A roof checklist for home buyers: installation records, leak history, inspection findings, repair scope and warranty transfers.
A roof can look clean from the driveway and still leave important questions unanswered. Before buying, combine the seller’s records with an inspection and a written explanation of any proposed work. Appearance alone does not establish remaining service life.
Take these questions to the inspection
| Question | Useful evidence |
|---|---|
| When was it installed? | Invoice, permit where applicable, product records or installation documentation. |
| Has it leaked or been repaired? | Repair invoices, dates, locations and photos rather than a verbal “all fixed.” |
| What is the covering? | Material and exact product where records identify it; number of layers where inspected. |
| What does the inspection show? | Photos and location-specific findings for covering, flashing, openings, drainage and accessible areas. |
| What happens next? | A defined repair or replacement scope, including limits and concealed-condition procedures. |
| Can warranties transfer? | The actual document, transfer deadline and required notice or registration. |
Look closely at details, not only the full roof
A detail from our San Antonio repair work illustrates why roof-to-wall junctions deserve attention. A photo from another property cannot diagnose the home you are buying.
Keep three decisions separate
| Decision | Who helps establish it |
|---|---|
| Roof condition and construction scope | Qualified inspection and a written roofing proposal. |
| Insurance eligibility or coverage | Your insurer, using its underwriting and policy requirements. |
| Purchase terms and deadlines | Your real-estate and legal advisers, using your actual agreement. |
When the age is unknown
Record that uncertainty instead of converting an estimate into a fact. A roofer can describe observed condition and repairability, but a driveway view is not an installation record. Ask what areas could not be inspected and whether further evaluation is needed.
Keep seller records and inspection photos together.
Ask for explanations of unresolved findings before your decision deadline.
Compare proposals with the same roof areas and included work.
Check warranty-transfer requirements before closing.
Repair or replace: how to compare the scope
Request a roof inspection or written estimate
Source: TAMKO homeowner resources
Source: Warranty documents and transfer provisions
Prepared by Barnes N’ Roofs, New Braunfels, Texas. Reviewed September 18, 2026. Product availability and written manufacturer terms control.