Roof Certification Inspection in Ohio: What It Is and Who Asks for It

Roof certification vs. a standard home inspection

A home inspection covers the whole house. The roof is one line on a long checklist. InterNACHI's published standards say inspectors check roof coverings, flashing, vents, and chimneys. They work from the ground or eaves. They report active leaks they can see.

The same standards say inspectors need not walk on the roof. They also need not predict its service life or certify it. That gap is why lenders and buyers ask for a second look.

A roof certification is narrower. A roofing professional examines the roof and writes down its condition on that day. NRCIA, a certification vendor, calls it an expert opinion. Vendors sell this product, so treat their pages as one view.

Who asks for a roof certification

Buyers. A buyer may want proof the roof is sound before closing. Agents often suggest it when a roof looks old. Our roof lifespan guide shows how age and wear add up.

Sellers. Ohio sellers complete a residential property disclosure form. Ohio Revised Code 5302.30 lets that form cover the roof's condition. The law says the form is not a warranty of any kind. A certification can back up what you disclosed.

Lenders. Lender rules differ by loan type. For FHA loans, see HUD Handbook 4000.1. It tells the appraiser to flag a roof lacking "a remaining physical life of at least two years." The appraiser must then "make the appraisal subject to inspection by a professional roofer." That is where a roofer's report often comes in. Our copy was revised August 14, 2019. Confirm the current version with your lender. Conventional loans differ. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide (B4-1.3-06) bars sale of loans on C6-rated homes to Fannie Mae. It also says safety, soundness and structural problems must be repaired. The page does not mention roofs by name. We could not open the VA's own roof rule, so ask your VA lender.

Insurers. Some carriers may ask about roof condition. We found no Ohio rule that sets this. Ask your carrier what it accepts. Our leak coverage article covers the policy side.

What the inspection looks at

Scope varies by provider. Ask for the checklist in writing. Typical items match the home inspection list. Think roof covering, flashing, vents, gutters, and the chimney. Signs of active leaks count too. Worn asphalt shingles near the end of life are a common finding.

A roofer may also judge remaining life. That is the part a home inspector skips. Read what to expect from a professional roof inspection for the on-roof steps. We list no fees here. Contractors set their own prices.

Sample certification checklist

Providers use their own forms. This list shows what to expect. The roof items come from InterNACHI's Standards of Practice (section 3.1). The document items come from NRCIA's description of a certification.

Roof items an inspector reviews

• The roof-covering materials.
• Vents, flashing, skylights, the chimney and other roof penetrations.
• The general structure of the roof, from readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.
• Gutters and downspouts.

Limits to ask about

The InterNACHI standard does not require walking on any roof surface. It does not require a water test. It does not require confirming how roof covering is fastened. Snow or debris that blocks the view stays. A roofer's certification may go further, so ask.

What the document should state

• The inspection date. NRCIA says it reflects the roof on that day.
• The roof's current condition.
• An estimate of remaining lifespan.
• The term, "typically valid for two to five years."
• What is excluded. NRCIA says storm or falling limb damage is not covered.

Have ready for the inspector

• The property address and your closing date.
• Who asked for the certification, and which document they need.
• Attic or roof access, and any past repair or leak records you hold.

What affects the cost

We list no fees. No Ohio source we opened states them. NRCIA says cost depends on roof size, pitch and material. Other factors likely matter too. Ask each contractor to quote these in writing:

• Roof size, pitch and material.
• How hard the roof is to reach.
• Whether repairs must be done before the letter is issued.
• The term of the certification.
• Whether a separate warranty is bundled in.
• Renewal. A new term needs another inspection.

How long is a roof certification valid?

Sources disagree. NRCIA's validity article says two to five years, set by the inspector. It says two years is common in home sales. Its comparison page gives both one to five and two to five.

NRCIA also says a two-year certification is common and often meets lender needs. We found no Ohio statute that sets a term. The term is written in your document, so read it.

Do not mix this up with the FHA two-year figure. That is remaining life, not a certificate term. Ask your lender which length it accepts before you pay. NRCIA also says alterations or neglected upkeep can void a certification early.

The home sale roof certification path

Most sales follow the same path. Someone asks, a roofer inspects, and the findings decide what happens next.

Some providers want repairs done before they issue a letter. Others list repairs in the report. Ask which applies.

What happens if the roof fails

A failed roof is a negotiation, not a dead end. The repair list becomes the starting point. The parties can agree on repairs, a credit, a price change, or a new roof. Your purchase contract spells out what each side may do.

Your agent and lender decide what the loan allows. For leaks, see roof leak repair. For a full tear-off, see roof replacement. Permit rules differ by city, so check our Fairfield County permit guide.

A certification is not a warranty

Many buyers assume a multi-year certificate means years of cover. It does not. NRCIA calls it "an expert opinion, not a guarantee." Its validity article says it "doesn't automatically cover" future leak costs.

NRCIA also says a standard certification typically does not cover severe weather damage. Some vendors bundle a separate warranty. Read that contract on its own. Our roof warranty guide explains the types.

How the referral works

Fairfield Peak Roofing is a lead-generation referral service. We are not a roofing contractor. We do not inspect roofs or issue certifications. Independent contractors from our referral network do that work.

1. Tell us the address, your closing timeline, and who asked for the certification.
2. A contractor from our referral network contacts you.
3. Ask if they issue a written certification, for what term, and what it excludes.
4. Get the price and terms from the contractor, not from us.

Not every contractor offers certifications. We cannot guarantee availability. Check availability or call 877-367-1885.

Fairfield County and central Ohio notes

Lancaster is an older city with historic districts. The City of Lancaster has a separate historic review application. If your home sits in one, ask the building department before any re-roof. Older homes may carry slate or metal roofs. Ask whether the inspector knows your roof type.

Pickerington lies partly in Fairfield County and partly in Franklin County. Confirm which building office handles your address. Local pages: Lancaster, Pickerington, and Canal Winchester. See the full roof inspection service page too.

Frequently asked questions

About this page: Fairfield Peak Roofing wrote it. We are a referral service, not a roofer. Learn more about us and read the full disclaimer. No roofer, agent, lender or attorney has reviewed this page.