A roof inspection report template is a structured form an inspector fills out to document a roof’s condition, record findings by area, and hand the client a clear written record. A complete template covers property and inspector details, roof system data, exterior and interior inspection areas rated Good, Fair, or Poor, a photo log, deficiencies, and repair recommendations. The copy-and-paste version below includes every field a professional report needs, plus a rating scale most free templates leave undefined.
This page pairs with the site’s roofing fundamentals in the Learn About Roofing hub. If you are trying to read a report you already received rather than write one, see what a roof inspection report includes and how to read it.
What a roof inspection report template must include
A usable roof inspection report template has seven core blocks: header and property information, roof system data, exterior inspection areas, interior and attic checks, a damage assessment, recommendations, and sign-off. Each inspected area carries a condition rating and a comment field, so nothing gets recorded as a bare checkmark. The table below maps every block to the fields it should contain.
| Report block | Fields it should contain |
|---|---|
| Header and property info | Property address, client name, phone, email, inspection date, inspector name, company, license number, weather and temperature at inspection |
| Roof system data | Roof type and material, approximate age, number of layers, pitch or slope, square footage, last known repair or maintenance |
| Exterior inspection areas | Roof covering, flashing, valleys, penetrations, gutters and downspouts, eaves, soffits, fascia, skylights, chimney (each rated) |
| Interior and attic | Decking condition, insulation, ventilation, moisture or leak signs, daylight visible through decking |
| Damage assessment | Covering damage, structural or decking damage, water damage, storm or hail evidence, with type and location |
| Recommendations | Immediate repairs, preventive maintenance, items needing further evaluation, estimated remaining service life |
| Sign-off | Overall condition summary, inspector signature and date, client acknowledgment, photo log reference |
Roof inspection report template (copy and paste it)
This roof inspection report template is written as plain text you can drop into a document, a fillable PDF, or field software. Replace the brackets as you inspect. Rate each exterior and interior area Good, Fair, Poor, or Failed using the scale in the next section, and attach at least one photo for every Poor or Failed item.
Property and inspection details
- Property address: [ ]
- Client name: [ ]
- Phone and email: [ ]
- Inspection date: [ ]
- Inspector name and company: [ ]
- License or certification number: [ ]
- Weather and temperature at inspection: [ ]
Roof system
- Roof type and material: [ ]
- Approximate age (years): [ ]
- Number of layers: [ ]
- Pitch or slope: [ ]
- Approximate square footage: [ ]
- Last known repair or maintenance: [ ]
Exterior inspection (rate each Good / Fair / Poor / Failed, add a comment)
- Roof covering (shingles, tile, metal, membrane): [rating] [comment]
- Flashing (step, counter, apron, valley): [rating] [comment]
- Penetrations (vents, boots, pipes): [rating] [comment]
- Chimney and crickets: [rating] [comment]
- Skylights: [rating] [comment]
- Gutters and downspouts: [rating] [comment]
- Eaves, soffits, and fascia: [rating] [comment]
- Ridge, hips, and ventilation components: [rating] [comment]
Interior and attic
- Decking condition: [rating] [comment]
- Insulation: [rating] [comment]
- Ventilation (intake and exhaust): [rating] [comment]
- Moisture, staining, or active leak signs: [rating] [comment]
- Daylight visible through decking: [yes/no] [location]
Damage assessment
- Covering damage (type and location): [ ]
- Structural or decking damage: [ ]
- Water damage (interior and exterior): [ ]
- Storm or hail evidence and estimated date: [ ]
Recommendations and overall condition
- Immediate repairs: [ ]
- Preventive maintenance: [ ]
- Further evaluation needed: [ ]
- Estimated remaining service life: [ ]
- Overall roof condition: [Good / Fair / Poor / Failed]
Sign-off
- Inspector signature and date: [ ]
- Client acknowledgment: [ ]
- Photo log reference (numbered to match findings): [ ]
How to rate roof condition: Good, Fair, Poor, and Failed
Condition ratings only help if they mean the same thing every time. Most free templates print Good, Fair, and Poor without defining them, which makes reports drift between inspectors and dates. The scale below ties each rating to observable thresholds, so two inspectors grade the same roof the same way and a client can act on the result.
| Rating | What it means on the roof | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| Good | No visible defects, material well within expected service life, all components functioning | Routine monitoring, no repair |
| Fair | Minor wear or isolated defects, aging but still functional, no active leak | Preventive maintenance, recheck next cycle |
| Poor | Widespread wear, several failed components, likely or intermittent leaks | Repair soon, begin budgeting for replacement |
| Failed | Active leak, structural compromise, or material past its service life | Immediate repair or replacement |
Report template vs inspection checklist: what is the difference
A checklist and a report template are not the same document. A checklist is the inspector’s field tool, a list of items to look at so nothing gets skipped on the roof. A report template is the deliverable, a structured record of what was found, rated, photographed, and recommended for the client’s file. Many inspections use both at once: the checklist drives the walk, the template captures the result.
