Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. The cost of those annual inspections adds up, especially if you live somewhere with high service rates. I used to think photos and receipts would be enough too—until my neighbor got denied on a claim because the insurance said “no proof of regular maintenance.” Kinda feels like a catch-22 sometimes.
Honestly, I’m not convinced you need a pro every single year unless your roof’s older or you’ve had issues before. But skipping checkups completely can bite you later, especially with insurance companies looking for any excuse to deny claims. Maybe every couple years is a good middle ground? Or just after big storms?
It’s frustrating how much they want in documentation. Peace of mind is nice, but it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. I’d say weigh the risk—if your roof’s newer and you keep an eye out for obvious problems, maybe don’t stress too much. If it’s older or you’ve had leaks, might be worth the extra expense.
I hear you on the insurance thing—it’s wild how picky they get about “proof.” I’ve seen folks get burned even when they had a folder full of photos, just because there wasn’t a receipt from a licensed roofer. It’s like, what more do they want? I get that they don’t want to pay for stuff that’s just old and worn out, but sometimes it feels like they’re looking for any excuse.
Where I’m at (Midwest), we get hail every couple years, so after a big storm, everyone and their dog is up on the roof or calling someone to check things out. That’s usually when I’d say it’s worth getting a pro in—especially if you’re thinking about filing a claim. Otherwise, I’m with you: if your roof is newer and you keep an eye out for missing shingles or anything weird after storms, you can probably stretch it to every couple years.
One thing I’ve noticed—some insurance companies are starting to ask for “maintenance logs” or inspection reports before they’ll even look at your claim. Not all of them, but enough that it makes me nervous. My uncle got denied last year because he didn’t have anything showing he’d had his 18-year-old roof checked since it was installed. He thought he was covered because he’d patched a few spots himself and kept receipts for materials...nope.
If you’re handy and comfortable climbing up there safely, doing your own checks is better than nothing. Just make sure you document what you see—dates, photos, maybe even jot down what you looked at. But yeah, if your roof is pushing 15-20 years or has had leaks before, paying for an inspection every year or two might save you headaches later.
It’s annoying how much this stuff costs though. Around here, inspections run $150-250 unless you catch someone during their slow season. Sometimes local hardware stores have free “roof check” events after storms—worth keeping an eye out for those deals.
Anyway, I wouldn’t stress too much if your roof is in good shape and you’re keeping tabs on it yourself. Just don’t let it go too long without some kind of record in case the insurance folks come sniffing around.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’m not convinced hiring a pro every couple years is always worth it—especially if you’re comfortable doing your own checks. I’ve got a 17-year-old asphalt roof, and I’ve just kept a running log in a notebook with dates, what I looked at, and photos on my phone. Never had an issue with insurance (knock on wood). Maybe it’s different if you’ve got a steep roof or tile, but for basic shingles, DIY seems fine as long as you’re thorough. The inspection fees add up fast, and half the time the “pros” just eyeball it anyway.
I’m with you on the DIY approach, at least for basic shingle roofs. I do a quick check every spring—look for missing shingles, soft spots, moss, clogged gutters. I keep a folder of photos and receipts for any repairs. Never had insurance push back either, though I did have to show my log once after a hailstorm. If you’re methodical and not afraid of heights, it’s not rocket science… but I’d probably call someone in if I had a tile roof or anything steep.
Never had insurance push back either, though I did have to show my log once after a hailstorm.
That’s a solid routine. Keeping a folder of photos and receipts is honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself if you ever need to file a claim. I’ve seen a few folks get tripped up because they couldn’t show any proof of maintenance, especially after wind or hail events.
One thing I’d add—when you’re doing your spring check, it helps to gently press around vent boots and flashing too. Those spots love to leak first, but most people just scan the shingles and call it good. Doesn’t take much extra time, but it can save you from nasty surprises down the road.
I noticed you mentioned calling someone in for tile or steep roofs. That’s smart—walking on tile can crack them if you’re not careful, and steep slopes are no joke safety-wise. Out of curiosity, have you ever had to deal with an insurance adjuster who wanted more than just your log? Sometimes they’ll ask for before/after pics or even drone shots these days... Wondering if that’s just in my area or more common now.
