What should you look for in a finished roof replacement?
Short answer. Walk around the house after the job and look for straight, even shingle lines, drip edge on every eave and rake, new flashing and pipe boots, a clean ridge with proper vent and cap, and a yard free of nails and debris. Then make sure you receive the invoice, the permit sign-off and the warranty paperwork.
From the ground
- Lines. Courses should look straight and parallel to the eaves, with no wandering seams.
- Edges. Drip edge along every eave and rake, with the shingles overhanging it slightly and evenly.
- Ridge and hips. Caps evenly spaced and straight, and ridge vent continuous where specified, with closed ends.
- Valleys. Clean lines, with the cut edge of shingles trimmed neatly in closed-cut valleys.
- Walls and chimney. Metal flashing visible where the roof meets walls, and kickout flashing at the bottom of walls that end above a gutter.
- Pipes and vents. New boots, not old ones with fresh sealant smeared around them.
Around the house
- No nails in the driveway, beds or lawn; ask for a second magnet sweep if needed.
- Gutters cleared of shingle debris.
- No new dents or scrapes on gutters, siding or windows.
In the attic
Look for daylight where there should not be any, nails that missed the deck, and any new stains after the first heavy rain.
Paperwork
- A final invoice listing the products and any decking replaced, with photos.
- The permit final, where required.
- The workmanship warranty in writing, and confirmation of the manufacturer registration.
See what to expect on replacement day and roof flashing explained.