Division, “Roofing Replacement: Residential” permit and inspection requirements, effective October 1, 2026.
- City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development, “Roofing Guide and Checklist,” updated April 11, 2024.
- Town of Truckee, “Re-roofing Permit and Inspection Requirements.”
- GAF, Golden Pledge Limited Warranty brochure (RESWT161B) and GAF residential warranty comparison page.
- CertainTeed, “Why Credentialing Matters” (SureStart PLUS table) and “Roofing 101: Worry-Free Warranties.”
- Owens Corning, Platinum Protection Limited Lifetime Warranty, Pub. No. 10020608-O, August 2026.
- Florida Statutes 713.06(3)(d) and 713.135; California Civil Code 8136 and 8138.
- Contractors State License Board, Building Official Information Guide; Arizona Registrar of Contractors, Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund claim instructions.
- IBHS FORTIFIED, post-designation flyer for FORTIFIED Roof.