Should you get a roof inspection after installation?
Short answer. Yes. After a new roof goes on, do a walkthrough with the contractor, ask for photos of the hidden layers, and confirm that any required city or county final inspection has passed. Then look at the roof and attic again after the first heavy rain, and make sure the warranty paperwork is in your hands.
The walkthrough on completion day
- Every slope from the ground: straight courses, no lifted or crooked shingles, matching color.
- Ridge and hips: caps aligned and fully covering the peak.
- Flashing and boots: new pipe boots, clean flashing at walls and chimneys, and no smeared sealant used in place of proper flashing.
- Edges: drip edge on eaves and rakes, shingles overhanging evenly.
- Gutters: clear of shingle debris and granules from the work.
- Yard and driveway: swept with a magnet for nails. Walk the beds and lawn yourself too.
Photos and paperwork to collect
- Photos of the bare deck, replaced sheets, leak barrier and underlayment before they were covered.
- The final invoice listing product names, colors and quantities.
- Proof that the manufacturer warranty is registered, plus the contractor's written workmanship warranty.
- Permit sign-off if your jurisdiction required a permit. See roofing permits in Georgia.
After the first heavy rain
Check the attic with a flashlight around chimneys, vents, skylights and valleys, and look at ceilings below them. New roofs rarely leak, but if one does, it is usually at a flashing detail, and the sooner it is reported, the simpler the fix.
Should you hire a separate inspector?
It is optional. A home inspector or independent roofer can review the work, which some homeowners like before final payment. Know what a thorough inspection covers in what to expect from a roof inspection, and how coverage works in roofing warranties explained.