A real roof inspection gives you two things: photographic proof of what’s on your roof today, and a prioritized list of what (if anything) to do about it. Ours is drone-assisted, covers every detail from shingles to attic ventilation, and comes with a promise the industry could use more of: the inspection is not a sales funnel.
Why “free inspection” usually isn’t
The free roof inspection is the oldest lead-generation tool in roofing. A company sends a commissioned inspector; the inspection finds whatever feeds this month’s quota; the homeowner gets a scary photo of ordinary wear and a same-day discount that expires at sundown.
We charge a modest fee, and here’s what it buys: an inspection whose only job is being accurate. Most of our inspections conclude with “your roof is fine, here are two small things to watch.” That answer generates zero revenue and is the whole reason people trust us with the repairs that do.
What we look at
The full system, not just shingles. Shingle condition across every slope: granule wear, cracking, curling, sealed-tab failures. Every flashing detail, which is where most leaks are born: chimneys and walls, valleys, pipe boots, vent housings. Ridge caps and ventilation, because a cooked attic ages shingles from below. Gutters and drainage, including the fascia behind them. And when access allows, the attic side: moisture staining, daylight at penetrations, insulation condition, and the ventilation math that decides whether your roof grows ice dams every February.
The drone earns its keep on steep pitches, wet mornings, and fragile surfaces: full overhead coverage without a boot on a brittle shingle. Every finding becomes a photo in your report. Our inspection checklist guide publishes the entire list we work from, so you can hold us to it or hand it to any inspector you hire instead.
When an inspection is the right move
Buying or selling in Sun Prairie or Madison’s fast-moving market, where roof condition is negotiating leverage in both directions. After a storm, to sort real hail or wind damage from door-knocker theater. Before winter, because a minor finding in October is a major repair by March after freeze-thaw has worked on it. On a milestone birthday: when a roof turns 15, an inspection every year or two is how you catch the retirement date early and plan the replacement on your schedule instead of a leak’s schedule.
We inspect roofs everywhere we work: Sun Prairie, Madison, Waunakee, DeForest, and across Dane County. Book an inspection, and if we find nothing wrong, expect us to say exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roof inspection cost in the Madison area?
Less than the first hour of fixing a problem you did not catch. Our standard inspection is modestly priced, and if the inspection leads directly to repair work with us, we credit it toward the job. Call for the current rate. We would rather quote it in a conversation than promise a number on a page and surprise you later.
What does a roof inspection actually cover?
Every slope and surface, all flashing details (chimney, walls, valleys, pipes), gutters and drainage, ridge and vents, plus attic-side checks for moisture, daylight, and ventilation where access allows. You get photos of every finding, good and bad, not a verbal summary designed to sell something.
Do you use drones for roof inspections?
Yes. A drone lets us document steep, high, or fragile roofs without walking every inch of them, and it produces overhead views a ladder never gives you. We still put hands and eyes on the details that matter, since a drone cannot lift a shingle tab or probe soft decking.
How often should a Wisconsin roof be inspected?
Every two to three years for a roof under 15 years old, annually past that, plus after any storm that leaves shingles in yards around the neighborhood. Wisconsin freeze-thaw cycles work on small defects all winter, so catching them in fall is worth real money.
Should I get a roof inspection before buying a house?
Absolutely. A general home inspector looks at a roof from the ground or the eaves for a few minutes. A roof-specific inspection prices what the general inspector can only flag, which changes what you can negotiate. It is the cheapest leverage in the whole transaction.