What to Expect During a Free Roof Inspection

"Free roof inspection" can sound like the start of a sales pitch. Somebody shows up, spends five minutes on a ladder, and suddenly you need a whole new roof. It's no wonder people put off booking one.

A real inspection should feel different. You should come away knowing exactly what's on your roof, with photos to prove it, whether the answer is "it's fine," "it needs a small repair," or "it's time." This guide walks through what happens at a RainTech inspection, step by step, so you know what to expect before anyone shows up.

Before the Inspection

Booking

You can pick a time online or call us at (918) 449-1474. Tell us a little about why you're calling: a leak, a recent storm, an older roof, or a home you're buying or selling. It helps us know what to look for.

Who should be home

All decision makers should be home for the inspection. If two people will decide on the roof, both should be there. Your RainTech rep will go through the photos with you, verify what they found, and talk through your options in person. It saves everyone a second appointment and a lot of "let me explain it to my spouse later."

What to have handy

• Roughly how old the roof is, if you know
• Where any leaks or stains are, and when you first noticed them
• The date of any recent hail or wind storm
• Any paperwork from past repairs or a previous roof warranty
• Your insurance company's name, if you think there's storm damage

A few easy prep steps

• Unlock side gates so we can reach every side of the house
• Put dogs inside for a bit
• Make sure there's a clear path to the attic access if you have a leak
• Move vehicles if they block the driveway side of the house

Step 1: The Ground Walk

We start outside, at ground level. We walk all the way around the house looking at gutters, downspouts, siding, window screens and the yard. Dents in soft metals, granules piling up at downspouts, and pieces of shingle in the grass all tell part of the story before we ever climb a ladder.

Step 2: On the Roof

When it's safe to walk, we get on the roof and check every slope by hand. That includes:

• Shingles: bruising, cracks, curling, missing pieces and bald spots where granules are gone
• Flashing: chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys, where most leaks start
• Pipe boots and vents: cracked rubber collars and dented vents
• Decking: soft or spongy spots underfoot
• Prior repairs: patches, mismatched shingles and sealant doing a flashing's job

If there's been a storm, we mark and count hail hits in test squares and chalk each one so it shows up clearly in photos. Every finding gets photographed.

If the roof isn't safe to walk, because it's wet, icy or very steep, we'll tell you, and we'll document what we can or come back.

Step 3: The Attic (If There's a Leak)

If you have a leak, a stain or a musty smell, we look from inside too. In the attic, we check for wet decking, daylight coming through, water stains and ventilation problems. Finding where water is getting in from below often explains what we saw on top.

Step 4: The Photo Walkthrough

This is the part most people remember. We sit down with everyone who will make the decision and go through the photos together. You see what we saw: the cracked pipe boot, the hail bruise, the lifted shingle, or a roof that's in good shape.

Ask questions here. What is that? How bad is it? What happens if we wait? A good inspector should be able to point to a photo for every answer.

Step 5: A Straight Answer

Every inspection ends with one of four answers:

You only get an itemized written quote if work is actually needed. There's no obligation, and the decision is yours.

How Long It Takes

Most inspections take 30 to 60 minutes on site. Bigger or more complex roofs, or a leak we need to trace into the attic, take longer. Plan on a little extra time for the photo walkthrough and your questions.

If It's Storm Damage

If we find hail or wind damage, the inspection photos become the start of your documentation. We'll walk you through how the claim process works, what your deductible means, and whether there's enough damage to file. If you move forward, we can meet your adjuster on the roof so nothing gets missed. Our guide on photographing storm damage covers what you can document from the ground, too.

What a Good Inspection Is Not

• Not a five-minute look from a ladder. Every slope gets checked, and every finding gets photographed.
• Not pressure. You get the facts and the options, and the decision is yours.
• Not a guess. If someone can't show you a photo of the problem, ask why.
• Not a deductible deal. Anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible is breaking Oklahoma law.

Questions Worth Asking

• Can you show me a photo of that?
• Is this a repair, or does the whole roof need replacing? Why?
• What happens if I wait a year?
• Is this storm damage or normal wear?
• What's included in the quote, line by line?
• What warranty comes with the work?

Our guide to reading a roofing estimate helps if you end up with a quote to compare.

After the Inspection

Keep the photos with your home records. Even if the roof needs nothing today, they're a useful baseline if a storm comes through later. If you got a quote, take your time with it. And if your roof is in good shape, plan on a check every year or two and after any major storm. Our annual maintenance checklist covers what to watch for in between.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Roof Inspections

Is a RainTech roof inspection really free?

Yes. The inspection and the photo report are free, with no obligation. If the roof needs work, you get an itemized written quote, and it's up to you.

How long does a roof inspection take?

Most take 30 to 60 minutes on site. Larger or more complex roofs, or a leak that needs tracing into the attic, take longer.

Do I need to be home for the inspection?

Yes. All decision makers should be home so your RainTech rep can go through the photos with you, verify the findings and present your options in person.

Will you get on my roof?

Yes, whenever it's safe to walk. Hands-on is the only way to feel soft decking, check seals and see hail bruising up close.

What if my roof doesn't need anything?

Then we'll tell you, and you'll have the photos to show it. Plenty of inspections end that way.

Book Your Free Inspection

A hands-on inspection, a photo walkthrough at your kitchen table, and a straight answer. Book a free roof inspection, or learn more on our roof inspection page.

We inspect roofs across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Jenks and Sapulpa.

Related Reading

• What a Roof Inspection Costs in Tulsa
• What a Storm Damage Inspection Covers
• How to Photograph Storm Damage for an Insurance Claim

Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection →

Sources and disclaimer. Information in this article comes from public sources such as the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, Oklahoma statutes and manufacturer certification programs, plus RainTech’s own experience. It was current as of October 9, 2026; laws, insurance rules, manufacturer terms and prices change. This article is general information, not legal, insurance, tax or financial advice.