Can you sell a house with a damaged roof? Roof certifications aren’t stipulated in all purchase contracts. For example, in Sacramento, regulations don’t require that homeowners replace failing roofs before selling, even when some other cities have Truth-in-Housing guidelines governing repairs before resale.
Roof certifications aren’t a buyer’s demand on seller’s markets. However, that depends on the market fluctuations and real estate conditions present at the moment.
Nevertheless, at Bay 101 Roofing we always recommend getting at least a roof inspection once you decide to sell. Better safe than sorry!
What is a roof certification?
Roof certifications and home inspections aren’t the same, but they work together. An expert roofer is qualified to perform a thorough roof inspection, but a home inspector can’t necessarily do it.
Even though, in many places, there are roofing inspectors who climb up on the roof and issue reports on different issues such as:
- Roofing material conditions
- Flashing around roof pipes, chimneys, vents, valleys and mounting of HVAC units
- Possible movement
- Ridges, caps and drip edges
- Soundness of drains, downspouts, and gutters.
Consider this!
- If your roof doesn’t require any repairs, the roofing company will estimate the remaining years of life for the roof and certify its inspection.
- If the roof needs repairs, the roofing company will issue the roof certification once the roof replacement has taken place.
- Roof certifications are usually good for two to five years approximately.
Factors influencing roof inspection and certifications
At the time of a roof inspection, the roof inspector will consider some critical factors such as:
1. Type of roof: Some of the most conventional types of roofing materials are composition shingle, wood shake, clay tile, concrete tile, slate, or metal.
Check our blog post ROOFING GUIDE I: TYPES, ROOFING SUPPLIES, AND TIPS to learn more about the type of roofs.
2. Roof age: The duration of the roof varies depending on the kind of material and the treatment received during its useful life. Tile roofs can last 50 years or more if nobody has walked on them. Wood shakes, for example, require more repairs when they last for more than ten years. On the other hand, composite shingle roofs are often warranted for 20 to 40 years, depending on the quality of the materials.
3. Roof pitch: The pitch is the steepness of a roof. The higher the number; the steeper the roof. Before asking for a roof inspection, consider that some roofing contractors charge extra work if the roof has an extreme pitch.
4. The number of layers: There are some cities with ordinances regarding the number of layers that are allowed on a roof. In California, for example, it’s common to see composition shingles placed directly over wood shake.
5. Previous roof repairs: Some roofing companies refuse to give roof certifications if sellers don’t disclose the previous roof repairs. However, not all states need seller disclosures.
Exclusions to roof certifications:
Some roofing companies don’t honor claims when it’s due to natural disasters, severe weather conditions (including high winds), improperly installed skylights or roof damage caused by foot traffic.
However, natural disasters are generally covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy.
How roof certifications help to sell homes:
The primary purpose of getting a roof certification is to inform a home buyer about the conditions of the roof. It also helps to disclose the roof’s remaining life expectancy and make repairs, if necessary. That is why many home sellers are advised to give a roof certification to the buyer as part of the sales process.
A roof certification is an ace up the seller’s sleeve while giving buyers peace of mind. To prove that the house’s roof is in excellent condition is a key element when buying or selling a property.
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Are you selling your home? Do you need a roof certification? Call our team of roofing experts and get a FREE ROOF INSPECTION. At Bay 101 we will be happy to help you. Contact us!