If you want the field tool that feeds this template, use the 30-point roof inspection checklist. Work the checklist on the roof, then transfer ratings and photos into the report template for the written record.
Residential vs commercial roof inspection report fields
Residential and commercial reports share a core but diverge on system-specific fields. A residential template centers on shingles, flashing, and attic ventilation. A commercial low-slope template adds membrane seams, drainage and ponding, parapet and coping details, and rooftop equipment penetrations. The table shows where the fields change.
| Field area | Residential (steep-slope) | Commercial (low-slope) |
|---|---|---|
| Roof covering | Shingle, tile, or metal panel condition | Membrane type (TPO, EPDM, PVC, mod-bit) and seam integrity |
| Drainage | Gutters, downspouts, valleys | Internal drains, scuppers, ponding water depth and duration |
| Edges and walls | Eaves, fascia, drip edge | Parapet walls, coping, counter flashing, termination bars |
| Penetrations | Vent boots, pipe flashing, skylights | HVAC curbs, pitch pans, conduit, walkway pads |
| Ventilation | Attic intake and exhaust balance | Insulation R-value and cover board condition |
Writing a report that holds up for an insurance claim
When a report may support an insurance claim, the documentation standard rises. Adjusters and carriers often weigh dated photos, clear damage-cause language, and measured findings over general statements. Note the storm date where relevant, tie each deficiency to a numbered photo, and describe the cause in neutral terms. Coverage still depends on the policy, the jurisdiction, and whether the loss is judged normal wear or a covered peril.
Storm reports carry the most weight when the damage pattern is documented the way carriers expect. For that specific case, see what inspectors look for in a hail damage roof inspection. Fees for a formal documented report vary, and the roof inspection cost guide breaks down free versus paid inspections.
How to fill out the template step by step
Filling the template in a fixed order keeps reports consistent and cuts the risk of a blank field. Follow these seven steps from the ground through sign-off. Each step maps to a block in the copy-and-paste template above.
- Enter property, client, and inspector details, plus the weather and temperature at the time of inspection.
- Record roof system data: material, approximate age, layers, pitch, and square footage.
- Walk the exterior and rate each area, adding a comment for anything below Good.
- Check the attic or interior for decking, ventilation, and moisture signs.
- Photograph every Poor or Failed item, numbering photos to match the findings.
- Write recommendations grouped as immediate, preventive, and further evaluation.
- Summarize overall condition, sign and date, and obtain client acknowledgment.
Frequently asked questions
What should a roof inspection report include?
A roof inspection report should include property and inspector details, roof system data (material, age, layers, pitch, size), rated exterior and interior areas, a damage assessment, a numbered photo log, and recommendations grouped as immediate, preventive, or further evaluation. It closes with an overall condition summary, inspector signature, and client acknowledgment so the file is complete and dated.
Is there a free roof inspection report template?
Yes. The copy-and-paste template on this page is free and covers every standard field: property and inspector details, roof system data, rated exterior and interior areas, a damage assessment, recommendations, and sign-off. You can paste it into a document, a fillable PDF, or roofing field software, then adjust the fields for residential steep-slope or commercial low-slope roofs.
What is the difference between a roof inspection checklist and a report?
A checklist is the field tool that lists items to inspect so nothing is skipped on the roof. A report template is the deliverable, a structured record of what was found, rated, photographed, and recommended for the client. Inspectors often use both: the checklist guides the walk, and the report template captures and communicates the result.
How do you write a roof inspection report?
Work top to bottom: enter property and inspector details, record roof system data, then rate each exterior and interior area and add a comment for anything below Good. Photograph every Poor or Failed item and number the photos to match findings. Close with recommendations, an overall condition rating, signature, and date.
How many photos should a roof inspection report have?
There is no fixed count, but a defensible report includes at least one photo for every Poor or Failed item, plus wide shots of each roof slope and close-ups of flashing, penetrations, and any damage. Number the photos so each one ties to a specific finding. For insurance work, more dated, labeled photos generally strengthen the claim.
How long is a typical roof inspection report?
A residential roof inspection report usually runs two to five pages once photos are attached, depending on roof size and the number of deficiencies. Commercial low-slope reports run longer because they add membrane, drainage, and rooftop equipment fields. Length matters less than whether every inspected area carries a rating, a comment, and supporting photos.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.