Most people realize the importance of a thorough home inspection before they close on the purchase of a property. Without a proper home inspection, you don’t really know what you’re buying. (And in most cases, if you have a mortgage, your bank will require a thorough home inspection so they can properly value your home for the loan.) However, it’s common to overlook the importance of having a professional inspect the roof of the home you’re thinking of buying. Here are several reasons why you don’t skimp on the roof inspection when buying a house here in Cincinnati (or anywhere).
The Expert Roofing Advice You Receive
Roofs, like anything else, have a lifespan. But a poorly installed or maintained roof may need to be replaced even though it is only five years old. A well maintained ten-year-old roof may have five, ten or more years of life ahead of it. This is why you cannot use the age of the roof as the entire basis for determining when it will need to be replaced. Only an expert roof inspector can tell you if those curled up shingles or minor gaps in the flashing have caused severe water damage to the underlying structure, or if a quick repair will suffice. Why? Because a general 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 across the roof in detail, noting every problem and the potential impact it has on the property.
And it isn’t just about the roof — you will want to know if there is water in the insulation undermining its effectiveness or fueling mold growth. Don’t let the seller tell you that the odd smell in the home is due to a wet carpet they’ll replace, when it may indicate something structurally wrong with the home you would either want to have fixed before the purchase or avoid by buying a different property.
We recommend having a reputable roofing company provide a roof inspection as part of your overall home inspection, so that you know you can trust the information you receive.
A Roof Inspection Gives You Leverage in Negotiations
When you know the true scope of required roofing repairs or related structural damage, you have better knowledge and leverage when you negotiate the price of the home and the conditions of the deal. When you have a general home inspector’s report saying the roof has several years of life left, they may prorate the value of the roof, leading to the seller providing you a modest decrease in the home’s sale price to offset this.
When you have a detailed report on the state of the roof, you can argue that the entire roof needs to be replaced soon and that you should be compensated for that expense, or that the seller should take care of the roof replacement before closing. Perhaps the home seller files a claim with their insurance and has the roof repaired before you move in, saving you the time, hassle and expense. 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 property based on a basic assessment only to be hit with a major repair bill later. Don’t assume the home warranty they offer with the property covers this sort of thing – it will pay for an AC compressor that goes out but usually not prior roof damage (make sure you understand the details of your home warranty before the sale is final).
A side benefit of calling out a Cincinnati 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 any existing wear or 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 you’ve jump-started the repair process, which may benefit you both.
The Peace of Mind a Professional Roof Inspection Provides
If you’re planning to sell your home, you may want to arrange a roof inspection by a qualified independent roofing company before your house hits the market. That inspection, in addition to a standard home inspection, allows you to tell potential home buyers the roof is in great shape or give them a reputable report as to what will need to be repaired. They’ll trust it, and they’ll trust you, because you’ve already alleviated one of their major concerns. 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 report, they’ll be more likely to close at your requested price because they know you aren’t hiding major defects in the property from them.
What if you’re a home buyer? Paying for a roof inspection that confirms what your home inspector reported gives you peace of mind. You will then know for certain that the roof of your home will last another five to ten years or that the discoloration you noticed really isn’t a problem. Better yet, find a reputable roofer who provides a free roof inspection.
Roof Inspection Before a Home Sale Is a No-Brainer
Roof wear causes costly structural damage you don’t want to deal with when buying or selling a home. Standard home inspections aren’t thorough enough to give you an accurate assessment, and this is why you want to bring in a roof inspector to review your home before you sell it and any property you’re thinking of buying. Call your trusted local roofing company for a detailed pre-sale home inspection. Here in Cincinnati, give us a call here at Harper Siding and Roofing.